The Deep Dish

Melissa and Courtney talk with Megan Hill about how God’s Word helps us understand the deep hurts that can come from God’s own people. They discuss why church hurt is so painful as well as why we shouldn’t run from church when we’ve been hurt. They talk about how to know when it might be right to leave a church and how to find comfort in God’s word. Listen to this episode if you’ve ever experienced church hurt or want to care for those who have.Recommended Resources:Sighing on Sunday: 40 Meditations for When Church Hurts by Megan HillRelated Content:Let’s Talk: Overcoming Church HurtUnderstand Church Hurt’s SourceWe’re Hurt, and Healed, in CommunityDiscussion Questions:1. When you hear the phrase “church hurt,” what comes to mind? How would you define it in your own words?2. What makes church hurt different from conflicts in other areas of life, such as work or friendships?3. How did the biblical examples of church hurt that were shared encourage or convict you?4. How can you come alongside those in your church who are healing from past hurt? In what specific ways can you pray for them?5. How would you discern whether it’s time to leave a church community? Who could you turn to for wise, godly counsel in that process?6. How does understanding God’s perfect justice equip you to encourage and reassure those struggling in the wake of church hurt? Click here for more information about Women's Initiatives at The Gospel Coalition! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Melissa and Courtney talk with Jackie Hill Perry about the sin of covetousness and why it’s so hard to recognize and admit. They discuss signposts that tip them off that they are coveting, the relationship between covetousness and other sins, and why we desire for others to covet what we have. Listen in if you want to get serious about putting to death the sin of covetousness in your own life.Recommended Resources:The Envy of Eve by Melissa KrugerHow to Deal With Dark Times by Tim Keller on Psalm 88Related Content:Cultivating Contentment in a Covetous WorldLet’s Talk: Battling DiscontentmentIs My Desire Sour? 4 Questions To ConsiderDiscussion Questions:1. Where in your life are you most tempted to feel discontentment?2. Describe a time when something you pursued or received left you unsatisfied? What did you learn from that experience?3. How did this discussion help you better understand the connection between covetousness and idolatry?4. What warning signs alert you that idolatry or discontentment may be creeping into your heart?5. In what ways have you seen God set “boundary lines in pleasant places” (Ps. 16:6) in your own life? What does this reveal about His sovereignty and love?6. What daily practices or rhythms could help you cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude and contentment in Christ?7. How can your discussion partners pray for God to reshape your heart and desires as you grow in contentment? Click here for more information about Women's Initiatives at The Gospel Coalition! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Melissa and Courtney talk with Lisa Whittle about how a whole body theology can keep us from obsessing or neglecting our bodies. They discuss the need for a foundational view of our bodies drawn from the whole of Scripture rather than isolated verses. Whether we struggle with accepting imperfections in the way we look or we get frustrated because our bodies don’t function the way we wish they did, recognizing that our bodies exist for the glory of God can lift the weight of worrying about what others think of us.Recommended Resources:Body and Soul: A 6-Session Study of the Whole Person God Created You to Be by Lisa WhittleRelated Content:The Deep Dish: Aging Is a Discipleship IssueAs You Start that Diet: 3 Truths About Body ImageFive Lies About Your BodyLet’s Talk: How to Spot and Let Go of ShameDiscussion Questions:1. In what ways are you tempted to measure your worth (or the worth of others) by physical appearance or ability?2. Describe one way you would like to have a healthier relationship with your body? What might need to change for that to happen?3. Share a time when you felt physically limited. How can experiences of frailty or weakness give us opportunities to glorify God?4. In what ways does Jesus’ own experience of physical weakness (hunger, fatigue, suffering, death) comfort or challenge you in your view of the body?5. How do you discern whether pursuing improved form and function is healthy or problematic?6. What would it look like for you to pursue health and strength with a “glory mentality” rather than a self-focused one?7. How does the reality of spending eternity in a glorified version of your body influence the way you view and care for your body now? Click here for more information about Women's Initiatives at The Gospel Coalition! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When we treat gossip as an “excusable sin,” we ignore the corrosive power it has in our lives and relationships. In this conversation, Melissa Kruger and Courtney Doctor talk about why we’re so drawn to gossip, how to avoid it, and how to repent of it when you fail. They discuss some telltale phrases that are red flags for gossip, how to turn the conversation to something else, and when and how it’s right to confess gossip. Listen in as Courtney and Melissa spill the tea on gossip. Related Content:How to Shut Down GossipLet’s Talk: Fighting SinTaming the Tongue: How the Gospel Transforms Our Talk Discussion Questions:1. How did the verses shared expand your understanding of what gossip is and how it’s harmful?2. How have you experienced the repercussions or damage of gossip?3. What recent opportunities have you had to use healing, life-giving words? When have there been opportunities for your words to be potentially damaging?4. In what situations are you most prone to engage in gossip? What motivations might be driving this desire?5. What redirection strategies would be helpful for you to have in mind as you try to guard your conversations against gossip?6. What things unite your current friendships? How do they affect the quality of those relationships? Click here for more information about Women's Initiatives at The Gospel Coalition! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Melissa Kruger and Courtney Doctor talk with Jen Wilkin about how to make decisions regarding good opportunities in light of our finiteness. They talk about why quitting is sometimes wise, how to think about decisions that will affect your family, and why it’s better to think of God's will as a field rather than a maze.Recommended ResourcesLeadership on the Line by Ronald A. Heifetz and Martin LinskyPrecious Remedies Against Satan's Devices by Thomas BrooksRelated ContentShould I Prioritize Family or Work? Neither.The Busy Christian Family 6 Lessons for Tending Your TimeDiscussion Questions What is your attitude toward change? Are you more prone to embrace or resist changes in your life?Who has God positioned in your life to help you process significant transitions or decisions?What could a regular practice of “taking the temperature” of your current commitments look like? How can you assess the way they’re affecting your relationships with the Lord and others?In what ways are your current commitments influencing the amount and quality of time you spend with the Lord?Describe a time when you’ve decided to commit to a “sacrificial yes,” “necessary no,” or “not right now.” How has God used that experience to teach you about stewarding time?What attributes of God do you need to be reminded of as you make decisions about commitments in this season of life? Click here for more information about Women's Initiatives at The Gospel Coalition! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Melissa and Courtney talk with Mark Vroegop about the gap moments of our lives when we have to wait. They discuss why waiting is so frustrating, what it means to wait on the Lord, what the Bible says about waiting, and how to recognize the sinful patterns we should avoid in times of waiting. No one likes to wait, but waiting is where we learn to walk by faith and where God does some of his best work in our lives!Discussion Questions: 1. How are you currently experiencing waiting?2. What expectations are you bringing to that situation, and how might those be shaping your thoughts and actions?3. How has God used past seasons of waiting as “fertilizer” to strengthen your faith?4. How does knowing that God both commends and commands waiting change your perspective as you wait?5. Of the 3 A’s mentioned (anger, anxiety, apathy), which are you most prone to feel in your “gap times”?6. Which attributes of God are most comforting or helpful for you to be reminded of in your “gap times”?7. Which biblical example of waiting was most meaningful to you? What other encouraging examples come to mind?Resources Mentioned:Waiting Isn’t a Waste by Mark VroegopRelated Resources:How God Uses Our WaitingHope for Waiting HeartsGod’s People Are a Waiting PeopleSeasons of Waiting: Walking by Faith When Dreams Are Delayed by Betsy Childs Howard Click here for more information about Women's Initiatives at The Gospel Coalition! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Recommended ResourcesChosen Together (TGC25 keynote by John Piper on Ephesians 1:3–14)In View of God’s Mercies by Courtney Doctor (Bible study book)Related ContentHow to Organize and Orchestrate a Bible Study3 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Bible StudyFour Types of Questions NOT to Ask in Your Small Group Bible StudyNeed a Fall Women’s Bible Study? Try One of These.Rubric Questions for Choosing a Group Bible Study:Does this study require me to have my Bible open?Are the questions rooted in the text?Does this study account for various learning styles?Is it accessible to the women I'm leading?Does it speak to a current need in our church?Five Levels of Communication:1. Small Talk2. Facts3. Opinions and Ideas4. Feelings5. Deep EmotionDiscussion Questions1. Which book of the Bible could you study over and over without ever getting tired of it?2. What unique aspects of doing Bible study within the local church have you experienced?3. When have you been part of studies that were aligned with what was happening in other areas of the church? What benefits did you experience from that alignment? What opportunities exist for future alignment?4. What locations do you usually study in (home or church)? What benefits could come from hosting your group in different settings?5. How prone is your study group to using “Christianese”? How can you be more intentional about using language that would make unbelieving friends comfortable joining your discussion?6. How has prioritizing time in God’s Word and in prayer helped you love others better? Click here for more information about Women's Initiatives at The Gospel Coalition! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Melissa Kruger talks with her friends Hunter Beless and Laura Wifler about the role social media has played in their lives, both positive and negative. They talk about temptations that can arise from social media—from neglecting other good pursuits to inspiring covetousness. They discuss why it can be helpful to take breaks and what red flags they look for in their own lives that show social media is doing them more harm than good.Recommended Resources:Journeywomen podcastTitus: Displaying the Gospel of GraceRelated Content:Social Sanity in an Insta WorldThe Danger of Self-Soothing Through Social MediaWhy I’m Staying on Social MediaThe Disaster and Delight of Social MediaDiscussion Questions:1. What one word would best describe your current relationship with social media?2. What benefits or positive experiences have you had from engaging with social media?3. In what ways does your social media consumption feed comparison or discontentment in your life?4. What would it look like to engage with social media in ways that glorify God and allow you to love others well? What would you start and stop doing?5. What practices or boundaries could you put in place to be a wise consumer of online content?6. Have you ever taken a break (or considered taking a break) from social media? What was the experience like?7. How can your discussion partners pray for you as you consider how to engage with social media in healthy, God-honoring ways? Click here for more information about Women's Initiatives at The Gospel Coalition! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Melissa Kruger and Courtney Doctor talk with Vanessa Hawkins about the Bible’s trustworthiness. They discuss why things like apparent inconsistencies and many different authors can actually point to the truth of the Christian Scriptures.They recommend resources to help listeners become familiar with biblical genre and the overarching narrative of the Bible to better understand how Scripture fits together.Recommended Resources:How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon Fee and Douglas StuartSurviving Religion 101 by Michael KrugerCanon FodderThe Whole Story of the Bible in 16 Verses by Chris BrunoFrom Garden to Glory by Courtney DoctorFrom Beginning to Forever by Elizabeth WoodsonNancy GuthrieRelated Content:The Biblical CanonWhy You Can Trust Your BibleHow to Face Apparent Contradictions in the BibleGen Z’s Questions About Christianity: The Bible’s AuthorityDiscussion Questions:What questions or doubts about the Bible’s reliability have you encountered from others or wrestled with yourself? What has been challenging about addressing those questions or concerns?How is the nature of eyewitness testimony helpful in increasing our confidence in the Bible’s accuracy?What consistencies within the Bible amaze you and grow your trust in God and his Word? Where do you see the beauty, harmony, and power of his Word displayed?How does being familiar with the Bible’s overarching narrative help us read and understand it better? What steps can you take to increase your understanding of this narrative or to help others become more familiar with it?What other details in this episode were surprising or served as helpful reminders of why we can trust God’s Word? Click here for more information about Women's Initiatives at The Gospel Coalition! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We’re sharing this episode of our Gospelbound podcast as a bonus episode for Deep Dish listeners because we know you love to read! In it, Melissa Kruger and Collin Hansen talk about what’s on their own summer reading list and share recommendations of other books they believe our listeners will enjoy. We hope this conversation will lead you to books that are edifying and enjoyable. Happy reading!Collin's Summer Reading ListGodric by Frederick BuechnerThe Fate of the Day by Rick AtkinsonThe Space Trilogy by C. S. Lewis Melissa's Summer Reading ListHomecoming by Kate MortonThe Lord's Work in the Lord's Way and No Little People by Francis A. Schaeffer The Expulsive Power of a New Affection by Thomas ChalmersFor the full list of book recommendations mentioned in this episode, visit our website. Click here for more information about Women's Initiatives at The Gospel Coalition! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Courtney Doctor talks with Whitney Pipkin and Wendy Alsup, two of her friends who have known deep grief. They talk about why grief can be so surprising, why God allows it, and how to talk to a friend who is grieving (hint: it’s better to listen). Whitney talks about why we shouldn’t rush through grief; it’s appropriate to rage against death! Wendy says that we can see our grief as our resistance to the effects of the Fall. Listen to this episode and be comforted that even if grief feels strange and disorienting, you are not alone. Recommended Resources:We Shall All Be Changed by Whitney PipkinCompanions in Suffering: Comfort for Times of Loss and Loneliness by Wendy AlsupRelated Content:What I Misunderstood About GriefDark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark VroegopGrief Is Not an Enemy of FaithDiscussion Questions:What personal experiences with loss have you (or those close to you) had? Or in what ways do you relate to feeling “immune” from loss?How has experiencing suffering or loss changed you or your outlook on life?How can believers grieve in ways that acknowledge the need to lament as well as maintain hope?In what ways did this episode challenge you to be a better companion to someone walking through a season of suffering?What Scriptures have comforted or ministered to you in hard seasons?How did this conversation help you consider gratitude alongside grief and loss? Click here for more information about Women's Initiatives at The Gospel Coalition! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Melissa Kruger and Courtney Doctor respond to questions submitted by listeners such as what advice they have for newlyweds, how women can thoughtfully have relationships with their pastors and elders, their go-to verses for lonely times, and last but not least, their favorite pizza toppings!New episodes of The Deep Dish will now be released every other Thursday. Sign up for exclusive content for women and updates on The Deep Dish podcast here.  Recommended Resources:Parenting with HopeThe Lord’s Work in the Lord’s Way“‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”Related Content:TGC Q&A PodcastLet’s Talk: Your Questions, Answered!Questions Discussed:What’s a good way to get constructive criticism on Bible teaching without falling into people pleasing?What are some practical ways to teach a teen to read and study the Word without her feeling forced?How did you know it was time to go to seminary? What advice would you give women considering seminary?How do you grow relationships with pastors and elders as a female church member?What practical tips can you give on asking questions that get conversations going and reach the heart?I’m getting married this fall to a wonderfully godly man. Do you have advice or encouragement for newlyweds?What has helped you grow in affection for the Lord?What are your go-to verses for lonely seasons of life?What are your favorite pizza toppings? Click here for more information about Women's Initiatives at The Gospel Coalition! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Melissa Kruger and Courtney Doctor talk about how to seek out the counsel of wise friends and how to respond well when friends seek your counsel. They discuss how to ask good questions, how to deliver a gentle rebuke when necessary, how to follow up on requests for accountability, and how to point someone to Scripture without treating it like a Bible Band-Aid. Listen prayerfully to prepare yourself for opportunities that arise to bear one another’s burdens.Recommended Resources:I’m Praying for You by Nancy GuthrieCount It All Joy by Helen RoseveareRelated Content:7 Things to Say to a Hurting Loved OneWhy Mentoring Is Better Than Asking AlexaThe Neglected Ministry of Asking QuestionsDiscussion Questions:1. Considering examples of people who have supported you in difficult seasons, what qualities do you appreciate most in them?2. In what ways have you struggled to balance extending both grace and truth in your own “kitchen-table counseling”?3. How can we ensure any necessary rebukes we deliver are given with gentleness?4. What helps you determine whether someone is “safe” to confess a burden or sin to?5. In what ways could you make yourself a more approachable and available source of counsel for those who need your support?6. How can your discussion partners pray for you as you point others to God in difficult situations? Click here for more information about Women's Initiatives at The Gospel Coalition! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Melissa Kruger and Courtney Doctor talk with Trillia Newbell about the depth and richness of Romans 8. They explain how to understand Romans 8 in the context of the previous chapters, why there’s no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, how to let that truth make a difference in your life, and how to respond to the question “If there’s no condemnation for me, why am I suffering?” We hope you will open your Bibles and dive in!Recommended Resources:If God Is For Us by Trillia NewbellIn View of God’s Mercies by Courtney DoctorCelebrating Around the Table by Trillia NewbellRelated Content:Living in the Hope of Liberation from BondageThe Good News of Romans 8If God Is for Us: Standing Accused with Romans 8Discussion Questions:Romans 8:1 says there is no condemnation for those in Christ. How does this verse reshape your thinking about areas of guilt or shame in your life?What’s one area of your life where you need to intentionally walk in the Spirit rather than the flesh? What’s one step you can take this week to move in that direction?How does the truth of Romans 8:18 (“the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us”) bring hope to seasons of waiting or hardship? How have you personally experienced this hope?How did this conversation help you understand what “good” means in the context of Romans 8:28 ("all things work together for good")? How can this shift our expectations when life doesn’t go as planned?Reflecting on Romans 8:35–39, which truths are most meaningful to you in combating the lie that God doesn’t love you? How would you encourage another woman who is struggling to believe she is more than a conqueror through Christ (Romans 8:37)? Click here for more information about Women's Initiatives at The Gospel Coalition! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Melissa Kruger and Courtney Doctor talk with Vanessa Hawkins about the vital and beautiful role church should have in the life of every Christian. They discuss what keeps people from regular church attendance and how to move beyond church hurt. They talk about why your church attendance and involvement is not only necessary for your own spiritual growth, but for the other members of the body of Christ.Recommended Resources:Deep Discipleship by J. T. EnglishSighing on Sunday by Megan HillA Place to Belong by Megan HillWestminster Confession of Faith“Father, I Stretch My Hands to Thee”Related Content:The Church Is Essential for DiscipleshipWant to Reach the Next Generation? Love the Church.5 Reasons to Keep Going to Church with Baby BrainLet’s Talk: Overcoming Church HurtDiscussion Questions:In what ways are you currently “showing up” (or not showing up) in your church community?What is most likely to keep you from showing up at church, either literally or figuratively?How have you experienced being known, loved, and cared for by the church?What has your participation in your church community taught you about God and what he values? What liturgies or traditions in your church are most meaningful to you?What encouragement would you offer someone who has been hurt by people within the church? If this is you, what has helped you persevere in seeing the church's beauty?What change or next step would you like to take regarding your engagement in your church? How can your discussion partners pray for you? Click here for more information about Women's Initiatives at The Gospel Coalition! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.