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

In this episode of the Going Deeper podcast, I sit down with my own acquisitions editor, Eddie Larow of Baker Books. We talk about what an acquisitions editor actually does, how he helps authors connect with the readers who need their message, and how my own unexpected journey into authorship was guided by God’s timing.

From there, we widen the conversation to the cultural landscape shaping Gen Z: their longing for home, the pull toward community, and the deep sense of spiritual homelessness many young adults feel in a secular age. We explore how modernity and mobility have created restlessness, why “nomadic modernity” captures so much of our cultural moment, and how the return to historic churches reveals a desire for structure, order, and rootedness.

We end with a call to localism—pursuing embodied, committed community right where we live.

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

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

Eddie's Article "Gen Z Longs for Home": https://firstthings.com/gen-z-longs-for-home/ 

Eddie's Substack: https://substack.com/@eddielarow

Timestamps:

00:00 — Introduction
 02:05 — Understanding the Role of an Acquisitions Editor
 04:30 — The Journey to Authorship
 09:45 — Cultural Observations: Gen Z’s Longing for Home
 13:10 — The Impact of Modernity on Community and Belonging
 19:07 — Exploring Nomadic Modernity and Its Implications
 27:20 — Cultural Shifts and the Search for Authenticity
 31:21 — Nostalgia and the Desire to Return to Simplicity
 33:46 — The Skills Gap and Superficiality in Trad Aesthetics
 37:32 — Spiritual Homelessness and the Need for Community
 41:24 — The Search for Objective Truth in a Postmodern World
 47:04 — The Longing for Tradition and Authenticity in Faith
 52:51 — Ecumenical Unity and the Pursuit of Christ
 01:00:47 — Localism and the Call to Community Engagement

In this episode, I’m sharing why Advent has become such a meaningful season for me—one marked by anticipation, preparation, and a deliberate slowing down. I talk through some of the practices my family and I are leaning into this year, why I’m taking a step back from social media, and how intentional rhythms can make room for real peace and hope.

I also walk through a reading from Philippians and reflect on the themes of humility, contentment, and the true cost of following Jesus. My prayer is that this conversation helps you sink deeper into Scripture and cultivate a heart that’s attentive to Christ as we move toward Christmas.

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

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

Submit a question: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlDg0tCmIGqGkh9vpzf99V3x76AnMeuGZKlaC-umTajMKinA/viewform?usp=header

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction to Advent and Personal Reflection

06:12 – Embracing Advent: Intentional Practices

11:55 – Reading and Reflecting on Philippians

48:29 – Conclusion and Future Conversations

In this episode of Going Deeper, I talk with Sharon Hodde Miller about the growing problem of self-righteousness among Christians online, especially after Charlie Kirk's assassination. We unpack how the self-esteem movement has shaped how many believers think about identity and worth—and how it fosters the idea that we are called to self-discovery rather than self-denial. Sharon also shares biblical wisdom on modesty and humility in appearance, revealing that modesty may not be so much about covering up as about being intentional about dressing in a way that fosters compassion rather than comparison. 

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

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

Submit a question: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlDg0tCmIGqGkh9vpzf99V3x76AnMeuGZKlaC-umTajMKinA/viewform?usp=header

Free of Me Book: https://sheworships.com/free-of-me/

Gazing at God Book: https://sheworships.com/gazing-at-god/

Follow Sharon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonhmiller/

In this episode of Going Deeper, I’m unpacking the idea of the “Wellness Gospel”—the subtle belief that health and self-optimization can save us. I share about my own journey with health and wellness, and how something good slowly became an identity that distanced me from Jesus. I talk about how easy it is to elevate health, balance, and self-care above obedience and surrender, and how the true gospel of Jesus calls us into something far more radical. Through Scripture, I contrast the Wellness Gospel with the real gospel—the one that invites us to lose our lives for Christ’s sake and trust Him completely.

I also answered a listener's question about feeling distant from God. I share how faith isn’t about chasing feelings but about knowing God and remembering His faithfulness, even when our emotions waver. My hope is that this episode helps you see the difference between caring for your body and worshiping it—and reminds you that real wellness begins with a soul anchored in Him.

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

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

Submit a question: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlDg0tCmIGqGkh9vpzf99V3x76AnMeuGZKlaC-umTajMKinA/viewform?usp=header

Chapters
00:00 — Today's Agenda
03:12 — My Wellness Story
12:45 — The Wellness Gospel
23:30 — A Biblical View of Health
32:18 — Radical Faith 
38:50 — Listener Question: Feeling Distant from God

Keywords
wellness gospel, health, faith, Jesus, radical verses, self-help, spirituality, holistic health, personal journey, listener question

In this episode of Going Deeper, we're talking about ChatGPT boundaries, Influencer culture, and the spiritual discipline of Bible reading—and why its so hard. My hope is that this episode encourages you to stay spiritually awake and intentional as we learn to follow Jesus faithfully in a world driven by technology.

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

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

Submit a question: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlDg0tCmIGqGkh9vpzf99V3x76AnMeuGZKlaC-umTajMKinA/viewform?usp=header

Timestamps:
00:00 — Introduction and Overview
02:19 — The Bible Bag and Prayer Practices
07:47 — Navigating AI and ChatGPT Boundaries
27:32 — The Rise of AI Influencers
36:07 — Understanding the Challenges of Bible Reading

In this episode, I’m joined by Griffin Gooch to talk about one of the most misunderstood topics in both culture and the church—happiness. Griffin is a theologian and writer who’s exploring what it really means to live a happy and holy life, and how our understanding of happiness has shifted throughout history.

We dig into the Beatitudes as Jesus’s surprising pathway to joy, how pleasure, meaning, and growth each play a role in true happiness, and why pursuing happiness for its own sake often leaves us emptier than before. Griffin also shares practical, gospel-shaped ways to navigate mental health struggles, practice gratitude, and find lasting fulfillment through community and service.

If you’ve ever wrestled with the tension between happiness and holiness, or wondered what Jesus actually meant by the “abundant life,” this conversation will challenge and encourage you in the best way.

Follow Griffin on Substack: https://griffingooch.substack.com/ 

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

Subscribe to my newsletter: https://justinecheri.kit.com/ab6b561afa

Submit a question: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlDg0tCmIGqGkh9vpzf99V3x76AnMeuGZKlaC-umTajMKinA/viewform?usp=header

Welcome back to Going Deeper! After a short break, I’m so excited to return with a brand-new season—and to finally share a few updates on what’s been happening behind the scenes, including my upcoming book on the “good life” and my new newsletter, The Digest. 

In today’s episode, we’re diving into several big conversations happening across Christian culture—from Forrest Frank’s decision not to attend the Dove Awards, to the online discourse surrounding Jackie Hill Perry and Christian Nationalism, and even the controversy surrounding Taylor Swift’s latest album. These cultural moments have raised numerous questions about personal convictions, Christian liberty, and what unity entails within the body of Christ.

We’ll talk about how to discern between sin and personal conviction, why sanctification looks different for every believer, and how to practice humility and grace when we disagree. At the heart of it all is this: how can we live in the world but not of it, and what does God say about how we should live as witnesses of Jesus? 

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

Subscribe to my newsletter: https://justinecheri.kit.com/ab6b561afa

Submit a question: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlDg0tCmIGqGkh9vpzf99V3x76AnMeuGZKlaC-umTajMKinA/viewform?usp=header

Timestamps:
00:00 — Welcome Back + Book Update
03:16 — Cultural Observations 
06:26 — Forrest Frank’s and the Dove Awards
12:18 — Jackie Hill Perry, Allie Stuckey, and Online Discourse
15:09 — Is listening to Taylor Swift a sin?
27:44 — Charitable Disagreeing
31:54 — Conformity to the World
36:11 — Friendship with the World 
44:13 — Loving the World 
50:11 — Being in the World but Not of It
54:14 — Answering Listener Question