Vision For Life

In our second Spring book club episode, Hunter and Autumn discuss chapters 4–6 of Knowing God by J. I. Packer. Packer reminds us that our understanding of God must be shaped by how He has revealed Himself rather than by our own imagination or preferences. Packer introduces theological ideas, from the second commandment to the incarnation and the work of the Spirit, showing that sound theology is meant to lead us to know the triune God himself.

Description: In the first Spring Book Club episode on _Knowing God_ by J. I. Packer, Hunter and Autumn discuss chapters 1–3 and the crucial difference between knowing about God and truly knowing Him. Packer shows how theology, when rightly pursued, fuels devotion rather than pride, inviting us beyond information into relationship. Drawing from Scripture and the example of Daniel, we consider what it actually looks like to know God and how that knowing has the potential to reshape an entire life.

In this episode, we welcome Tyler Hayes to our staff team and to the podcast! Tyler joined our team in December 2025 as the Worship and Arts Pastor at Fellowship Denver North Metro. In today’s podcast, Autumn, Hunter, and Tyler discuss the meaning and purpose of the Lenten season, its roots in the church calendar, and why preparation matters as we journey toward Easter. The conversation reflects on Lent as a season of consecration, confession, and formation—naming the things that lead to death so we can more fully receive the life Jesus offers in the resurrection.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Fellowship Denver Lent Guide

In this episode, we read and summarize a popular post about the “soft life,” sent to us by a podcast listener. The post purports that the promises of wellness and self-care often depend on privilege and discretionary resources. Through a Christian lens, we ask whether an overemphasis on comfort actually forms resilient, virtuous people—or simply offers a means of avoidance. The conversation ultimately re-frames the good life not as something curated through the wellness industry, but as something made available to all through wisdom, sacrifice, and life together in the body of Christ.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Knowing God by J. I. Packer

The Hidden Privilege in 'The Soft Life' No One Wants to Talk About by Israa Nasir (@well.guide on Instagram)

In this episode, Autumn sits down with pastors Rich and Hunter for a beginning-of-the-year Fellowship Denver family meeting. Together, they look ahead to 2026, discussing Fellowship’s priorities and how God may be calling this community to grow in generosity, prayer, and dependence on the Spirit.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

David F Watson response to James Talarico

Justin Giboney response to James Talarico

Navigation Spiritualized; Or a New Compass for Seamen by John Flavel

Renaissance Faith by Hunter Beaumont

Autumn’s sweater

In this episode, Hunter and Autumn discuss Fellowship Denver Church’s current sermon series on new life in Christ, a central New Testament theme that is often under-emphasized in contemporary American Christianity. They consider why understanding new birth is essential for experiencing the love of Jesus and the fullness of the Spirit, for pursuing spiritual formation and faithful living, and for understanding the nature of eternal life.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Knowing God by J. I. Packer

Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer

Fellowship Denver Sermons

In this episode, pastors Clark Nunnelly and Hunter Beaumont join the podcast to discuss A Heart Aflame for God by Matthew Bingham and explore what “spiritual formation” means within a Reformed framework. They unpack Bingham’s central claim that true spiritual formation is rooted in and fueled by Scripture and aimed at engaging the heart through the mind. They consider why many believers crave greater depth, how historic Reformed practices like Scripture reading, meditation, and prayer address that hunger, and why going deeper into Scripture is the path to lasting formation.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

A Heart Aflame for God: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation by Matthew Bingham

The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life In God – The Masterful Guide to Apprenticing to Jesus and Authentic Christian Faith by Dallas Willard

Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus. Become like him. Do as he did. by John Mark Comer

Answering God: The Psalms as a Tool for Prayer by Eugene Peterson

Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster

In this episode, Autumn and Hunter reflect on the simple but formative question: how do we actually spend time with God? Hunter shares his personal format for Bible reading, prayer, and journaling, which he learned from a mentor many years ago. As 2025 draws to a close and a new year begins, they invite listeners to ask what they learned, what they might do differently, and what they’re carrying into the new year.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Quiet Time: A Guide to Daily Renewal by Bill Smith

M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan

Daily Life with God Recommended Resources

In part two of our “Best Books of the Year” conversation, Hunter and Autumn share their favorite reads as categorized within general interest, children’s books, and fiction and literature, reflecting on the stories that stuck with them this year. From critiques of modern discourse and meditations on land and interdependence to novels of grace, friendship, and moral awakening, these books ask what it means to live well and love rightly.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

General Interest:

Summer of our Discontent: The Age of Certainty and the Demise of Discourse by Thomas Chatterton Williams

A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon by Kevin Fedarko

From Strength to Strength by Arthur Brooks

Children’s:

We Sing! and Pippa and the Singing Tree by Kristyn Getty

Colorado: 50 Hikes With Kids by Wendy Gorton and Kristin Tillack

Fiction and Literature:

Lord of the Rings (3 Vols.) by J.R.R. Tolkien - Fiction and Literature

Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis

Silas Marner: The Weaver of Raveloe by George Eliot

Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger

Master and Commander by Patrick O’Brian

Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather

Small Things Like These by Clare Keegan

Hunter and Autumn reflect on the best books they read in 2025, ranging from classic and contemporary works of theology and biblical studies to multi-volume biographies and history. They discuss books that deepened their understanding of God, Scripture, prayer, the church, and spiritual formation, alongside histories that explore power, leadership, and legacy.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Spiritual Life:

Knowing God by J.I. Packer

Isaiah by the Day by J. Alec Motyer

A Heart Aflame for God: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation by Matthew Bingham

Theology and Bible:

Calling On the Name of the Lord: A Biblical Theology of Prayer by Gary Miller

What It Means to be Protestant by Gavin Ortlund

The Reason for Church by Brad Edwards

Biography and History:

The Years of Lyndon Johnson (4 Vols.) by Robert Caro

The Gathering Storm & Their Finest Hour by Winston S. Churchill

Napoleon by Andrew Roberts

Also mentioned:

The Reformation as Renewal by Matthew Barrett

“Renaissance Faith: My Best Books of 2025” by Hunter Beaumont