The Deep Dish

Courtney and Melissa talk with Christine Hoover about why we need friends and how to make them. They discuss how to get over the awkwardness of walking into a room where you don’t know anyone, why our friendships may shift in different life stages, how our friends shape us, and how an idealized view of friendship (where your friends never disappoint you) runs counter to the gospel. RESOURCES MENTIONED:The Hard Work of Lifelong Friendships  RELATED RESOURCES:Want to Grow in Wisdom? You Need Gospel Friends.Why Ministry Partners Are Better than Instagram FriendsHow to Be the Friend You’ve Always WantedMessy Beautiful Friendship by Christine K. Hoover  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:1. How has your experience of making friends changed in different seasons of your life? Which seasons have been most challenging, and why?2. In what ways are your current friendships gospel-centered? Where do you sense room for growth?3. Where has God placed you—at church, at work, at home, or in your community—to notice and include those who may feel overlooked or alone?4. What qualities of a faithful, Christlike friend are you asking God to grow in you right now?5. How does the gospel speak to the fears or expectations that hinder our friendships?6. How are you intentionally prioritizing fellowship with Christ? How does your relationship with him shape what you offer in your friendships?7. What next step is God calling you to take in your pursuit of gospel-centered friendship? 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! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Courtney and Melissa talk with Jen Wilkin about how they each related to their siblings while growing up, how those relationships have changed over the years, and how to foster a healthy relationship with adult siblings.In this laughter-filled conversation, they talk about how they dealt with conflict among their own children, words of wisdom they wished they’d heard sooner, and how to encourage kindness and love between siblings throughout their lives.RESOURCES MENTIONED:I Am the Light of the World (Jen’s message at TGCW24)Being Mortal  by Atul Gawande RELATED RESOURCES:Help! My Kids Won’t Stop FightingRaising an Alien ChildHow to Handle Family Conflict This Holiday Season DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:1. What was your relationship with your siblings like as you were growing up? How has it developed over the years?2. What patterns of dealing with conflict do you see in your family (past or present)?3. What has God taught you about conflict resolution through your sibling relationships?4. How do you see your children (or children you’re close to) developing friendships in their sibling relationships? What’s challenging about this? How would you like to encourage this more?5. As you interact with your adult siblings, in what ways might you be reverting to childhood roles? How can you guard against this?6. How are your siblings navigating (or planning to navigate) care for aging parents? What advice from this episode was helpful as you consider how to do this well? 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! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Melissa and Courtney talk with Raechel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams about how they learned to love the Bible. They discuss both the challenges and rewards of studying Scripture, memorizing it, and learning to interpret it in community. They explain the difference in thinking the Bible is written to you and understanding that it was written for you.Resources Mentioned: She Reads TruthThe Bible Is for You: A Devotional Journey Through Every Book of the Bible Edited by Raechel Myers and Amanda Bible WilliamsDaily Light Related Content:How to Study the Bible Keep Reading Your Bible, Even If You Don’t Understand ItTGC Course: Mining God’s Word DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1. In a few words, describe your current attitude toward and practice of engaging with God’s Word.2. How has your approach to reading and studying Scripture changed over time? What habits or rhythms are helping you prioritize it in your current season?3. How did this conversation deepen your understanding of the unique nature and power of God’s Word?4. How has your understanding of God grown as you’ve spent time in his Word?5. How has Scripture ministered to you in difficult circumstances? How is his Word ministering to you currently?6. In what ways has studying the Bible alongside others encouraged or shaped you?7. What’s one thing you want to start, stop, or change in your practice of engaging with Scripture? 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! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Courtney and Melissa talk about the gap between our high expectations for the holidays and the disappointment we often feel in others or in ourselves. They discuss how to be pro-active in preparing our hearts to hope in the Lord rather than in perfection, how to bear the fruit of the Spirit while also meeting the practical needs of those around us, and how inviting nonfamily into family holidays can bring great blessing. Whether you are excited about Thanksgiving and Christmas or tired just thinking about them, listen to this conversation and be encouraged!Resources Mentioned: 6 Ways to Prepare for a Holiday That Will Disappoint (printable pdf) https://media.thegospelcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/10111351/6-Ways-to-Prepare-for-a-Holiday-That-Will-Disappoint-Printable.pdfThe Gift of All Gifts by Melissa KrugerUnto Us: 25 Advent Devotions about the MessiahThe Weary World Rejoices: Daily Devotions for AdventRelated Content:This Thanksgiving, Come to the TableHow Not to Gossip During the HolidaysPreparing for Advent Season DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:1. How have your expectations for the holidays changed over time?2. In what ways can unrealistic expectations set us up for disappointment? What helps you hold your expectations in a healthy way?3. What’s one thing you’re especially looking forward to and one thing you anticipate may be challenging this holiday season?4. What rhythms or practices help you cultivate gratitude—both during the holidays and throughout the rest of the year?5. What conversations or interactions do you want to intentionally prioritize this holiday season, and what might that look like in practice?6. How can your church, small group, or family support those who are experiencing grief, loneliness, or unmet expectations this season?7. Which fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–23) do you most want God to grow in you this holiday season, and why? 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! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Melissa talks with Ann Wilson about the power of words in marriage and the importance of speaking life to one's spouse.Ann recounts a memorable turning point in her 45-year marriage when she realized her many attempts to help or “tweak” her husband were having the opposite effect than intended. They talk about recognizing that every marriage has peaks and valleys and give practical advice for getting through the hard seasons.Recommended Resources:How to Speak Life to Your Husband: When All You Want to Do Is Yell at Him by Ann WilsonThe Meaning of Marriage by Timothy KellerRelated Content:The Deep Dish: Married for GoodTim and Kathy Keller on Marriage in Gospel FocusA Biblical View of MarriageDiscussion Questions:1. Share a bit of your story—if you’re married, how did you and your husband meet? If you’re single, what relationships or experiences have shaped your view of marriage?2. How have you seen yourself and your husband grow or change over the years?3. How has God used marriage (or relationships) as a tool to shape your character and deepen your walk with Christ?4. In what ways would you like to use your words more wisely, especially in prayer and in communication with your husband (or with others in your life)?5. How do you discern when to extend grace and overlook an offense versus when to gently address it? How can you communicate truth in love in those moments?6. What are some intentional ways you can encourage your husband, honor him, or “fill his tank” (or the “tanks” of others in your life) this week?7. How can your discussion partners pray for you and your marriage? 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! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.