John Mark Comer's perspective on becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ involves an apprenticeship relationship featuring three driving goals:

Be with Jesus.

Become like Jesus.

Do what Jesus did.

He argues that everyone is apprenticed to someone, everyone is living by faith in something, and everyone is abiding in some source they are convinced will give them the kind of life they long for. The book is an argument for the wisdom and effectiveness of placing our faith, apprenticing with, and making our home in Christ. This is the source of true life transformation, and this is what it means to be Practicing the Way.

Christians have been called to embrace more than a creed. We are called to embrace a way of life. Comer defines this spiritual formation as "the process of being formed into people of love in Christ."

Truly, there is nothing new in his argument for rigorous habits of holiness and hospitality and seeking the face of God. Therefore, earnest practitioners will need to guard against the same historical risk of lapsing into a DIY spirituality or (even worse) creating a hierarchical Christianity in which the varsity-level believers experience communion with Jesus, and the common folk get nothing but a ticket to heaven.

Comer challenges followers of Jesus to understand and obey what they have signed up for:

"Jesus assumes that his disciples will obey his teachings. Because that's the very nature of discipleship: learning "to obey everything [Jesus has] commanded you. ... An apprentice of Jesus has no other will than the will of God."

I found myself highlighting many passages from the book to use in a spiritual formation class. The author explains the meaning and goals of becoming an apprentice of Jesus. He warns of the costs of calling ourselves disciples without being willing to follow our master.

Well worth the time and cost of acquiring, whether you're exploring spiritual practices, a rule of life, or what it means to submit to the forgiven life you've asked God to gift to you.

My introduction to John Mark Comer came through my 23-year-old son, who shared his podcast with me. Initially, my interest in this book was merely an extension of my curiosity about my son's listening preferences. However, the profound truths conveyed in these pages have left a lasting impact on me. I have highlighted numerous passages as I delved into the author's exploration of what it truly means to be a disciple of Jesus.

The first section, explaining the essence of discipleship, caused me to look at that word differently than I have in the past. Comer offers practical insights across the three segments of the book: Be with Jesus, become like Him, and do as He did. While the simplicity of these concepts is apparent, the author acknowledges the distractions that often divert us from following these three steps.

I encourage anyone who identifies as a Christian to read this book. It has the potential to illuminate misconceptions and provide a clearer understanding of fundamental truths.

Thank you to Waterbrook/Multnomah and NetGalley for this advanced copy.

In this profound work, John Mark Comer extends a compelling invitation to embark on a transformative journey as apprentices of Jesus. With clarity and depth, Comer dismantles the misconceptions prevalent in modern Western Christianity, illuminating a path to rediscover Jesus as our Rabbi. He beckons us to embrace the ancient Rabbinic tradition of not merely following, but intimately knowing and learning from our Rabbi, Jesus.

In navigating the complexities of our distracted age, Comer offers invaluable insights into spiritual formation, urging us to transition from passive consumption to active pursuit of spiritual growth. He challenges the narrow view of salvation solely as deliverance from sin's consequences, unveiling a richer, more dynamic understanding—one that encompasses our present healing and transformation.

Central to Comer's vision is the concept of a Rule of Life—a deliberate framework of practices designed to shield us from life's entropy and cultivate spiritual fruitfulness. Through nine foundational practices, he empowers us to craft rhythms that align us with the transformative power of the Trinity.

In closing, Comer graciously directs readers to accessible resources for crafting their own Rule of Life, inviting them to embrace a life of joy, peace, and freedom in the profound and liberating Way of Jesus.

This book puts together in a very readable volume the best of JMC teaching on following Jesus. He speaks to three goals: Be With Jesus, Become Like Him, and Do as he did. I’m motivated now to take time to design a Rule of Life. His encouragement to make progress slowly and when I fall (we all fall) to repent and get up again was very refreshing. The quote that keeps running through my mind, “progress is made through death to self, not by climbing some kind of ladder of spiritual success.” I highly recommend this book.

In his typical style, Comer expertly marries theory and practice. He not only explains concepts in easy to understand ways, he tells you how to put the concepts into practice. Encouraging, convicting, and compelling. It’s as if he were walking you through it in person. The church needs this book. Christians need this book. Discipleship needs this book. In our modern age, we need something different. Following Jesus is what we need. This book will help us along the way.
I received a digital copy from NetGalley. I was in no way required to write a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

If he writes it, I am going to read it. I absolutely adored everything that this book had to offer. As a clergy member, I definitely found value in all of the content within this book and it made me sit back and reflect on what I was reading more than once.

Overall, if you need to reset your life with a deep breath of fresh air -- give this book a try and see how it helps!

For anyone who wants to become a disciple of Jesus or take the next steps of apprenticing under Jesus, this book is a must read. It not only provides rich theological and historical insights on what it means to be a disciple but perhaps more importantly offers the practical "how to's" of apprenticing under Jesus. Full of humor, cultural commentary, biblical insights, and application for the modern world, this book is worth your time.

Can’t recommend. Too many things I majorly disagree with as well as his delivery of the content. There are okay aspects but so many red flags and slippery slopes mixed in.

Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I love john mark comer and was lucky to hear him speak this year. His words on Jesus and knowing him and becoming more like him were so great. I'd read anything he wrote!

Another excellent book my John Mark Comer. I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy through Net Galley, and this is definitely a “must buy the hard copy” book. This book will point you back to Jesus in the best ways.

This title is not to be read in one or even several sittings. Practicing the Way should be savored and thoughtfully devoured. John Mark Comer has created a written format of his podcasts and laid out each of the practices in an encouraging way to the reader and future apprentice to start where you are. A great resource to any Christian wanting to continue developing their relationship with Jesus and learning how to be more like him. Highly recommended to anyone wanting to deepen their faith and walk.

I received an ARC ebook from NetGalley and the publisher, Waterbrook & Multnomah Publishers, in exchange for an honest review.

Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer is a deep, yet accessible book centered around spiritual formation and how we can follow Jesus wholeheartedly. I loved how the author wove together church history and spiritual parents with modern authors, psychology, and our culture. This powerful book was convicting and made me long to follow Jesus as an apprentice. I found it to be well written and had to fight between savoring the book and continuing to read to learn, grow, and deepen my relationship with the Lord. After reading this eARC, I promptly ordered a hard copy to linger over and implement the practices in my own life. I'm excited for my husband and/or others in my real life to read this book so we can consider it together.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

This book is thoughtful and challenging -- the best kind when it comes to spiritual growth books. I enjoyed reading the quick, short chapters and found myself highlighting chunks of text. It has shaped my spiritual formation more than I thought it would, and I find myself coming back to things I highlighted or thinking about the concepts in the book over and over. I've recommended it to everyone I know! If you're looking to understand more about what it means to be a disciple OR how to "come and follow" Jesus, this book is for you!

John Marc Comer manages to create an approachable and accessible pathway for discipleship to Christ without ever losing its importance and gravity.
I particularly felt arrested and have not been able to stop thinking about the concept of the inevitable becoming nature of living. We don’t decide whether we become/transform into or conform to something, but we do get to choose what that thing — person — is, by the daily rituals and routines we fill our lives with. The idea is both terrifying and empowering. It’s even more reassuring that in the case become in the likeness of Christ, we don’t have to do it alone or solely rely on our own discipline abilities.
In this book Comer gives practical ways to start or take our efforts more seriously and see more success from them.

Ok, so to be honest I struggled with this book when I first picked it up.

The opening was a little off-putting? Jesus can solve all your problems… isn't that an over simplification?

But as I kept reading, the message became more clear. You will have problems; but be with Jesus, be like Jesus, and do like Jesus did. You will find the answers to those problems.

"It's less of a transaction and more of a transformation."

This is a book that many people could read over and over and over; it's incredibly dense and thought-provoking, and I can't pretend I comprehended all of it. At the same time, there is something for every Follower of Jesus: Be-ers, Imitators, Doers.

Amazing and powerful book!
It has so many insights to help us in our daily walk with Jesus. It makes so clear the difference between a christian and a disciple of Jesus.
A powerful and needed resource for everyone that wants to know more about Jesus!

It's quite hard to summarise this book in a few lines for review purposes, simply because it is such an excellent piece of work. But here goes.

I expect this is the book Comer has been wanting to write for years. The deepening of his faith, his experiences at Bridgetown Church and then his business 'Practicing the Way' and his ferocious appetite for learning and reading have all led to the book.

Comer writes in an easy to understand manner. It's active, so he's always encouraging the reader to respond to his words. Using short sentences with plenty of space, he challenges the reader to consider their own relationship with Jesus and how to deepen it.

How? By apprenticing oneself to Jesus.

He doesn't shy away from saying that this will require change and eliminating certain things in our lives, but that's part of what surrendering our lives to Jesus involves. He appreciates that it's hard and not everyone will do it, hence, why there aren't more Jesus apprentices wandering the earth.

Comer provides a path to follow with guidelines regarding 9 practices that will help people to apprentice themselves. In addition, his vast reading library provides some excellent references and support for his words and recommendations.

But what I like most about this book is that Comer has walked that path (he's still walking it because it never stops) and as s such is a walking demonstration that such a life is possible.

I initially received an early ebook copy of the book from the publisher via Net Galley but I'd already ordered my own copies and 10 more for friends so it clearly had a positive effect on me.

I suspect this book will be being read by our children and grandchildren in years to come.

I will read anything written by John Mark Comer - everything I have read of his is based in scripture and wisdom, and Practicing the Way is no exception.
This book is a list of truths that often hit straight between the brows, addressing the problem of spiritual formation in a practical and beautiful way:
"For those of us who desire to follow Jesus, here is the reality we must turn and face: If we’re not being intentionally formed by Jesus himself, then it’s highly likely we are being unintentionally formed by someone or something else."
The author doesn't just present the gospel in romantic terms, but gives readers practical wisdom in what it looks like following Jesus and being spiritually formed by Him in our every day ordinary lives. He outlines daily rhythms and habits we can practice and create to become who we were created to be.

Thank you to Netgalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah for the ARC!

John Mark Comer in Practicing The Way has provided a transformative and vital book for Christian communities. Recognizing that all are being shaped and formed, Comer speaks to ways we can be formed to be more like Jesus. Focusing on how one can be with Jesus, become like him, and do as he did, stands the journey of becoming apprentices that take up the cross to follow Jesus well. This remains the beautiful challenge.

Comer challenges readers with the beauty of walking like Jesus, recognizing the difficulties believers will face in the 21st-century cultural, technological, and divisive climate. Practically, Comer seeks to provide readers with tools to begin this apprenticeship by reading scripture, developing a rule of life, and understanding the cost of non-discipleship. The cry to be like Jesus has never been more real and comer transcends divisions to provide this work of pure beauty.

However, the longevity of this work in the minds of readers will depend on the readers decisions. Comer desires readers to follow Jesus well and who knows where following the Rabbi will take each apprentice. That is the beautiful journey.