Develop In The Dark

God has called us to reach our friends, families, neighbors, and coworkers with His story. In this final episode of Season Four, Brad and Trevor welcome their good friend Jeremy Jenkins from All Things All People to discuss the practicals of sharing our faith. What are the conversational tools at our disposal? What does it mean to bring our Gospel presence into our everyday life? Today’s episode i...

In this episode, Brad and Trevor welcome Dr. John Dickson to talk about faithfulness, hospitality, and unsung witnesses of the kingdom. John shares the story of his conversion and his teacher’s role in glorifying God through her faithful witness. In this conversation, we discuss how the kingdom moves when ordinary figures step into the sweeping Story of the Gospel to participate in the glory of Go...

In today’s episode of Develop in the Dark, we listen in to a NewSpring staff gathering where Brad Cooper interviews Ken Katayama, the president and CEO of Crossover Global about reaching unreached people groups with the Good News of Jesus Christ. How can we make a difference in God’s global mission?  Links and Sources:  Ken Katayama’s Information:  Follow Ken on Instagram . Crossover Global  Illum...

In today’s episode of Develop in the Dark, Brad and Trevor are joined by Chris Dew and Josh Bull to discuss the importance of “sending” in the life of a disciple and the work of the church. Church planting is such an important part of evangelism. What can we do to contextualize the Gospel for our city?  Links and Sources:  Chris Dew’s Info:  Follow Chris on Instagram.  Ask Chris Dew to speak: Chri...

In today’s episode of Develop in the Dark, Robbie Green, the Network Director for NewSpring Church, joins Brad and Trevor to discuss global and local missions, church planting, and resourcing pastors. Robbie shares his heart to see our church help finish the Great Commission. There are so many Gospel opportunities. We have the challenge from Jesus to be witnesses locally, regionally, and globally....

In today’s episode of Develop in the Dark, Brad Cooper, Trevor Cox, and Jeremy Jenkins continue the topic of evangelism with a discussion on worldview. What is a worldview and why does it matter? What happens when we leave our own worldview unexamined? How do we respond when confronted by the conflicting worldviews around us?  Links and Sources:   Soul Searching – This book by Christian Smith and...

We share the unchanging message of the Gospel in a way that people can understand. This is what Paul meant when he said, “I become all things to all people…” In today’s episode of Develop in the Dark, Brad Cooper, Trevor Cox, and Jeremy Jenkins discuss the art of Gospel contextualization. How do we declare our allegiance to Christ, order our loves, and reach people who don’t look like, sound like,...

In this episode, Brad, Trevor, and Jeremy discuss the training trajectory of the disciples. How did Jesus train the twelve? How did he move them from men with ordinary vocations to extraordinary messengers of the Gospel? How did he get the Gospel in their bones? When we truly understand what Jesus has done, we can’t help but share Him with the world.  Links and Sources:  The Training of the Twelve...

God’s Commission compels us to venture beyond our comfortable life to awaken purpose and meaning. In today’s episode, Brad, Jeremy, and Trevor talk about New Testament realities, the antidote to purposelessness, and the awakening of the Church. Will we awaken to the world beyond the world we live in to experience the great adventure for which we were made?  Links and Sources:  The Hobbit and The L...

In this episode, Brad, Trevor, and Jeremy survey the Biblical story. In it, we find the heart of God’s story, what we should share, why we should share, and how we should share God’s story. We’ve been invited to play a part in His story.  Links and Sources:  The Lausanne Movement’s definition of Evangelism is found in article four of the Lausanne Covenant. Luke 10:9 - “Heal the sick in it and say...

In episode one, Brad Cooper, Trevor Cox, and Jeremy Jenkins discuss the big questions behind sharing our faith in Jesus with others. What opportunities can we find in our cultural moment? Why should we share our faith? And what does it look like to obey the biblical mandate to go and make disciples?  Links and Sources:  For resources from Jeremy Jenkins, go to AllThingsAllPeople.org. Barna Report...

Description:  In this episode of Develop in the Dark, Brad and Trevor conclude season three with a conversation about what’s ahead for the Church. What are our responsibilities to the future Church? As the world grows darker, the opportunities for the Church have never been greater. What should the church expect and how should the church respond? Relevant Bible Verses: Matthew 28:18-20 Matthew 24:...

Description:  In this episode of Develop in the Dark, Brad and Trevor continue the conversation about the Church. What current issues are we facing as a Church? How should the Church respond to these pervading issues? Brad and Trevor discuss deconstruction, spiritual reformation, personal revival, theological purity, and the Church’s role in addressing modern issues. Relevant Bible Verses: 1 & 2 C...

Description:  This week on Develop in the Dark, Brad and Trevor continue their conversation on the beauty of the Church with a sweeping overview of Church history. Why is church history important for those growing in their faith? What are the big moments of church history that affect us today? How can we apply the lessons of history today?   Relevant Bible Verses: Acts  For Further Reading/Listeni...

Description:  This week on Develop in the Dark, Brad and Trevor talk about church government. How does leadership structure help the church flourish? Today’s conversation delves into church organizational models, the church polity of NewSpring, and how an elder or pastor’s personal life overflows into the leadership of the church.  Relevant Bible Verses: Acts 6 Ephesians 1:22 Colossians 1:18 Ezeki...

Description:  In today’s episode, Brad and Trevor discuss the importance of gathering as a church. Why do we gather? What are we supposed to do when we gather? Are weekly gatherings for discipleship of believers or for reaching unbelievers?  Relevant Bible Verses: Matthew 18:20 Acts 2:42-47 Hebrews 10:23-25 1 John 4:12 For Further Reading/Listening/Watching:  The Worship Architect : a book by Cons...

In today’s episode, Brad and Trevor talk about the biblical marks of a true church. There are so many differences in churches, but do those differences really matter? What makes a church a church?  Here are the Marks of a church we discussed:  Jesus  Biblical Teaching The Gathering Ordinances (Baptism and Lord’s Supper) Biblical leadership Church discipline Discipleship and mission Unity and fello...

Description:  In today’s episode, Brad and Trevor discuss how the Bible uses the rich metaphors of bride, body, temple, and family to describe the Church. The metaphors help us understand what it means to be the people of God.  Relevant Bible Verses: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 1 Corinthians 12 Colossians 1:15-18   Ephesians 5:25-31 1 Peter 2:4-5 Revelation 19:7 , 21:2, 21:9, 22:17 For Further Reading/L...

There are so many convictions and opinions about what the Church is and what the Church should be doing. In this season of Develop in the Dark, Brad Cooper and Trevor Cox explore the doctrine of the Church. In today’s episode, Brad and Trevor talk about the Bible’s answer to the question, “What is the Church?”  Relevant Bible Verses: Luke 4:16-21 Matthew 16:13-20 Matthew 22:34-40   Matthew 28:18-2...

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 10:1...

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:  W...

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 Confessio...

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 Cori...

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 D...