Develop In The Dark

In the last episode of season two, Brad and Trevor discuss the spiritual discipline of testimony. Many believe that evangelism is unnecessary or extreme. In reality, evangelism is essential for every believer, and sharing our faith has the potential to grow us spiritually unlike any other discipline. 

Relevant Bible verses:

• Matthew 9:37-38
• Matthew 28:18-20
• Mark 16:15
• John 4:39
• Acts 1:8
• Romans 10:17
• 1 Peter 3:15

For further reading/listening/watching: 

• 10 Who Changed the World - a book by Danny Akin
• How to Talk about Jesus (Without Being That Guy): Personal Evangelism in a Skeptical World - a book by Sam Chan
• Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies - a book by Hillary Morgan Ferrer
• The Soul Winner - a book by C.H. Spurgeon
• The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism - a book by Tim Keller

Today, Brad and Trevor discuss the spiritual discipline of serving. Serving grows our spiritual muscles in ways no other spiritual practice can. How and why did Jesus serve? How does serving change us? 

Relevant Bible verses:

• Proverbs 11:25
• Matthew 20:28
• Luke 8:1-3
• John 2:1-11
• John 13:1-20
• 1 Corinthians 12:7
• Philippians 2:1-11
• James 2:14-26
• 1 Peter 4:10 

For further reading/listening/watching: 

• Why Serving in the Church is So Important - an article from NewSpring Church
• Be Diligent: Serving Others as You Walk with the Master Servant - A commentary on the book of Mark by Warren Weirsbe
• Real Life - a 6-session bible study on RightNow media from Akshay Rajkumar 
• The Radical Disciple: Some Neglected Aspects of Our Calling - a book by John Stott
• Lead like Christ: Reflecting the Qualities and Character of Christ in Your Ministry - a book by A.W. Tozer

Today, Brad and Trevor discuss the spiritual discipline of confession and repentance. What is the difference between confession and repentance? Why and how do confession and repentance work? If we sin against God, why should we confess to each other? 

Relevant Bible verses:

• 1 Corinthians 13:12
• Hebrews 7:27
• 1 John 1:8–10
• James 5:16

For further reading/listening/watching: 

• The Truth about Confession and Repentance - an article by NewSpring Church
• How to Respond When Someone Confesses - an article from NewSpring Church 
• Freedom in Christ - a video course from Steve Goss 
• What is Repentance? - a book by R.C. Sproul
• Repentance: What it Means to Repent and Why We Must Do So - a book by J.C. Ryle
• The Confessions of St. Augustine - a reflection by St. Augustine
• Deeper: Real Change for Real Sinners - a book by Dane Ortlund
• A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society - a book by Eugene Peterson

Today, Brad and Trevor discuss the spiritual discipline of giving. What is the tithe? What is an offering? How does the Bible talk about stewardship and generosity? How does giving help us grow? 

Relevant Bible verses:

• Genesis 1:1
• Genesis 1:26-30
• Genesis 4:1-7
• Genesis 14:17-24
• Genesis 28:20-22
• Leviticus 27:30–34
• Numbers 10:35-39
• 1 Chronicles 29:14-17
• Psalm 24:1
• Malachi 3:6-10
• Matthew 23:23
• 2 Corinthians 8:7

For further reading/listening/watching: 

• Go to newspring.cc/finances for practical resources on financial stewardship. 
• The Rise of Christianity: How the Obscure, Marginal Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force in the Western World in a Few Centuries – a book Rodney Stark
• Kingdom Stewardship – a book by Tony Evans
• The Treasure Principle: Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving – a book by Randy Alcorn
• Every Good Gift – a book by Ann Voskamp

Description: 

Today, Brad and Trevor discuss the spiritual discipline of gathering as a church. What is the church? Why does it matter? Does a Christian have to gather in person to be part of the Church? 

Relevant Bible verses:

• Matthew 16:18
• Acts 2:42-47
• Hebrews 10:19-25 
• 1 Peter 2:4-5
• 1 Corinthians 12

For further reading/listening/watching: 

• The Worship Architect, 2nd Edition : A Blueprint for Designing Culturally Relevant and Biblically Faithful Services – a book by Constance Cherry
• The Church: Living Faithfully as the People of God – a book by A.W. Tozer
• The Centrality of the Church: Practicing the Ways of God with the People of God – a book by Tony Evans
• Church History in Plain Language and accompanying workbook – by Bruce Shelley
• Sacramental Discourses – a collection of sermons on the Lord’s Supper by Puritan John Owen
• What is the Lord’s Supper? – a book by R.C. Sproul
• Sermons on the Lord’s Supper – a collection of sermons on the Lord’s Supper by C.H. Spurgeon

Today, Brad and Trevor discuss the spiritual discipline of the Sabbath. What is the Sabbath? Why does it matter? Should Christians observe the Sabbath? How? 

Relevant Bible verses:

• Genesis 2:1-3 
• Exodus 16:23 
• Exodus 20:8 
• Exodus 23: 10-12 
• Exodus 31:12-17 
• Deuteronomy 5:15
• Psalm 92 
• Isaiah 56 
• Matthew 11:28-30
• Matthew 12:1-8 
• Colossians 2:16-17
• Hebrews 3-4
• Revelation 14:11-13

For further reading/listening/watching: 

• Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms – Justin Earley
• The Unhurried Life – a book by Alan Fadling
• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry – a book by John Mark Comer
• Sabbath– a short video by Bible Project
• Deeper and Gentle and Lowly – books by Dan Ortland
• Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God's Work a book by Tim Keller
• Work as Worship - a video study series on RightNow Media by Nona Jones
• Garden City: Work, Rest, and the Art of Being Human – a book by John Mark Comer

In today’s episode, Brad and Trevor talk about the disciplines of solitude, silence, and simplicity. How do these disciplines help us become more like Jesus? 

Relevant Bible verses:

• Psalm 46:10
• Psalm 23
• Lamentations 3:22-28
• Luke 5:16
• Mark 1:12-13
• Matthew 14:13

For further reading/listening/watching: 

• The Way of the Heart: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers - a book by Henri J.M. Nouwen
• Celebration of Discipline - a book by Richard Foster
• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry - a book by John Mark Comer
• The Unhurried Life - a book by Alan Fadling
• Thoughts in Solitude - a book by Thomas Merton
• Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian Community - a book by Deitrich Bonhoeffer

In today’s episode, Brad and Trevor talk about the spiritual discipline of fasting. Why do Christians fast? And what does it look like to abstain from the physical nourishment and satisfaction of food for a time as a personal and corporate spiritual discipline? 

Relevant Bible verses:

• James 4:8
• 2 Chronicles 16:9
• John 4:34
• Isaiah 55:1-2
• John 6:25-35
• Philippians 3:17-21
• John 1:4, 3:16, 5:24, 6:35, 8:12, 10:10, 11:25, 14:6, 17:3, 20:31
• Revelation 21:4
• Luke 10:9, 17:20-21
• Acts 13:2-3, Acts 14:23

A partial list of fasts in the Bible: 

• When seeking God’s direction on important decisions (Acts 13:2-3, Acts 14:23)
• As an act of whole-hearted devotion to the Lord (Luke 2:37)
• To gain ministry effectiveness and power (Matthew 17:21)
• When experiencing spiritual warfare (Matthew 4:2)
• When grieving over sin and leading people to repentance (Psalm 35:13, Ezra 8:21-23, Nehemiah 9:1, Daniel 10:2-3, and Jonah 3:5-9)
• When meeting with God (Deuteronomy 9:9, 1 Kings 19)
• In the face of impending calamity (2 Chronicles 20:1-12, Esther 4:3)
• To experience a spiritual breakthrough (Nehemiah 1:4, Daniel 9:3, Esther 4:16)

For further reading/listening/watching: 

• God’s Chosen Fast by Arthur Wallis
• Sermon Series on Fasting by John Mark Comer
• Fasting Resources from Church of the Highlands
• Fasting: The Key to Spiritual Victory - a video series by Tony Evans
• NewSpring Resources on Fasting
• Hunger for God: Desiring God through Fasting and Prayer - a book by John Piper

In today’s episode, Brad and Trevor talk about a helpful model for prayer using the Old Testament Tabernacle. 

Relevant Bible verses:

• Exodus 33:7-11, Hebrews 8:5
• The Gates - Psalm 100
• The Brazen Altar - Hebrews 10:1-18, 1 Peter 2:24
• The Laver - John 13:9
• The Lampstand - Hebrews 9:2, 1 Peter 2:9
• The Altar of Incense - Ps. 141:2
• The Bread of Presence - Exodus 16, John 6
• The Holy of Holies - Matthew 27:50-51, Hebrews 9:7

For further reading/listening/watching: 

• The Primacy of Prayer - a sermon by Tim Keller
• Power Through Prayer - a free book by E.M. Bounds
• Prayer - a book by Richard Foster
• Prayer - a book by Timothy Keller
• Creative Prayer - a devotional classic by Brigid Emily Herman
• Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home a book by Richard Foster
• Tabernacle Prayer Guide from Highlands Church

In today’s episode, Brad and Trevor talk about cultivating an everyday relationship with God through the spiritual discipline of prayer. 

Relevant Bible verses:

• Matthew 6:5-15 (The Lord’s Prayer)
• John 15:15
• Ephesians 6:10-20
• 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
• James 5:13-18

For further reading/listening/watching: 

• The Primacy of Prayer - a sermon by Tim Keller
• When You Pray: A Study of Six Prayers in the Bible - a book by Kelly Minter, Jackie Hill Perry, Jen Wilkin, Jennifer Rothschild, Jada Edwards, and Kristi McLelland
• The Complete Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer
• Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible - a book by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
• Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God - a book by Tim Keller
• Going Higher with God in Prayer: Cultivating a Lifelong Dialogue - audiobook by A.Z. Tozer
• The Practice of Prayer - a video series on RightNow by John Mark Comer
• The Efficacy of Prayer - an essay by C.S. Lewis