The Deep Dish — "The Bible Is for You"

Date: December 4, 2025
Host: Melissa Kruger and Courtney Doctor
Guests: Rachel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams (She Reads Truth founders)

Episode Overview

This episode explores the centrality of the Bible in Christian life, particularly for women, and discusses how to approach, understand, and love Scripture. The hosts are joined by Rachel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams—the founders of She Reads Truth—who share their own journeys with the Bible, practical encouragement for newcomers, and the profound communal and personal impact of God's Word. The conversation seamlessly blends warmth, humor, personal testimony, and rich theological insight.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Falling in Love with God’s Word

• Personal Testimonies:

  • Rachel Myers describes her upbringing immersed in Scripture, but pinpoints deep personal loss—her daughter's stillbirth—as the moment Scripture became her "life" (see Deuteronomy 32:27, 07:21) and her anchor.
    • Quote: "For me, it was when that first hard, hard life experience hits... that was the moment for me when it went from I know what it says to I know what I believe about what it says." (06:15)
  • Amanda Bible Williams shares a similar church background but admits she "fell in love with Jesus before she fell in love with Scripture" and reflects on growing confidence to "swim" in the Bible independently, using a swimming analogy to mark her growth (08:35).

• Cooking & Swimming Analogies:

  • Melissa draws a parallel between learning to cook and learning to feed yourself from the Bible—"when you start preparing it for others, you really start understanding flavor." (11:09)
  • Amanda: "Food is delicious and some is just good for you, and you gotta eat them both." (11:24)

2. Responding to Intimidation and Discouragement with the Bible

• On Feeling Overwhelmed as a Beginner:

  • Rachel references the Ethiopian eunuch—reminding listeners it’s normal to be confused and vital to seek guidance (13:42).
    • Quote: "If you feel overwhelmed, first of all, you’re not alone. You’re probably in the majority, especially if you’re new to Scripture."
  • Encouragement to read in community, ask questions, and utilize resources like She Reads Truth (14:12).
  • Amanda urges patience and delight in making "the first connections" in Scripture for yourself (15:14).

• Practical Advice:

  • Hire a "coach" (mentor)—ask for help, but also don’t be afraid to dig in and discover things yourself (17:33).
  • The Holy Spirit is actively present to illuminate Scripture, regardless of your level of understanding (18:05).

3. Understanding What the Bible Is About

• Hermeneutics: For Us, Not About Us:

  • Courtney recounts a seminary lesson: “The Bible was not written to you. It was written for you, but not to you.” (18:34)
    • Quote: "Moses don’t know you. Paul did not write this to Courtney. And so there’s this original audience aspect... but the Bible is absolutely written for you." (18:48)
  • Rachel: "The Bible is the story of the Gospel... Garden to garden... what God has done to create and rescue a people for himself, for his glory." (20:04)
  • Amanda: "It is a progressive revelation. It’s a story of how God is redeeming all things." (20:29)
  • Melissa: Emphasizes the Bible as revealed truth, not mere human opinion (22:48).

• Application:

  • The Bible uniquely speaks with authority, relevance, and relational depth—"it was reading me" (Walter Wangerin Jr.) (23:52).

4. Motivation, Legalism, and the “Why” of Bible Engagement

• Avoiding Phariseeism & Guilt:

  • Rachel: "You gotta know what it says... I’ve been reading my Bible for decades, and I’m still seeing and learning what it says." (25:58)
  • True Bible engagement is about transformation, not just encouragement or performance.
  • Amanda/ Courtney: Even with discipline, the heart posture matters; don’t let it devolve into checklist spirituality (27:07–29:43).
  • R.C. Sproul quote: Conversion is immediate, but knowledge comes over a lifetime (29:52).

• Seasons and Habits:

  • Rachel’s experience: Memorized Scripture as a child became her lifeline in crisis. "Scripture carried us out of that hospital... it was just in us." (31:24)
  • Amanda: "It will not return void. Even if you didn’t grow up with a Bible foundation, there is hope. And it’s never too late to start." (32:54, 34:30)

• Consistency Over Perfection:

  • Reading Scripture, even when you "don’t feel different," is never wasted. "You are making deposits into this account." (35:44)
  • Melissa: "Sometimes we think of Bible reading like exercise—why am I not toned yet?—but it’s longevity, not instant results." (35:50)

5. The Role of Community and the Local Church

• Growth Isn’t Meant to Be Solitary:

  • Amanda: Real breakthrough comes when Bible reading and study shift from solitary duties to communal life in the church (37:38).
  • Courtney: Most of the New Testament’s instructions are "for the community"—not individuals alone (41:10).
    • Quote: "The design was never that we navigated [Scripture] alone." (41:47)
  • Rachel: Highlights the beauty of "shared instruction" in her family and church life.
  • She Reads Truth’s podcast and resources intentionally promote communal, not outsourced, engagement with the Bible (44:00).

• Communal Benefit:

  • Reading the Bible daily isn’t “me time,” but equipping to serve others—“being transformed is the best thing I can do” for my neighbor (44:43).
  • Amanda cites Isaiah 50:4: "He awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught... that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word." (45:34)

6. Memorization & Lifelong Impact

• If You Could Memorize Any Book?
  • Rachel: Matthew — "Hearing the story of Jesus was so moving I didn’t want to stop." (48:02)
  • Courtney: John — "If I could just start ‘In the beginning was the Word’ and keep going..." (48:40)
  • Amanda (implied): Psalms — the full "prayer book" and "prayer language." (49:50)
  • Stories of parents/grandparents memorizing entire books as models of devotion (49:27).

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Knowing the Bible:
  • "You are not starting from a deficit. You're just starting, and that's okay." — Amanda Bible Williams (02:02, 15:14)
• On Loving God’s Word Through Suffering:
  • "It was that moment for me...realizing everything around me is gonna go away...but this isn't going anywhere. Christ and his promises remain." — Rachel Myers (06:15)
• On Community:
  • "The design was never that we navigated alone." — Courtney Doctor (41:47)
• On Transformation:
  • "If you've been reading your Bible every day this week and haven't yet been taught, corrected, or trained in righteousness, it’s possible that...go back, ask the Spirit to help." — Rachel Myers (26:55)
• On Scripture as Deposit:
  • "You are making deposits into this account...it is never time that you regret spending." — Rachel Myers (35:44)
• On Service:
  • "Being transformed is the best thing I can do, because it's going to change me in every interaction with people around me." — Melissa Krueger (44:43)
• On Memorization as Lifelong Nourishment:
  • "If I could have [Matthew] fully hidden in my heart, I would tell it to myself all the time." — Rachel Myers (48:02)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Personal Journeys with Bible Love: 04:38–11:55
• Encouragement for Beginners/Feeling Overwhelmed: 12:59–18:34
• What is the Bible Actually About?: 18:34–22:48
• Motivation vs. Legalism in Bible Reading: 25:58–31:24
• Power of Memorized Scripture in Hardship: 31:24–34:03
• Encouragement to Newcomers and "It's Never Too Late": 34:30–35:44
• Exercise and Consistency Analogy: 35:50–37:36
• The Role of Community and Local Church: 37:38–44:00
• Communal vs. Individual Bible Reading: 44:00–46:38
• Favorite Bible Books to Memorize: 48:02–50:10

Conclusion

The episode is a rich tapestry of honest personal stories, practical theology, and contagious enthusiasm for God’s Word. The hosts and guests model humility, vulnerability, and a sense of adventure—reminding listeners that loving Scripture is a journey best taken together. Encouragement abounds both for the newcomer and the seasoned Bible reader: start where you are, seek help, read in community, and trust that every small deposit of God’s Word will bear fruit in time, for you and for those around you.

"Come taste and see with us." (47:35)