Develop In The Dark

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...

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. No...

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,...

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 - Matt...

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 -...

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 Will...

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 Spiri...

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...

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 Prov...

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 M...

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 Pr...

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 Thessalon...

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...

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...

Show notes:  Brad and Trevor discuss the doctrine of heaven and hell. What will heaven be like? Will all people go there? Is hell a real place? What does Jesus say about hell? How could a loving God send people to hell?  Relevant Bible verses: Isaiah 33:14 Isaiah 66:22 –24 Jeremiah 7:31 –34 Matthew 5:30 Matthew 10:28 Matthew 13:50 Matthew 23:33 Matthew 25:41-46 Romans 2:3-8 1 Thessalonians 1:5-12...

Show notes:  Today, Brad and Trevor talk more specifically about what Jesus accomplished in his death, burial, and resurrection. What has Jesus done to save us? What are the implications of Jesus’ death and resurrection for people already saved? What happens when we bring these truths into our center?  Relevant Bible verses: Isaiah 43:2 Isaiah 52:7-10 Luke 19:10 John 3:16 John 8:29 John 17:4-5 Rom...

Show notes:  Today, Brad and Trevor talk more specifically about what Jesus accomplished in his death, burial, and resurrection. What has Jesus done to save us? What are the implications of Jesus’ death and resurrection for people already saved? What happens when we bring these truths into our center?  Relevant Bible verses: Isaiah 43:2 Isaiah 52:7-10 Luke 19:10 John 3:16 John 8:29 John 17:4-5 Rom...

Show notes:  Salvation is more than a moment. In this episode, Brad and Trevor discuss what it means to be saved and how we can know for sure. What has God done to bring us to Himself? What does it mean that we are predestined, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified? What does it mean to believe and repent? How can we overcome our doubts?  Relevant Bible verses: Matthew 24:13 Colossians 1:23...

Show notes:  In this episode, Brad and Trevor answer the question: “Am I a sinner or a saint?” What is the doctrine of sin? What does it mean to have a new identity in Christ? How does understanding our primary identity in Christ help us overcome our sin?  Relevant Bible verses: Romans 5 Hebrews 10:14 2 Corinthians 5:17 2 Corinthians 3:18 1 John 1:5 - 2 :1 Colossians 2 Romans 7 1 John 3:1-3 For fu...

Show notes:  In this episode, Brad and Trevor discuss the doctrine of Imago Dei. What is the doctrine? What are the implications to human dignity and value? Why is this doctrine so important for us today? Why do you matter? Relevant Bible verses: Genesis 1:26-31 , 5:1-3, 9:6 Psalm 8 Colossians 1:15 For further reading/listening/watching:  “The Weight of Glory” - a collection of essays by C.S. Lewi...

What is the unique content of our Christian faith? In today’s episode, Brad and Trevor discuss the doctrine of the Trinity and its implications. What are some of the misunderstandings about the Trinity? Do we have the right Jesus?  Relevant Bible verses: Genesis 18:1 , 18:9–22, 18:33, 22:11–18; 31:11 Exodus 3:2 –4, 23:20–22 Joshua 6 Judges 13:22 Zech. 12:8 Matthew 3:16-17 Matthew 28:19 Luke 1:35 J...

In today’s episode, Brad and Trevor discuss what it means to be a heretic. Why are so many Christians throwing this label around? Which Christian beliefs are closed-handed and which are open-handed? How do we tell the difference? How do we navigate conversations with believers who disagree with non-essentials of the faith?  Relevant Bible verses: John 3:16 Acts 2:38 Ephesians 2:8-9 Romans 10:9-11...

In episode four, Brad and Trevor discuss the grandeur of God against a culture that idolizes self. What does it mean to have a faith that meets the demands of reality? What is humanism? What is Moral Therapeutic Deism? What are the attributes of God? How do God’s attributes speak to our deepest needs?  Relevant Bible verses: Psalm 19:1 Romans 1:20 Isaiah 6:3 Acts 2:22-34 Isaiah 55:8-9 Psalm 50:12...

In episode three, Brad and Trevor talk about how establishing God’s Word as our authority and foundation for truth is essential. What are some of the reasons the Bible is trustworthy? What is the inner witness of the Holy Spirit? Why is reading the Bible key to an everyday relationship with Jesus?  Relevant Bible verses: Psalm 1 Ephesians 4:11-16 Matthew 7:24-27 2 Tim. 3:14-17 Rom. 8:16 1 Cor. 2:1...