The Deep Dish

Melissa talks with Amy Gannett and Laura Wifler about how to parent in a way that passes on the Christian faith. They talk about the atmosphere in their own homes growing up and the importance of passing on—in addition to knowledge—a delight in the things of God. They encourage moms who might feel awkward talking to their kids about their own faith, and they share some favorite resources they’ve used with their own children.

Resources Mentioned:

Barna study on church attendance in childhood

First Catechism

Teaching Theology to Young Children (Melissa’s thoughts on teaching the catechism)

Slugs and Bugs, Sing the Bible 

Tiny Theologians

Long Story Short: Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God by Marty Machowski

Dispatches from the Front

Related Resources:

Parenting with Hope in an Anxious Age

A Theological Vision for Discipling the Next Generation

Redeem the Drive Time: Audio Resources for Families

The Good News Family Devotional by Mike and Melissa Kruger

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. When you think back on your own childhood or spiritual upbringing, what particular people God used to shape your faith?

2. In busy seasons of life, what tends to crowd out intentional spiritual conversations in the home?

3. What are some realistic ways families can pursue spiritual rhythms without feeling pressured to do everything perfectly?

4. How has parenting, or investing in the next generation, revealed your own need for dependence on the Lord?

5. How can admitting our failures actually strengthen our witness to those we shepherd?

6. Whether or not you have children of your own, how might God be calling you to invest in the next generation spiritually?

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Melissa Kruger and Courtney Doctor talk about how to seek out the counsel of wise friends and how to respond well when friends seek your counsel. They discuss how to ask good questions, how to deliver a gentle rebuke when necessary, how to follow up on requests for accountability, and how to point someone to Scripture without treating it like a Bible Band-Aid. Listen prayerfully to prepare yourself for opportunities that arise to bear one another’s burdens.

Recommended Resources:

I’m Praying for You by Nancy Guthrie

Count It All Joy by Helen Roseveare

Related Content:

7 Things to Say to a Hurting Loved One

Why Mentoring Is Better Than Asking Alexa

The Neglected Ministry of Asking Questions

Discussion Questions:

1. Considering examples of people who have supported you in difficult seasons, what qualities do you appreciate most in them?

2. In what ways have you struggled to balance extending both grace and truth in your own “kitchen-table counseling”?

3. How can we ensure any necessary rebukes we deliver are given with gentleness?

4. What helps you determine whether someone is “safe” to confess a burden or sin to?

5. In what ways could you make yourself a more approachable and available source of counsel for those who need your support?

6. How can your discussion partners pray for you as you point others to God in difficult situations?

Pick up a copy of Stand In Awe wherever books are sold or visit crossway.org/standinawe to learn how to get 30 percent off with a free Crossway plus account.

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Courtney and Melissa discuss the importance of pursuing spiritual growth during the summer, despite disrupted routines. They talk about practices and strategies that have helped them grow during the summer and on vacation. They recommend lots of resources for summer drop-in Bible studies and encourage listeners to consider living missionally by hosting a study or discussion group in their homes with their neighbors.

Resources Mentioned:

Disciplines of Devotions series

Navigators Topical Memory System

Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood by Melissa B. Kruger

Remember Your Joy: A Bible Study of Salvation Stories in the Old Testament

Fruitful: Cultivating a Spiritual Harvest That Won't Leave You Empty

Turn Your Eyes: A Bible Study on the Psalms

In View of God's Mercies: The Gift of the Gospel in Romans by Courtney Doctor

Growing Together by Melissa B. Kruger

The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer

Related Resources:

Summer Vacation Is No Sabbath

Scroll Less, Stroll More: A Summer Challenge to Leave Your Phone at Home

The Benefits of Going to Church on Vacation

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What tends to happen to your routines for spiritual disciplines during the more relaxed summer months or in vacation seasons? Why do you think that is?

2. What distractions most often compete for your attention during the summer?

3. How have relationships with other believers helped sustain your faith during times when your own spiritual disciplines felt inconsistent?

4. How can women’s ministry leaders or churches help people remain connected and spiritually encouraged during less structured seasons like summer?

5. How can we pursue spiritual growth from a place of delight in Christ rather than guilt or pressure?

6. What opportunities will you have (in your neighborhood, while traveling, through hospitality, or in everyday conversations) to invite others into spiritual conversations or Christian community?

7. What is one step you want to take this summer to cultivate deeper communion with God?

 

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!

Pick up a copy of Stand In Awe wherever books are sold or visit crossway.org/standinawe to learn how to get 30 percent off with a free Crossway plus account.

Get 20% off a course of your choice when you use code DEEPDISH20 at checkout. Learn more and register now at lifeway.com/academy. That’s lifeway.com/academy

Click here for more information about Women's Initiatives at The Gospel Coalition!
Click here to sign up for notification of on-demand access to keynotes and breakout sessions from our recent conference, TGCW26!

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Melissa Kruger and Courtney Doctor talk with Michael Graham about what Christians should know about artificial intelligence.

They discuss the benefits it could bring to society and how they personally use it. They consider theological categories and questions for how to evaluate which uses are helpful and which are dangerous. Finally, Graham explains the Christian Benchmark project and how it exposes the inherent biases in AI platforms.

Key Terms:

Generative AI: Large language models (LLM) that can simulate conversation and create audio, video, and text based on prompts (ChatGPT, Anthropic, Claude, and Grok).

Agentic AI: Systems that are semi- or fully autonomous and thus able to perceive, reason, and act on their own.

Resources Mentioned:

What Is Tri-perspectivalism? by John Frame

Mindset by Carol S. Dweck

AI Christian Benchmark Project

Related Resources:

‘Not a Child-Safe Technology’

3 Questions to Evaluate AI Use

Can You Rely on AI for Theology?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Before listening to this episode, what was your view of AI (benefit, threat, or neutral)? Has that perspective changed?

2. What are some ways AI can be used for good in work, ministry, or everyday life?

3. Are there certain uses of AI that concern you? Why?

4. Why is it important to realize that AI isn’t a neutral source? How does that shape the way you interact with it?

5. How can we help younger generations develop discernment in addition to skills when it comes to AI?

6. What does it look like to trust God’s sovereignty in times of rapid cultural and technological change?

7. What’s one step you would like to take in using technology intentionally and faithfully?

 

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!

Pick up a copy of Stand In Awe wherever books are sold or visit crossway.org/standinawe to learn how to get 30 percent off with a free Crossway plus account.

Get 20% off a course of your choice when you use code DEEPDISH20 at checkout. Learn more and register now at lifeway.com/academy. That’s lifeway.com/academy

Click here for more information about Women's Initiatives at The Gospel Coalition!
Click here to sign up for notification of on-demand access to keynotes and breakout sessions from our recent conference, TGCW26!

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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?

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!

Pick up a copy of Stand In Awe wherever books are sold or visit crossway.org/standinawe to learn how to get 30 percent off with a free Crossway plus account.

Get 20% off a course of your choice when you use code DEEPDISH20 at checkout. Learn more and register now at lifeway.com/academy. That’s lifeway.com/academy

Click here for more information about Women's Initiatives at The Gospel Coalition!
Click here to sign up for notification of on-demand access to keynotes and breakout sessions from our recent conference, TGCW26!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.