In 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 Emotion Discussion 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?
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34:50
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34:50
Social Media: Wisdom and Warnings
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, 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?
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46:29
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46:29
Why Can We Trust the Bible?
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?
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43:14
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43:14
Summer Reading with Melissa and Collin (from TGC's Gospelbound Podcast)
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.
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1:11:51
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1:11:51
Grief, Loss, and Gratitude in the Christian Life
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?
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.
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