Let's Talk

Sometimes, when a person starts to understand Reformed theology and the sovereignty of God for the first time, it can confuse her prayer life. We wonder, if God has already determined what is going to happen, why pray? Yet God's Word commands us to pray! The Bible clearly doesn't see a contradiction between God's absolute sovereignty and the fact that he works through our prayers.

In this episode of Let's Talk, Jackie Hill Perry, Jasmine Holmes, and Melissa Kruger talk about why we don't pray sometimes, and why we should. Jackie points out that Jesus, who knew God better than anyone else, was very, very prayerful. Prayer draws us close to God, even when he says "no" to something we ask for. Melissa says, "Being a parent has taught me I'd rather say 'yes' to my kids. I would rather do that most of the time. And when I say no, it's typically for their good. It's because I don't want them to get hurt. I see things they can't see. And so the nice thing about the Lord is He sees things we can't see."

This season of Let’s Talk is sponsored by RTS Global, the online program at Reformed Theological Seminary. Learn more at rts.edu/online.

On this final episode of season 3 of Let's Talk, Jackie Hill Perry, Jasmine Holmes, and Melissa Kruger answer listener questions that range all over the place, including:

• What's a tip for improving communication in marriage?
• DIY, yes or no?
• What women's events have impacted you?
• Why don't we talk about women and porn use in the church?
• Do you like sports?
• What's the remedy for compassion fatigue?
• Do you all feel pressure to comment on social media about what's happening in the world?
• What are practical ways to get time away from your kids?
• How do you talk about sex in marriage?
• How do you cope with seasons of loneliness?
• What song do you want sung at your funeral?
• How do you start a conversation when you're seated next to someone at a dinner party?

We hope you've enjoyed this season of Let's Talk!

Mentioned in this episode:

• Does the God of the Bible Hate Women?
• In the Throne Room: The God of Holiness and Hope
• ‘The Church in Her House’: The Dynamic Ministry of Women in Early Christianity
• "Total Praise" by Richard Smallwood

In this first episode of Let’s Talk, a brand-new podcast for women from The Gospel Coalition podcast network, hosts Jackie Hill Perry, Melissa Kruger, and Jasmine Holmes tell their own stories of coming to faith in Christ. Each woman comes from a very different background, but all three recognize that the grace of God led them to repentance and faith. They branch out from their own stories to talk more generally about how we should think about, pray about, and go about sharing our faith with those who don't know Christ.

Our hosts discuss:

• An introduction to the podcast and our hosts (1:07)
• Melissa’s story of coming to faith (3:41)
• Jasmine’s story of coming to faith (5:14)
• Jackie’s story of coming to faith (7:22)
• The cumulative effect of sharing the gospel over time (8:44)
• Sharing the gospel with people who’ve grown up in Christian home (9:56)
• Growing in our ability to share our faith with different types of people (14:20)
• A recipe for gospel presentation (20:13)
• Moving easily into conversations about the gospel (24:33)
• Takeaways for everyday application (30:59)
• One of their favorite things (32:43)

Over the next nine weeks, Jackie, Melissa, and Jasmine will be doing a lot of talking as they seek to apply biblical wisdom to every day life. On each episode they’ll discuss a topic like fighting sin, overcoming church hurt, making decisions, and acting in a godly way on social media. We hope you'll subscribe today so that you can join them each week!

Related Content:

• Gay Girl, Good God (audio)
• We Talk About What We Love (article)
• 3 Overlooked Ways to Do Pre-Evangelism
• Jackie Hill Perry on the Gospel for Sinners (audio)

This episode of Let’s Talk is brought to you in part by International Justice Mission. IJM is a global nonprofit working to end slavery and violence around the world. Across Southern Asia, IJM works to rescue people out of slavery and trafficking. In Latin America, they help children and women who have survived all kinds of violence and abuse. In short, IJM is a community of Christ followers fighting for the freedom and protection of the most vulnerable in our world. Over the last two decades, more than 50,000 individuals have been set free, thanks to people like you who sent IJM to rescue them. But there are thousands more—children, men and women—who are still waiting for rescue. You can make a difference in their lives by becoming a Freedom Partner. Visit IJM.org/LetsTalk to join today. Your consistent support will impact the lives of individuals all over the world.

"I'm defined by what I do."

"I should be able to do it all."

"I have to be married and have kids for my life to matter."

"Women don't need theology."

These are some of the lies Christian women (or men) may be tempted to believe. On this episode of Let's Talk, Melissa Kruger, Jackie Hill Perry, and Jasmine Holmes unpack why we find these lies compelling as well as why we shouldn't believe them. Jasmine points out that a way to combat lies is to follow the example of Mary, sister of Lazarus, by "choosing the better portion," to sit at the feet of Jesus (Luke 10:38–42). We do that by reading and believing his Word.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller

Related content:

• 5 Lies About Your Body
• 5 Misconceptions About Singleness
• 5 Lies Christians Tell About Money
• 3 Reasons Women Need Good Theology
• TGC Q&A: What Does God Say to Those Who Struggle with Body Image?

This season of Let’s Talk is sponsored by RTS Global, the online program at Reformed Theological Seminary. Learn more at rts.edu/online.

In this special edition episode, Collin Hansen is joined by Melissa Kruger as they look back on the big stories and trends of 2022, discuss how God has moved in and through their ministries, and share books that have stuck with them. They also take some time to thank you, their listeners, for encouraging them in the work of Gospelbound and Let's Talk.

To listen to the full episode on the Gospelbound podcast, click here.