Podcast
The Deep Dish
Hosted by The Gospel Coalition · EN
The Deep Dish is a new podcast from TGC hosted by Melissa Kruger and Courtney Doctor that invites women into deep conversations about the deep truths of God. These discussions (which are always better served up with a slice of deep-dish pizza!) will equip women to engage in richer discipleship relationships in their local contexts. Tune in for warm conversations among friends—including special guests along the way—to dig deeper into God’s Word and explore how it applies to every area of our lives.
47episodes
Episodes
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Conversational Bridges to Evangelism
Oct 3000:58:03Summary readyMelissa and Courtney talk with Becky Pippert about how to develop godly confidence to engage in evangelistic conversations with love. Becky tells stories about sharing her faith with her own parents and talks about how to go from a natural conversation to a spiritual one. She emphasizes the need to pray for opportunities, to rely on the Holy Spirit, and to be a good listener. Recommended Resources:Behold and BelieveStay SaltSeeker Bible studies: Uncovering the Life of Jesus and Discovering the Real Jesus Related Content:Inadequacy Is Compulsory in EvangelismLet’s Talk: Sharing Your FaithTalking About Jesus Without Sounding Religious Discussion Questions:1. How comfortable do you feel talking about your faith with others? How has your comfort (or discomfort) changed over time?2. What fears, hesitations, or uncertainties hold you back from sharing your faith with others?3. What examples of blessing others, participating in sustainable outreach, or engaging in evangelism can you think of? Which of these comes most naturally to you?4. What opportunities do you have to connect with people outside Christian circles? What would it look like to engage with people on “their turf” instead of making them come to yours?5. What common ground have you found with people who don’t yet know Jesus? How might your shared interests or experiences become a bridge to spiritual conversations?6. What role does prayer play in our evangelism? How could prayer become a more intentional part of sharing your faith?7. What next step would you like to take in sharing your faith with others? How can your discussion partners pray for you? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryGoing to Church When It Hurts
Oct 1600:43:42Summary readyMelissa 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.Conference Ticket Giveaway:Write a review on Apple Podcasts and complete this form for a chance to win a free ticket to TGCW26!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? Write a review on Apple Podcasts and complete this form for a chance to win a free ticket to TGCW26! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryCovetousness: The Sin Behind the Sin
Oct 200:48:32Summary readyMelissa 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.Conference Ticket Giveaway:Write a review on Apple Podcasts and complete this form for a chance to win a free ticket to TGCW26!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? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Becoming Good Stewards of Our Bodies
Sep 1800:51:05Summary readyMelissa 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.Conference Ticket Giveaway:Write a review on Apple Podcasts and complete this form for a chance to win a free ticket to TGCW26!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? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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The Dish on Gossip
Sep 400:43:00Summary readyWhen 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 TalkDiscussion 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?
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Making Decisions with Our Limits in Mind
Aug 2100:45:19Summary readyMelissa 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?
SummaryWaiting for God in the Gaps
Aug 7, 202500:38:29Summary readyMelissa 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
SummaryLive: Bible Study in the Local Church Matters
Jul 24, 202500:34:50Summary readyIn this live episode recorded at TGC25, Melissa and Courtney talk about why group Bible study is so important in the life of a church. They make a case for doing Bible study homework for the sake of others. They share advice on the practicalities of how to run a study well, such as limiting time spent on icebreaker questions and giving guidelines for sharing focused prayer requests.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?
SummarySocial Media: Wisdom and Warnings
Jul 10, 202500:46:29Summary readyMelissa 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, which include 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. Resources MentionedJourney Women podcastTitus: Displaying the Gospel of GraceRelated ResourcesSocial Sanity in an Insta WorldThe Danger of Self-Soothing Through Social MediaWhy I’m Staying on Social MediaThe Disaster and Delight of Social MediaDiscussion QuestionsWhat one word would best describe your current relationship with social media?What benefits or positive experiences have you had from engaging with social media?In what ways does your social media consumption feed comparison or discontentment in your life?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?What practices or boundaries could you put in place to be a wise consumer of online content?Have you ever taken a break (or considered taking a break) from social media? What was the experience like?How can your discussion partners pray for you as you consider how to engage with social media in healthy, God-honoring ways?
SummaryWhy Can We Trust the Bible?
Jun 26, 202500:43:14Summary readyMelissa 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?
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