Develop In The Dark

In today’s episode, Brad and Trevor talk about the spiritual discipline of Bible reading, meditation, memorization, and study. 

Relevant Bible verses:

• Psalm 1
• Psalm 19:7-11
• Psalm 119:11
• John 5:39-40
• John 8:31-47
• John 10:4
• John 10:16
• John 10:27
• John 17:17
• Romans 12:1-2
• 2 Timothy 3:16-17

For further reading/listening/watching: 

• Bible reading plans
• The Daily - NewSpring app
• Hearing God by Dallas Willard
• Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds - Jen Wilkin

In this episode, Brad and Trevor talk about the danger of becoming a spiritual curmudgeon, how to stir affection for Jesus, and adopting a common rule. 

Relevant Bible verses:

• Philippians 2:12-13
• Ephesians 4:20-24
• Ephesians 5:1

For further reading/listening/watching:

• The Common Rule by Justin Earley
• Dallas’ personal daily practices - Dallas Willard

In today’s episode, Brad and Trevor talk about what it means to be a disciple. Why do spiritual disciplines work? What is the biblical basis for spiritual disciplines? Why does consistency over time matter? 

Relevant Bible verses:

• 1 Timothy 4:7-10
• 1 Corinthians 11:1
• Hebrews 12:11-13
• 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

For further reading/listening/watching: 

• Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
• The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard
• Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life - Donald Whitney
• Habits of Grace - a free downloadable book on Spiritual Disciplines by David Mathis
• The Cross of Christ - John Stott

Description: 

In today’s episode, Brad and Trevor talk about the essential elements that produce spiritual growth. The Dallas Willard Triangle has proven to be an effective tool to help demystify the process of growth. What is a spiritual discipline? How do we partner with the Holy Spirit in our growth? 

Relevant Bible verses:

• 2 Corinthians 3:18
• Galatians 6:9

For further reading/listening/watching: 

• The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard (The Triangle is from this book!)
• Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard
• Soul Keeping by John Ortberg
• A Long Obedience In The Same Direction - Eugene Peterson

In this season of Develop in the Dark, Brad Cooper and Trevor Cox discuss spiritual disciplines. In today’s episode, Brad and Trevor talk about the frustration of being stuck in our spiritual growth. How do we move from the guilt and shame of false starts into the consistent friendship with God offered through consistent spiritual practices? 

Relevant Bible Verses:

• Mark 1:35-39
• Proverbs 13:20
• Proverbs 27:17 

For Further Reading/Listening/Watching: 

• The Great Omission by Dallas Willard
• Ordering Your Private World by Gordon McDonald
• Intimacy With God - A Sermon by Tony Evans

Show notes: 

In this bonus episode, Brad and Trevor discuss Jesus as Prophet, Priest, and King. What does Messiah mean? How do these roles or offices help define the role Jesus came to fulfill? How do the concepts of prophet, priest, and king tie the Old Testament to the New? What application does this have for us in our everyday relationship with God? 

Relevant Bible verses:

• John 4:25
• Luke 4:18
• Matthew 24-25
• Genesis 14:17-24
• Psalm 110
• Hebrews 7-9
• 2 Samuel 7
• Matthew 2:1-12
• Revelation 19:16
• 1 John 2:20

For further reading/listening/watching: 

• The Offices of Christ - an article by Barry Cooper
• Jesus: King, Prophet, Priest - a sermon by Alistair Begg
• Jesus, the Royal Priest - a 6-minute video by Bible Project
• The Royal Priesthood - a 5-minute video by Bible Project
• Prophet, Priest, and King: The Roles of Christ in the Bible and Our Roles Today - a book by Richard Belcher
• King’s Cross: The Story of the World in the Life of Jesus - a book by Tim Keller

Show notes: 

In this bonus episode, Brad and Trevor wrestle with the theology of war. What is the theory of Just War? How does the Imago Dei and “turn the other cheek” apply in our lives today? Should Christians be pacifists? What role should Christians play in restraining evil or protecting the innocent? What is the role of civil government?

Relevant Bible verses:

• Genesis 1:26-27
• Genesis 9:5-6
• Proverbs 24:11-12
• Matthew 5:9
• Matthew 5:38-48
• Matthew 22:15-22
• Matthew 26:52
• Luke 22:35-38
• John 18:10-11
• Romans 12:9-21
• Romans 13:1-7
• 1 Thessalonians 5:15
• 1 Peter 2:13-25
• Revelation 19:11-15

For further reading/listening/watching: 

• War, Peace, and Violence: Four Christian Views - a book edited by Paul Copan
• Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy - a book by Eric Metaxas
• Why I Am Not A Pacifist - an audio essay by C.S. Lewis
• Contra Faustum Manichaeum (Book XXII sections 69–76) - Treatise by St. Augustine
• Did Jesus Teach Pacifism? - an article by Matt Perman for Desiring God
• Fight: A Christian Case for Nonviolence - a book by Preston Sprinkle
• A Case for Christocentric Nonviolence - an article by Preston Sprinkle
• On Non-Violence/ History & Just War - a conversation with John Mark Comer, Preston Sprinkle and others.

Show notes: 

Brad and Trevor overview the doctrine of end times. What does the future hold for the believer? What are the essentials and non-essentials for Christians to believe? How do our beliefs about the future affect the present? 

Relevant Bible verses:

• Matthew 24-25
• Mark 13:19-20, 24-27
• Acts 1:9-11
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
• Revelation 20:1-3
• Verses with “Parousia” - Matthew 24:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 8; James 5:7–8; 2 Peter 3:4, 12; 1 John 2:28
• “The Day” or “Day of the Lord” - Rom. 13:12; 1 Cor. 3:13; Heb. 10:25, Phil. 1:10; 2:16, 1 Thes. 5:2; 2 Thes. 2:2, 1 Cor. 5:5; 2 Cor. 1:14, Phil. 1:6, 1 Cor. 1:8, 2 Pet. 3:12

For further reading/listening/watching: 

• “Apocalyptic Literature” - a video from Bible Project.
• “How to Read Revelation” - a video from Bible Project.
• “A Night of Eschatology” - a video from Desiring God.
• “Look Up: Awaiting the Rapture and our Final Redemption” - a book by Jimmy Evans
• “Surprised by Hope” - a book by N.T. Wright.
• “Dispensationalism” - a book by Charles Ryrie
• “The Restoration of All Things” - a book by Sam Storms
• “The Last Days According to Jesus” - a video series on RightNow by R.C. Sproul

Show notes: 

Brad and Trevor discuss the doctrine of the church. How does the Bible describe the Church and her mission? What is the purpose of the Church and why is the Church still beautiful? Is the Church worth it? 

Relevant Bible verses:

• Matthew 16:18
• Ephesians 4:11-16
• 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12:3-8, 1 Peter 4:10
• Hebrews 10:24-25
• 1 Corinthians 3:9-17
• Acts 2:42-47
• Colossians 3:15
• Ephesians 2:19-20
• Ephesians 5:25-26
• 1 Peter 5:1-5

For further reading/listening/watching: 

• “Letters to the Church” - an audio book by Francis Chan
• “Life Together” - a book by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
• “Communio Sanctorum” - a Church history podcast by Lance Ralston
• “Mentor Like Jesus: His Radical Approach to Building the Church” - a book by Regi Campbell
• “A Place to Belong” - an audio book by Megan Hill
• “Church: Why Bother?” - a book by Philip Yancy

Show notes: 

Brad and Trevor discuss the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Who is the Holy Spirit and what does the Holy Spirit do? What does it mean to worship in Spirit and truth? Why is the Holy Spirit controversial? 

Relevant Bible verses:

• Psalm 16:11
• Luke 1:41, Luke 1:67, Luke 4:1
• John 14:26, John 16:13
• Acts 4:8, Acts 4:31, Acts 6:3-5, Acts 7:55, Acts 9:17, Acts 11:24, Acts 13:9, Acts 13:52
• Rom. 8:5-11, Romans 8:26-27, Romans 15:13
• 1 Cor. 2:10-13, 1 Cor. 12:13
• 2 Cor. 3:17
• Galatians 5:16-26
• Ephesians 3:19, 4:21-24, 5:18

For further reading/listening/watching: 

• “The Unseen Realm” - an audio book Michael Heisler
• “The Helper: Unfolding the Work of the Holy Spirit” - a sermon by Tony Evans
• “Practicing the Power: Welcoming the Gifts of the Holy Spirit” - a book by Sam Storms
• “Why I am a Continuationist” - an article by Sam Storms
• “Forgotten God” - a book by Francis Chan