Let's Talk

In this special edition episode, Collin Hansen is joined by Melissa Kruger as they look back on the big stories and trends of 2022, discuss how God has moved in and through their ministries, and share books that have stuck with them. They also take some time to thank you, their listeners, for encouraging them in the work of Gospelbound and Let's Talk.To listen to the full episode on the Gospelbound podcast, click here. 

In this episode of Let's Talk, recorded live at TGCW22 in Indianapolis, Jackie Hill Perry, Jasmine Holmes, and Melissa Kruger discuss gratitude—why we struggle with it and how to cultivate it in our lives.If you've ever struggled to be thankful, listen in to this conversation for practical wisdom on walking in gratitude.Note: This is the final episode of Let's Talk. We've had a great time making this podcast for three seasons, and we're grateful to all of you for listening! Check out more episodes of Let's Talk and other podcast shows from TGC at tgc.org/podcasts. 

On this final episode of season 3 of Let's Talk, Jackie Hill Perry, Jasmine Holmes, and Melissa Kruger answer listener questions that range all over the place, including:What's a tip for improving communication in marriage?DIY, yes or no?What women's events have impacted you?Why don't we talk about women and porn use in the church?Do you like sports?What's the remedy for compassion fatigue?Do you all feel pressure to comment on social media about what's happening in the world?What are practical ways to get time away from your kids?How do you talk about sex in marriage?How do you cope with seasons of loneliness?What song do you want sung at your funeral?How do you start a conversation when you're seated next to someone at a dinner party?We hope you've enjoyed this season of Let's Talk!Mentioned in this episode:Does the God of the Bible Hate Women?In the Throne Room: The God of Holiness and Hope‘The Church in Her House’: The Dynamic Ministry of Women in Early Christianity"Total Praise" by Richard Smallwood

What is idolatry in our day? The people of Israel were tempted to bow down to literal idols, and in many parts of the world, literal idols and effigies are still believed to hold enormous power. But in the post-Christian West, idolatry—though harder to define—is just as prevalent.On this episode of Let's Talk, Jackie Hill Perry, Jasmine Holmes, and Melissa Kruger talk about how and why we are tempted to make idols. Although some may think we slip into idolatry when we want too much, Jackie says that, actually, “Idolatry is wanting too little.” When we make idols, she says, we're looking to something that has been created to deliver us. But we need to look higher, above what is created to our Creator.Mentioned in this Episode:The Expulsive Power of a New Affection by Thomas ChalmersRelated Resources:Sin as Idolatry (essay)How to Expose the Idols in Your LifeJuan Sanchez on Image, Identity, and Idolatry (podcast)

Christians are saved by grace, not by works of the law. So where does obedience fit into the Christian life?On this episode of Let's Talk, Jackie Hill Perry, Jasmine Holmes, and Melissa Kruger talk about how to have a biblical view of obedience and the law. They talk about how to make sense of the Book of James, whether God's law evolves, how to avoid legalism in our homes, and how we sometimes make laws out of our own preferences.The Bible speaks of God's commands as a precious gift. Melissa says, “The law shows us what life by the Spirit looks like.” We should never trust in works of the law for our salvation, but by God's grace, as we mature in our faith, we will learn to treasure his commands. Related Resources:Making Sense of Scripture's 'Inconsistency'Is the Book of James Really Christian?Why Don’t Christians Keep the Jewish Law?3 Dangers of (Merely) Messy Christianity

Sometimes it's easy to spot false teaching, but not all false teachers are so recognizable. The false teachers to whom we are most susceptible may be the hardest to recognize. "There are people [around you] who are going unaware, unnoticed," says Jackie Hill Perry, "that are teaching things that are not in line with the faith, but you don't see it. Why? Because they look like you."On this episode of Let's Talk, Jackie Hill Perry, Jasmine Holmes, and Melissa Kruger talk about how to identify false teachers as well as the difference between false teaching and mere differences of interpretation. They also talk about how to have a conversation with a friend who follows someone you're concerned may be a false teacher.Related Reading:15 Discernment DiagnosticsCosti Hinn Exposes the Most Abusive Kind of False Teaching Today (podcast)Beware of Broken Wolves

The year 2020 was a year when Americans talked about race. But many would question whether we've gotten better at talking about race, or if we're worse at it than ever. So much is said that is hurtful, yet not saying something may be perceived as saying something.On this episode of Let's Talk, Jackie Hill Perry, Jasmine Holmes, and Melissa Kruger give practical advice from their own experience for how to talk constructively about race. They discuss why critical race theory has become so controversial, and they talk about books that have helped them understand the history or race relations in America.Above all, they conclude that it's not what you say or don't say that determines whether you can have a productive conversation about race; it's whether you come into a discussion with compassion and humility.Recommended Reading:The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel WilkersonThe Underground Railroad [TGC's Review] by Colson WhiteheadThe Personal Librarian by Marie BenedictCaste by Isabel WilkersonJust Mercy by Brian StevensonCarved in Ebony by Jasmine HolmesRelated Resources:Shai Linne on Pursuing Unity When Discussing EthnicityAgents of Healing for Racial Division (podcast)How to Reach Across the Racial Divide (podcast)

Shame is not a subject that has historically been talked about much in Western culture, but that doesn't mean it's not a big part of how we function as a society. In recent years, books that explain shame—and help women shake it off—have topped the best seller lists.On this episode of Let's Talk, Jackie, Jasmine, and Melissa discuss how the Bible views shame. The concept is present in the Scripture from the time sin entered the world. Jasmine explains, "Adam and Eve, they felt shame about the wrong thing. They weren't like, 'We disobeyed God. That's what the problem is.' They were like, 'Oh my gosh, we're naked. We need to hide. We need some clothes.' And God's like, 'Law broken, but you're naked. Okay, that's what you're worried about right now?'"Listen in as our hosts talk about how we should identify shame and when and how we should let go of it.Related ResourcesHow the Gospel (Uniquely) Speaks to ShameCanceled: How the Eastern Honor-Shame Mentality Traveled WestBlasting Our Shame with the Gospel

We are living in an age of de-conversion. If you've had a Christian friend walk away from the faith, you know what a painful and confusing experience it can be. It may even shake your own belief.In this episode of Let's Talk, Jackie, Jasmine, and Melissa talk about the pain of watching someone lose their faith. They discuss why so many people are deconstructing their beliefs and what sorts of things churches may be able to do walk with those who are doubting so that they don't ultimately walk away. They also note that while the language we use to describe doubt may be new, the phenomenon is not.Related ResourcesBefore You Lose Your Faith: Deconstructing Doubt in the Church (book)Before You Lose Your Faith: Deconstruction and the Church (podcast)Waiting on the Prodigal Spouse or Child You LoveI Never Expected to Doubt4 Causes of Deconstruction

Most people have trouble saying "no," and Christians may have an even tougher time because we worry we are being selfish. But because we are finite beings, we have to place limits on our time and relationships. Even Jesus, who was God incarnate, had boundaries; he walked away from the crowds that were thronging to him to be healed in order to spend time with his Father. (see Luke 5:15–16).On this episode of Let's Talk, Jackie Hill Perry, Jasmine Holmes, and Melissa Kruger talk about boundaries. According to Jasmine, "Boundaries are what enable us to serve God to the utmost of our ability by prioritizing the mission that he's given us on this earth." We shouldn't make boundaries out of laziness or the desire to avoid what is difficult. Jackie says, "I need to interrogate if I'm setting up a boundary because it's the wise thing to do or if I'm using it as an excuse to preserve my own comforts."A key piece of determining where to set God-honoring boundaries is to remember that we are ultimately called to serve and glorify God, not other people. Of course, we should serve people, but that doesn't mean we should always do what they want us to, especially if it conflicts with the priorities God has placed on our life. Related content:Why Freedom Needs BoundariesWhen a Friendship Becomes Co-DependentHow to Know When to Say NoLet’s Talk: People Pleasing

Work has existed from the time of creation when "The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it" (Gen. 2:15). Once sin entered the world, we still had to work, but it became much, much harder (Gen. 3:17–19). Work can be a subject filled with angst. Some people love their work. Some make work an idol, while others work simply because they need to put food on the table.On this first episode of season 3 of Let's Talk, Jackie, Jasmine, and Melissa talk about how to think rightly about work. "There are real thorns and thistles with all of our work, even if it's not physical ones," Melissa says. Whether it's just we're tired or we're overworked. There are all these things that, I think, in perfection wouldn't have been true." Yet in spite of these thorns and thistles, we can still experience God-given purpose in work as we steward the opportunities God has given us.Mentioned in this episode:Mindset by Carol S. DweckRelated Resources:Faith and Work (TGC Course)What Are You Called to Do? A Theology of Work (4-part series of articles)4 Ways to Better Engage Women in the Workplace

Let's Talk, hosted by Jackie Hill Perry, Melissa Kruger, and Jasmine Holmes, is a podcast for women from The Gospel Coalition. Over the next nine weeks, Jackie, Jasmine, and Melissa will talk about how we can apply biblical wisdom to everyday life. They'll talk candidly about work, boundaries, race, shame, and much more.  Tune in to season three, episode one on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, and subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Welcome to a preview special edition of Gospelbound and Let’s Talk. Join Collin Hansen and Melissa Kruger, hosts of Gospelbound and the Let’s Talk podcast as they discuss a bonus season-end episode of these two TGC podcasts, which launched in 2020. To listen to this entire hour-long episode featuring the top 10 Theology Stories of 2021, head over to the Gospel Bound podcast.

In this episode of Let's Talk, recorded live at TGC's 2021 women's conference, Jackie Hill Perry, Jasmine Holmes, and Melissa Kruger discuss the importance of practicing spiritual disciplines, even in life's busiest seasons. They talk about what spiritual disciplines are and why we shouldn't see them simply as boxes to be checked. They consider how to identify idols that might keep us from time with the Lord, and they point out the warning signs that you're too busy for your own good.Mentioned in this podcast:Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life  by Donald WhitneyFive Things to Pray for Your ChildrenDwell Scripture Listening App

"I'm defined by what I do.""I should be able to do it all.""I have to be married and have kids for my life to matter.""Women don't need theology."These are some of the lies Christian women (or men) may be tempted to believe. On this episode of Let's Talk, Melissa Kruger, Jackie Hill Perry, and Jasmine Holmes unpack why we find these lies compelling as well as why we shouldn't believe them. Jasmine points out that a way to combat lies is to follow the example of Mary, sister of Lazarus, by "choosing the better portion," to sit at the feet of Jesus (Luke 10:38–42). We do that by reading and believing his Word.Mentioned in this episode:Counterfeit Gods by Tim KellerRelated content:5 Lies About Your Body5 Misconceptions About Singleness5 Lies Christians Tell About Money3 Reasons Women Need Good TheologyTGC Q&A: What Does God Say to Those Who Struggle with Body Image?This season of Let’s Talk is sponsored by RTS Global, the online program at Reformed Theological Seminary. Learn more at rts.edu/online.

Most people either hate conflict or (secretly) love it. Both can cause problems, and conflict avoidance isn't always the most godly path.On this episode of Let's Talk, Jackie Hill Perry, Melissa Kruger, and Jasmine Holmes talk about their own relationships with conflict. While none of them is naturally confrontational, Melissa points out that Jesus had a lot of conflict. Jackie says that she used to avoid conflict at all costs before she realized, "there is a beauty and an obligation, for the sake of love, to engage in certain conflicts." Conflicts can reveal attitudes in our hearts that we aren't aware of. It was through conflict that Jackie realized her love for God was integrally connected to how she loves her neighbor: "How I was loving people who I was in conflict with revealed a lot about my heart for Jesus. I don't have the freedom, or the authority, or the right to not love you."Listen to this discussion with an open mind, and let the Holy Spirit reveal and sanctify your attitude toward conflict.This season of Let’s Talk is sponsored by RTS Global, the online program at Reformed Theological Seminary. Learn more at rts.edu/online.

Melissa Kruger, Jasmine Holmes, and Jackie Hill Perry all come from different church backgrounds with different views of spiritual gifts. Yet when they talk about this sometimes contentious subject, they find a lot to agree about. Scripture teaches that unless we exercise spiritual gifts in love, they are worthless. And when we truly understand God's design for the body of Christ, we won't be threatened by others' giftedness.On this episode of Let's Talk, our hosts discuss whether spiritual gifts are tied to natural giftedness or whether they only show up only after conversion. They talk about how to discover spiritual gifts and whether we should use spiritual gift "tests" or inventories.Related Content:A Compilation of Resources on Spiritual GiftsHow (Not) to Discover Your Spiritual GiftsThe Gift of ProphecyCan Any Christian Learn How to Do Miracles?Favorite Music Mentioned in this Episode:City AlightTrust in You by Antoine BradfordBe Held by Christy NockelsIntercession by Tasha Cobbs LeonardThis season of Let’s Talk is sponsored by RTS Global, the online program at Reformed Theological Seminary. Learn more at rts.edu/online.

Sometimes, when a person starts to understand Reformed theology and the sovereignty of God for the first time, it can confuse her prayer life. We wonder, if God has already determined what is going to happen, why pray? Yet God's Word commands us to pray! The Bible clearly doesn't see a contradiction between God's absolute sovereignty and the fact that he works through our prayers.In this episode of Let's Talk, Jackie Hill Perry, Jasmine Holmes, and Melissa Kruger talk about why we don't pray sometimes, and why we should. Jackie points out that Jesus, who knew God better than anyone else, was very, very prayerful. Prayer draws us close to God, even when he says "no" to something we ask for. Melissa says, "Being a parent has taught me I'd rather say 'yes' to my kids. I would rather do that most of the time. And when I say no, it's typically for their good. It's because I don't want them to get hurt. I see things they can't see. And so the nice thing about the Lord is He sees things we can't see."This season of Let’s Talk is sponsored by RTS Global, the online program at Reformed Theological Seminary. Learn more at rts.edu/online.

"Judgmental" is a negative descriptor in our culture, but the same culture holds some values so deeply that it "cancels" anyone who disregards them. And while cancel culture can bring great harm, it's existence points to the fact that not all judgment is bad. Jasmine Holmes says, "Even in our culture that is not a largely Christian culture, we understand that to judge is to protect. We want to make a judgment about people who are putting others in danger. We want to make a judgment about people who are victimizing others."In this episode of Let's Talk, Jasmine Holmes, Jackie Hill Perry, and Melissa Kruger talk about the confusion around a biblical view of judgment. They discuss the questions of when it's right and when it's wrong to judge others, and whether it's possible to make right judgments with the wrong heart attitude. They talk about the difference in judging those inside the church and out. Ultimately, the gospel and our own need for grace must inform how and why we judge other people.Related ResourcesJudge People! (Like Jesus Did)Here’s to a Judgment-Free Year?You Want a God of JudgmentThis season of Let’s Talk is sponsored by RTS Global, the online program at Reformed Theological Seminary. Learn more at rts.edu/online.

It's not a bad thing to want to please others. So when do we cross a line into sinful people pleasing? Jasmine Holmes puts it succinctly: "It's when your identity is founded on other people's perception of you."On this episode of Let's Talk, Jasmine, Jackie, and Melissa all confess to people-pleasing tendencies that can become sin, though each faces different temptations. It's helpful to understand how your personality and gifting may bring with them a related temptation. Melissa shares that, in her own life, she has learned that it's possible to be nice to people in a way that isn't actually kind. The hosts also talk about how people pleasing affects parenting, and what they hope for their kids as they grown in independence.Related Resources6 Ways to Smash the Approval IdolHow Can I Be a Workplace Servant But Not a Doormat?Personality Tests Don’t Excuse Your SinExchanging Fear for FearThis season of Let’s Talk is sponsored by RTS Global, the online program at Reformed Theological Seminary. Learn more at rts.edu/online.