Going Deeper

The kids growing up today have never known a world without screens, algorithms, and endless scrolling. So how do we pass on a living faith to a generation being discipled by their devices?

In this conversation, Shane Pruitt and Shelly Melia unpack the unique challenges and surprising opportunities of reaching Generation Alpha. They look at how technology is quietly shaping this generation's worldview, why relationships will always outpace programs, and what churches, parents, and grandparents can do right now to make a lasting spiritual impact. They also tackle hard realities, including early exposure to pornography, with honesty and hope.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How social media and the digital ecosystem are forming Gen Alpha's beliefs and identity
• Why relationships, not technology, are the heart of real discipleship
• Practical strategies churches can use to engage kids and teens today
• The irreplaceable role parents and grandparents play in spiritual formation
• Why intergenerational ministry matters more than ever
• How to respond proactively to early exposure to digital content and pornography
• What it looks like to model authentic, humble faith in front of the next generation
• Why the gospel remains the ultimate hope for this generation

Shane Pruitt is the National Next Gen Director for the North American Mission Board (NAMB). He has spent more than twenty years in ministry as a church planter, lead pastor, and student pastor, and speaks to thousands of students every year as a traveling evangelist and Bible teacher.

Dr. Shelly Melia is Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Ministry at Dallas Baptist University, where she directs the Master of Arts programs in Children's Ministry and Family Ministry. She brings 25+ years of children's and family ministry experience and is also a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Get the Book

Reaching Generation Alpha: A Ministry Guide for Discipling the Church Beyond the Screen (B&H Publishing, 2026)

Amazon (paperback): https://www.amazon.com/Reaching-Generation-Alpha-Ministry-Discipling/dp/B0FQH9W4BH

Connect with Shane Pruitt

• Website: https://shanepruitt.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shane_pruitt78/
• X: https://x.com/shane_pruitt78
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShanePruittTX/

Connect with Dr. Shelly Melia

• DBU faculty page: https://www.dbu.edu/ministry/about/shelly-melia.html

What does it look like to move beyond simply consuming Scripture and actually let it shape the way we live?

In this episode, Mikella Van Dyke shares practical ways to deepen your Bible study, build sustainable spiritual habits, and grow in faith through community. We talk about Scripture meditation, micro habits, intergenerational relationships, biblical literacy, and learning to approach spiritual disciplines with grace rather than guilt.

In this episode:

• Moving from consuming Scripture to meditating on it
• Building sustainable Bible-study habits
• Using micro habits and everyday routines
• Growing through intergenerational community
• The impact of social media on biblical literacy
• Practicing spiritual disciplines without perfectionism or guilt

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
04:03 The privilege of having the Bible in your language
08:00 Relational and community faith
12:02 Scripture beyond sound bites
15:46 Building sustainable habits
17:55 Intergenerational faith
20:05 Scripture in daily routines
28:04 Church community and spiritual growth
29:46 Grace over perfectionism
34:07 Micro habits
38:03 Praying for children and family
42:01 Community and accountability
46:05 Final thoughts

We live in a world obsessed with platform—followers, reach, metrics, influence. But what if the way of Jesus runs in the exact opposite direction? In this solo episode, I dig into the tension between the world's way of empire and the countercultural way of God's kingdom. From the Tower of Babel to the temptation of Christ to the upside-down leadership of the cross, we'll trace what Scripture actually shows us about building something that lasts—and what it looks like for believers to navigate social media with humility, purpose, and integrity. If you've ever felt the pull to build your own name online, this one's a gut check and an invitation.

In this episode:

• The temptation to build a platform—and why Satan's offer to Jesus still echoes today
• How social media metrics shape our hearts and our idea of influence
• The Tower of Babel as a picture of empire: making a name for ourselves
• Building for self vs. building for the kingdom
• Jesus' upside-down kingdom, where the way up is down
• The cross as the ultimate act of sacrificial leadership—"the King of kings on the cross"
• How the early church influenced the world through humility and even persecution
• Jesus' surprising approach to crowds, platforms, rest, and relationship
• Practical ways to live out kingdom values in a digital world

Timestamps:

• 00:00 — Introduction: the temptation of platform building
• 02:15 — The influence of social media and its temptations
• 11:26 — The Tower of Babel and the heart of empire
• 16:14 — The contrast: building for self vs. building for the kingdom
• 20:38 — Jesus' upside-down kingdom and humility
• 26:28 — Jesus' sacrificial leadership and the cross
• 30:23 — The early church's model of influence and persecution
• 36:06 — Jesus' approach to platforms and crowds
• 39:06 — The importance of rest and relationship in influence
• 43:30 — Living out kingdom values in a digital world

What do you do when God's justice, His love, or His goodness stops making sense? In this episode, biblical scholar Chad Bird joins me to talk honestly about wrestling with faith's hardest questions. Chad shares his own journey through failure and a dark night of the soul, and brings deep biblical insight to the tensions many of us are afraid to name—God's sovereignty over calamity, the nature of hell and divine justice, and what eternal life in Christ actually means. This is a rich, thoughtful conversation for anyone who has ever doubted and wondered whether their questions disqualify them. They don't.

In this episode Chad answers: 

1. Isaiah 45:7 says God “creates calamity.” What does that mean—and does it mean God creates moral evil?
2. “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated”—what does that mean? What did Esau do for God to hate him?
3. How should we understand the violence God commands or is directly associated with in the Old Testament—and what would you say to someone who says, “I can’t worship a God like that”?
4. Jesus said, “Ask and you will receive.” How do we reconcile that promise with the many sincere prayers that seem to go unanswered?
5. Why has the doctrine of hell become such a debated and touchy topic—and how should Christians approach questions like eternal conscious torment versus annihilation with both grace and truth?

Timestamps:

• 00:00 — Introduction to Chad Bird and his journey
• 11:34 — Chad's dark night of the soul
• 23:54 — Exploring difficult biblical questions
• 35:32 — Understanding God's nature and justice
• 47:56 — The concept of hell and eternal life
• 59:11 — Encouragement for the questioning believer

Resources & links:

• Chad Bird's website — https://chadbird.com
• 1517 — https://fifteenseventeen.org
• Instagram — https://instagram.com/chadbird
• Twitter/X — https://twitter.com/chadbird

What if your mornings could be sacred instead of stressful—no matter whether you're a natural early riser or someone who dreads the alarm? In this episode, author Jennifer Dukes Lee joins me to reframe the whole idea of the "morning person." We dig into why God Himself is a morning person, what Scripture actually says about the significance of mornings, and how to start your day with Him in a way that fits your real personality, season, and chronotype. Jennifer brings both biblical depth and grounded practicality—covering sleep, rest, negative self-talk, small rituals, and how to keep showing up in the hard seasons of grief and darkness. If mornings have felt like something you're always failing at, this conversation is an invitation to begin again.

In this episode:

• Why "you're a morning person because God is a morning person"—and what being made in His image has to do with your alarm clock
• What Scripture reveals about the significance and grittiness of biblical mornings
• Reframing what "morning person" even means, beyond the 5 a.m. ideal
• The foundational role of sleep and rest in a good morning
• How family upbringing and cultural narratives (and social media) shape how we see mornings
• Understanding your morning archetype and embracing your God-given personality
• Navigating grief, mourning, and dark seasons without abandoning your routine
• Why we shouldn't leave God in the quiet time—but carry Him through the whole day
• Simple, realistic steps to build a morning rhythm you can actually keep

Timestamps:
00:00 — Introduction and morning struggles
02:53 — The importance of mornings in Scripture
06:09 — Reframing the concept of "morning person"
08:56 — The role of sleep in morning success
11:47 — Family influence on morning routines
14:55 — Cultural narratives and social media influence
18:14 — Practical steps to improve mornings
20:57 — The gritty reality of biblical mornings
23:57 — Finding hope in the morning
33:32 — Morning struggles and expectations
33:55 — Understanding morning archetypes
43:03 — Navigating grief and mourning
49:22 — Finding God in dark seasons
56:14 — Creating meaningful morning rituals

Links:

How to Love Your Morning by Jennifer Dukes Lee — https://howtoloveyourmorning.com
Jennifer's website — https://jenniferdukeslee.com
Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/jenniferdukeslee/
Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/jenniferdukeslee

If you've ever wanted to know God more deeply but struggled to stay consistent in His Word, this conversation is for you. I sit down with Bible teacher Bethany Lauren (Simply Bible on Instagram)—pastor's wife, mom of two, and classical high school literature and philosophy teacher—to talk about why Bible study matters, the mistakes that keep us stuck, and simple, practical ways to make Scripture a real part of daily life. Bethany shares her own story of coming to the Word as a grieving seven-year-old who lost her mom, and how a leather-bound Bible from her grandparents became her lifeline. We get honest about distraction, the tension between the intellect and the heart, and why no amount of Christian content can replace time alone with Jesus in the "prayer closet."

Follow Bethany:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simply_bible/

Substack: https://substack.com/@simplybible/

Join her book club here. 

In this episode:

• Bethany's story: finding God in the Word after loss
• The two biggest distractions from Bible study—phone addiction and the to-do list—and how to fight them
• "Bible first, work second": protecting time in the Word when ministry is your job
• Why enjoying Scripture matters more than performing it, and how to romanticize your time in the Word
• Reading fluency, easier translations, and letting go of the shame around both
• The two big Bible study mistakes: cherry-picking verses vs. worshiping perfect interpretation
• Why loving the Bible isn't the same as knowing Christ—and the danger of "outsourced discipleship"
• Holding intellect and heart together without losing either
• Faith as a community project: why the quiet time should propel us outward
• A simple three-stage framework for overwhelmed readers

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Bible study and its significance
02:12 Bethany's personal journey and passion for scripture
06:47 Common distractions and how to overcome them
14:49 Different approaches to engaging with the Bible
20:07 The importance of reading the Bible as a letter or novel
24:58 Practical tips for starting and maintaining Bible study
30:13 Avoiding cherry-picking verses and misinterpretation
35:04 The role of grace and humility in Bible study
40:13 The importance of community and sharing faith experiences
44:57 Practical steps for creating a dedicated space for prayer and study
50:05 The balance between study, prayer, and service
54:47 Encouragement for those feeling overwhelmed or distracted
01:00:04 The significance of grace and God's faithfulness in our journey

What if productivity isn't about doing more, but about stewarding your life for God's glory? In this episode, Reagan Rose (founder of Redeeming Productivity) joins me to unpack what the Bible actually says about work, fruitfulness, and faithfulness. We get into why so much of modern productivity culture runs on a secular engine, how the heart behind our work matters more than the output, and practical ways to fight the distractions—phone addiction chief among them—that keep us from living intentionally. Whether you're drowning in a to-do list or wondering if God even cares how you spend your Tuesday afternoon, this conversation reframes the whole thing.

In this episode:
Why secular and biblical views of productivity ultimately collide
Productivity as stewardship rather than self-interest
How fruitfulness—not output—is the Bible's picture of a productive life
The Holy Spirit as the power source for our work, not sheer self-discipline
Redeeming mundane tasks through heart and attitude
The real roots of procrastination, and practical ways to fight it
Striving hard while still resting in grace
Managing attention and digital distraction in a phone-addicted age
Pruning commitments to live with purpose

Timestamps:
00:00 — Introduction and guest introduction
01:21 — Reagan's journey into Christian productivity
03:20 — Where secular and biblical views of productivity collide
06:20 — The lack of practical discipleship in the church
07:40 — Defining biblical productivity: stewardship vs. self-interest
10:12 — Living in the Spirit: fruitfulness and connection to Christ
11:38 — Does God care about productivity? Eternal vs. earthly focus
14:05 — The power source: Holy Spirit vs. self-discipline
17:26 — Redeeming mundane tasks: heart and attitude
20:13 — Living with an eternal mindset in daily life
23:01 — The problem of procrastination: heart and systems
26:44 — Practical strategies to overcome procrastination
36:37 — Balancing effort and grace: striving in the Spirit
39:29 — The ambition of the early church vs. modern ambition
45:42 — Managing attention and digital distractions
50:36 — Pruning commitments and living intentionally
55:17 — The call to serve and the mission from God
58:33 — The role of the church and spiritual gifts
01:00:03 — Living with purpose: the gospel and daily work
01:01:00 — Closing remarks and resources

What does God actually say about womanhood? In a culture where the answer shifts depending on who you ask—redefine it, reject it, celebrate it, reinvent it—this episode goes back to Scripture itself. Justine sits down with author and Bible teacher Jen Oshman to talk about her Bible study Very Good, which traces the entire storyline of Scripture to recover God's beautiful design for women. Whether you're single, married, working, raising children, or simply trying to follow Jesus faithfully, this conversation offers clarity, encouragement, and a fresh invitation to open the Bible for yourself.

About Jen Oshman

Jen Oshman has been married for 27 years and is a mother to four daughters. After 15 years on the mission field in Japan and the Czech Republic, she returned to Colorado, where she and her husband unexpectedly planted a church in their living room. Alongside her church work, Jen is passionate about writing and speaking. She's the author of several books and Bible studies, including Very Good and Created on Purpose: God's Design for Girls.

What We Cover in This Episode

A global perspective on gender roles. Fifteen years overseas gave Jen a vantage point most American Christians never get. In many parts of the world, the conversation centers on the call to evangelize and teach—not on debating the limits placed on women. Returning to the U.S., she was struck by how negative and restrictive the discussion had become, fixated on what women can't do rather than what they're called to.

Why she wrote Very Good. Rather than telling women what to think, Jen invites them to explore Scripture for themselves. She hands readers the tools of hermeneutics so they can interpret the Bible in context and arrive at a confident, grounded understanding of God's design.

Keeping secondary issues in their place. Jen makes the case that questions about women in ministry, while genuinely important, shouldn't overshadow the primary doctrines of salvation and the nature of God. She advocates for unity among believers who can support their convictions from Scripture, even when they land in different places.

The women of Scripture you need to know. From Tamar and Rahab to Jesus' interactions with women in Luke, Jen highlights how God consistently uses complex, real women to advance His kingdom—and what their stories reveal about His design.

Key Takeaways

• Biblical womanhood is rooted in Scripture and meant to be understood in a far broader context than cultural limitations.
• Engaging the Bible personally empowers women to find their own voices and convictions.
• Unity in the church means holding firmly to primary issues while making room for diverse views on secondary matters.
• Studying the whole Bible—not isolated proof-texts—is essential to understanding women's roles.

Chapter Markers

• 00:00 — Introduction to biblical womanhood and God's design
• 01:05 — Jen Oshman's background and call to ministry
• 04:19 — Cultural differences in understanding women's roles
• 05:46 — The importance of studying Scripture in context
• 15:13 — Genesis and the creation of woman
• 17:58 — The meaning of "helper" in biblical context
• 19:52 — Partnership and responsibility in God's design
• 28:53 — Stories of women in Scripture: Tamar and Rahab
• 45:29 — Jesus' interactions with women in Luke
• 52:36 — Living out your calling as a woman today

Resources Mentioned

• Very Good Bible Study by Jen Oshman — find it on Amazon
• Created on Purpose: God's Design for Girls — find it on Amazon

Connect with Jen Oshman

• Website: jenoshman.com
• Instagram: @jenoshman

Want to dive deeper? Pick up Jen's Bible study Very Good for a comprehensive look at what God says about womanhood—and don't forget to subscribe to Going Deeper wherever you listen.

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Keywords

biblical womanhood, God's design for women, what does the Bible say about women, women in Scripture, biblical womanhood Bible study, Christian womanhood, gender roles in the Bible, women in ministry, Genesis design for women, ezer helper Hebrew meaning, studying Scripture in context, Christian women podcast, unity in the church secondary issues, Tamar and Rahab Bible stories, single married working Christian women, recovering God's design for women

We treat spiritual disciplines like a self-improvement checklist—read the Bible, pray, show up—and then wonder why it all feels like one more thing to manage. This episode digs into what's actually missing: not more willpower or a better routine, but dependency on God. When we reframe prayer and Scripture as lifelines rather than optional habits, everything changes.

In this episode:

• Why treating spiritual disciplines as optional turns them into a to-do list
• The difference between self-improvement and genuine spiritual growth
• How inconsistency often signals a dependency problem, not a discipline problem
• The armor of God (Ephesians 6) as a framework for relying on His strength
• Esther as a model of dependency—prayer and fasting before facing the king

Key takeaways:

• Spiritual disciplines aren't optional habits; they're the means of connecting with God
• Dependency on God is the engine of real spiritual growth
• Consistency flows from reliance, not the other way around

Timestamps:

• 1:08 — Intro: what spiritual disciplines are missing
• 3:57 — Treating spiritual disciplines as optional habits
• 8:08 — Main thesis: disciplines as a means to know God, not an end
• 11:02 — Inconsistency traced to a lack of dependence on God
• 14:44 — Disciplines as lifelines and weapons of warfare
• 17:27 — Ephesians 6 and the armor of God
• 21:17 — The example of Esther
• 28:10 — Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace
• 33:30 — Dependency #1: depending on God in the valley
• 36:37 — Dependency #2: depending on God for sanctification
• 38:36 — Naming a sin struggle and pursuing change
• 41:27 — Dane Ortlund's Deeper on despairing of self and opening to the Spirit
• 46:00 — Dependency #3: depending on God through faith-building experiences
• 53:53 — Jesus: "the Son can do nothing of his own accord"
• 58:12 — Jesus as deeply dependent on the Father
• 59:10 — Psalm 119's "give me life," the vine and branches, life in God's Word
• 65:32 — Recap of the three dependency categories
• 70:22 — Closing CTAs and book update
• 71:51 — Bonus: practical prayer and Bible reading tools
• 76:02 — Final wrap-up

In this episode of the Going Deeper podcast, I sit down with speaker Shelbi Shutt to talk about faith, suffering, and what real comfort looks like in a world obsessed with ease and leisure. Shelbi lives with muscular dystrophy, and her story has profoundly shaped the way she understands the good life, discipleship, and the presence of God. Her honesty pushes us to examine what we run to for comfort and whether those places actually bring life.

We talk about how suffering exposes the beliefs we carry beneath the surface. She shares how her diagnosis forced her to confront the “Jesus plus” gospel she didn’t realize she held, and how choosing to participate in the sufferings of Christ has formed her spiritual maturity. She reminds us that true comfort is found in the presence of God.

In a world filled with noise, discipling our attention becomes a real part of following Jesus. We explore how prayer reorients us, how lament and celebration can coexist, and how resurrection life isn’t just a future hope but a present reality that shapes our perspective today.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JustineCheri

Subscribe to The Digest: https://justinecheri.kit.com/ab6b561afa

Connect with Shelbi: https://solo.to/shelbishutt

Shelbi's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelbishutt/

Timestamps:

00:00 — Introduction
 04:19 — Shelbi’s Journey and Diagnosis
 07:17 — Faith and Suffering
 10:20 — The Good Life and the Jesus Plus Gospel
 16:27 — The Role of Suffering in Spiritual Growth
 19:16 — The Illusion of Worldly Comfort
 25:14 — Prayer and True Comfort
 28:20 — Paradise and the Hope of Restoration
 31:34 — Living in the Resurrection Life
 40:19 — Discipling Our Attention in a Distracted World
 42:16 — Longing for the Presence of the Lord
 44:55 — Lament and Celebration: Coexisting Realities
 48:31 — Finding Comfort in Daily Struggles
 52:43 — Current Projects and Future Aspirations