The Deep Dish

Courtney Doctor talks with Wendy Alsup and Vaneetha Rendall Risner about their experiences of divorce. They share the Scripture passages that helped them keep going and talk honestly about what to say (and what not to say) to someone going through a divorce. They explain why it can be hard for a newly divorced Christian to go to church and why it’s vital to go anyway.

Resources Mentioned:

Walking Through Fire: A Memoir of Loss and Redemption by Vaneetha Rendall Risner

I Forgive You by Wendy Alsup

Related Resources:

This Was Never the Plan: Walking with God Through the Heartache of Divorce by Vaneetha Rendall Risner

Hope When Your Spouse Divorces You

Why I’m Going Back to Church After My Divorce

A Case for Being Honest with Your Elders

When Shame Remains After Divorce

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. How has divorce affected your family or close friendships? What were the hardest spiritual or emotional struggles you or those close to you faced during that season?

2. What promises of God are especially important to remember when walking through deep disappointment or loss?

3. If you knew a friend was going through a divorce, what might hold you back from reaching out to her?

4. In what ways have you seen the church support women (and their children) walking through unwanted divorce well? In what ways could the church provide more support or encouragement to the marginalized or hurting?

5. What suggestions from this conversation helped you understand how to walk with friends or family navigating divorce?

6. In seasons when you cannot control outcomes for your family, what does it look like to trust God?

7. What does gospel hope look like in the aftermath of something as painful as divorce?

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Let this Mother’s Day be a reminder that she deserves care, too. Head to cozyearth.com and use our code DEEP for an exclusive 20% off, and if you see a post-purchase survey, be sure to mention you heard about Cozy Earth from us here at The Deep Dish!

Click here for more information about Women's Initiatives at The Gospel Coalition!
Click here for more information about our upcoming conference, TGCW26, June 11-13 in Indianapolis!

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Melissa and Courtney talk with Emily Jensen about how to broaden our understanding of worship to think of it as a response to God’s worth. Worship is more than singing on Sunday morning, but corporate worship is an essential part of the worship God desires. They talk about the role our feelings should play in how we think about worship and how to offer up the mundane moments of our lives to the glory of God.

Resources Mentioned:

Worship (Disciplines of Devotion) by Emily A. Jensen

“God Moves In a Mysterious Way”

“Holy Forever”

“We Rest on Thee”

 

Related Resources:

A Biblical Theology of Worship

Leading Worship Is Worship

Gospel-Shaped Worship

 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What is a hymn or worship song that has encouraged you recently?

2. Before listening to this episode, how would you have defined worship? How does the definition that worship is “our response to who God is and what he has done” expand or challenge your thinking?

3. What are some everyday moments in your life that could become opportunities for worship? What could that look like for you?

4. What’s the difference between using worship to change our feelings and worshiping because God is worthy, regardless of how we feel?

5. What has helped you approach worship, even when you feel anxious, distracted, or spiritually dry?

6. What modern-day idols compete for our worship?

7. How does the image of a child offering imperfect efforts to a loving parent shape the way you think about your own worship?

Let this Mother’s Day be a reminder that she deserves care, too. Head to cozyearth.com and use our code DEEP for an exclusive 20% off, and if you see a post-purchase survey, be sure to mention you heard about Cozy Earth from us here at The Deep Dish!

Click here for more information about Women's Initiatives at The Gospel Coalition!
Click here for more information about our upcoming conference, TGCW26, June 11-13 in Indianapolis!

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Courtney and Melissa talk about how to recognize and repent of the ways we may be relying on self-righteousness rather than the righteousness of Christ. They talk about tribalism, what happens when debatable issues are treated as primary, and how, paradoxically, the areas where we feel despair may point to areas of pride or self-righteousness in our lives.

Related Resources:

Finding the Right Hills to Die On by Gavin Ortlund

The Sticky Sin of Always Being Right

Self-Righteousness Wears Many Disguises

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What are some things that come to mind (such as good practices or habits) that can quietly become a source of pride?

2. In what ways do you notice self-righteousness creep into Christian community in subtle or socially acceptable ways?

3. Are there particular areas of obedience or conviction where you feel tempted to compare yourself with others? What might that reveal about your heart?

4. In Philippians 3:4–10, Paul calls his impressive spiritual résumé “rubbish” compared with knowing Christ. What does this passage teach us about the difference between our righteousness and Christ’s righteousness?

5. Why do you think it can be so easy to trust in our own efforts rather than resting in Christ’s righteousness?

6. What are some red flags in your thoughts, attitudes, or conversations that might signal self-righteousness creeping in?

7. How can Christian communities encourage holiness and obedience without creating an atmosphere of pride, comparison, or tribalism?

Let this Mother’s Day be a reminder that she deserves care, too. Head to cozyearth.com and use our code DEEP for an exclusive 20% off, and if you see a post-purchase survey, be sure to mention you heard about Cozy Earth from us here at The Deep Dish!

Click here for more information about Women's Initiatives at The Gospel Coalition!
Click here for more information about our upcoming conference, TGCW26, June 11-13 in Indianapolis!

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Courtney and Melissa talk with New Testament scholar (and Melissa’s husband) Mike Kruger about the excellent evidence that Jesus physically rose from the dead and the difference that makes for our lives.

Dr. Kruger points out that because Jesus predicted his own resurrection, it validates his claims to be the Son of God and the Messiah. Dr. Kruger highlights the resurrection's transformative effects on early Christians, including their willingness to be martyred for their faith.

Related Resources:

Did the Resurrection Really Happen? (TGC Hard Questions) by Timothy Paul Jones

3 Reasons to Believe in the Resurrection

Why Is the Resurrection Good News?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Why do you think the resurrection continues to be questioned or dismissed in our culture?

2. Why is the resurrection not just one doctrine among many but central to the Christian faith? What would Christianity lose if the resurrection weren't true?

3. What evidence of Christ’s resurrection is particularly compelling to you?

4. Read 1 Corinthians 15 together. Paul says that if Christ hasn't been raised, our faith is futile—but if he has been raised, everything changes. As a result, what should change in

our view of suffering?

our courage in evangelism?

our fight against sin?

our hope in death?

5. How does the knowledge that Christ is alive and reigning without rival make a difference in your life right now?

Let this Mother’s Day be a reminder that she deserves care, too. Head to cozyearth.com and use our code DEEP for an exclusive 20% off, and if you see a post-purchase survey, be sure to mention you heard about Cozy Earth from us here at The Deep Dish!

Click here for more information about Women's Initiatives at The Gospel Coalition!
Click here for more information about our upcoming conference, TGCW26, June 11-13 in Indianapolis!

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To celebrate the first birthday of The Deep Dish, Courtney and Melissa welcome special surprise guests to answer tough questions sent in by listeners. They talk about the difference between shame and the Spirit's conviction, how to seek advice about a conflict without gossiping, how to sit with the tension of a biblical text, how to keep the Sabbath, and more. 

Resources Mentioned:

Remembering Death Teaches Us to Live

The Dish on Gossip

Becoming Good Stewards of Our Bodies

Conversations with God

When You Want to Change Your Husband

Related Resources:

Sabbath Rest (Disciplines of Devotion series) by Megan Hill

Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin

Gospel Parenting During the Little Years

Let this Mother’s Day be a reminder that she deserves care, too. Head to cozyearth.com and use our code DEEP for an exclusive 20% off, and if you see a post-purchase survey, be sure to mention you heard about Cozy Earth from us here at The Deep Dish!

Click here for more information about Women's Initiatives at The Gospel Coalition!
Click here for more information about our upcoming conference, TGCW26, June 11-13 in Indianapolis!

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