More than Roommates

In the midst of a busy and often distracting Christmas season, this episode challenges couples to choose presence over just more presents. The More Than Roommates team offer practical, biblical encouragement to help you slow down, be intentional, and truly connect with your spouse and Jesus during the holidays.Discussion Questions:1- When you think about this Christmas season so far, where have you been most distracted? Where have you felt most present?2- What tends to pull your attention away from your spouse during the holidays (phones, stress, schedules, comparison, etc.)?3- What does presence look like for you personally? What about for your spouse?4- How can you intentionally create moments of connection in the days ahead—even if Christmas has already passed?ResourcesEpisode 51 - How to make this Your Best Holiday Season

Scott is changing jobs! This week, the team honors Scott as he transitions off Harris Creek's staff and shares the story behind his big vocational change—how he processed the decision, invited community, and listened to the Lord’s leading. The conversation offers couples a model for making major decisions with humility, unity, and intentionality. The MTR team also discusses the exciting future to come with the podcast!Discussion Questions for Couples1- When you face a big decision, do you tend to move fast or slow? How does that impact your spouse?2- What role does community currently play in your decision-making? What role should it play?3- How do you personally respond to vulnerability—your spouse’s and your own?4- Are there areas where you might be making decisions independently rather than mutually?Resources:Episode 43- The not so secret Guide to In Laws (ft. Dave Willis)Episode 49- We are Made for People (ft. Justin Whitmel Earley)Episode 63 - Celebrating One Year of MTREpisode 102 - A Story of Redemption and Forgiveness (ft. Kevin Kelli Mainz)Episode 103 - Protecting Your Marriage from InfidelityEpisode 121- Christ is the Melody of Your Marriage (ft. John Elmore)

In this episode, Scott, Derek, and Gabrielle explore the often-misunderstood ideas of love and respect in marriage, grounding the conversation in Scripture while sharing real-life stories from their own relationships. They unpack why spouses may long for different forms of affirmation and how understanding those needs can transform everyday connection.Resources- Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs Discussion Questions:1- When do you feel most loved or most respected by your spouse? Can you describe a recent moment?2- Do you think you naturally communicate more love or more respect? How does your spouse typically receive it?3- Have past misunderstandings ever come from giving your spouse what you value instead of what they value?4- What is one simple action this week—public or private—that would communicate either love or respect more clearly?

Busyness may look normal, but it’s quietly draining your marriage emotionally, physically, spiritually, and sexually. In this episode, Scott, Derek, and Gabrielle unpack why most of our busyness is a choice, how to discern when to say yes or no, and practical ways to create margin, live on mission, and protect what matters most at home.Scriptures:Romans 12:1-2Ephesians 5:15-17Matthew 16:25Genesis 2:25Questions to Discuss:1. What are some of the reasons you and your spouse are overly busy in your lives and schedule?2. What is the cost of your busyness to your marriage and family? (i.e., health, money, intimacy)3. Which of your current commitments are true needs and which are really choices that reflect your lifestyle preferences or fear of missing out?4. Who in your community group or trusted circle needs to speak into your level of busyness and help you evaluate your commitments?Resources:Podcast - More Than Roommates, Episode 41 - Why Busyness Might Destroy Your Marriage (feat. Gary Thomas)Podcast - More Than Roommates, Episode 31 - Too Busy to Get Busy (Part 2 of 3 in a series on marital intimacy)Book - Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, by Peter ScazzeroBook - Practicing the Way, by John Mark Comer

In this episode of More Than Roommates, Derek, Gabrielle, and Scott share five priorities that shape a faithful life and marriage, drawing insight from Dr. Gary Chapman’s long obedience in the same direction. They walk through what it looks like to keep Jesus first, prioritize your spouse and kids, live on mission together, and aim to finish faithful to the very end.Questions to Discuss:1. Who was your favorite teacher when you were growing up? Share with your spouse.2. What does look like to be faithful for you right now in your current season of life?3. When you look at your current rhythms, what (honestly) seems like your true first priority—Jesus, marriage, kids, work, comfort, or something else?4. Which of the five priorities (Jesus, spouse, kids, mission, finishing faithful) do you sense the Lord highlighting most strongly for this season?Scriptures:MT 6:33MT 22:37-40PR 4:23PS 127:32 Corinthians 5:18Hebrews 12:1-22 Cor 4:2ResourcesBook - The 5 Love Languages, by Gary Chapman