
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


Send us Fan Mail
Is your Bible collecting dust while your phone never leaves your hand? Josiah Queen’s song “Dusty Bibles” hits close to home, doesn’t it? In this episode, we take that convicting image and follow it straight into Scripture—where King Josiah literally rediscovered God’s Word after years of neglect. His response? Humility, repentance, and bold action that changed a nation.
What could happen if we did the same? Join me as we explore Josiah’s story in 2 Kings 22–23 and uncover practical ways to move beyond neglect and let God’s Word transform our lives. Grab your Bible (or your audio app!) and let’s dust it off together.
Key Points
Scriptures Referenced
BITEs (Bible Interaction Tool Exercises)
Additional Resources
This Week's Challenge
Let’s dust off our Bibles, cleanse our lives of our idols, and let God’s Word be our guide. With that in mind, read Josiah’s narrative in context — read 2 Kings 21-23. Be sure to follow the cross references to 2 Chronicles 34-35. Meditate on Josiah’s interaction with God and His Word. How did he respond? How could we emulate him as we interact with God and Scripture?
Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!
Send us Fan Mail
What happens when you change one word in the title of a classic Christmas hymn? A new perspective and a fresh reason to dive into Scripture. This week’s song, “O Come, All You Unfaithful” by Sovereign Grace Music, invites us to consider the people God included in the Christmas story—and how we are just like them.
This song flips the script on who is invited to come and see what God has done. Instead of calling the faithful to gather in celebration, it beckons the weary, the broken, and the unfaithful—the ones who feel disqualified. That single word change in the title opens the door for us to explore the heart of God revealed in Scripture: a God who draws near to the weak and the waiting, the guilty and the hiding, and offers hope through Christ’s birth.
Key Points
Scriptures Referenced
BITEs (Bible Interaction Tool Exercises)
Additional Resources
This Week's Challenge
Read Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2. I suggest reading the text aloud alone or with a friend. The story is familiar, and this habit will slow you down. Download the Episode Guide for a list of the human characteristics featured in our song, and look for these characteristics in the real people featured in the Christmas narrative. Read the prophecy of Hosea and compare and contrast the faithfulness of God to the unfaithfulness of His people. Then turn back to the Christmas story—come and see what God has done. Christ is born for you.
Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!
Send us Fan Mail
This week, we use “Sweet Baby Jesus” by Carrie Underwood to meditate on the miracle and mystery of the incarnation — Jesus, fully God and fully man, wrapped in the fragile form of a baby. As you revisit the Christmas story this season, don’t miss the weight of what God has done and the wonder held in the hypostatic union [and yes, I will define this].
As we officially step into the Christmas season, let's turn our attention to the birth of Christ — not as a sentimental scene, but as the breathtaking reality of God putting on flesh to save us. Join me in the pages of Scripture to explore the humanity and deity of Christ, the theological significance of the incarnation, and why it matters for your faith today.
Key Points
Scriptures Referenced
BITEs (Bible Interaction Tool Exercises)
Additional Resources
This Week's Challenge
Read Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2 this week. I challenge you to slow down and maybe even read it out loud to keep a familiar passage fresh. Download the Episode Guide to follow along with Scripture references that display the humanity and deity of Christ. Ask the Lord to reveal to you what aspects of His nature you would rather not think about, and then turn in confession and repentance and believe in ALL that Jesus is — fully human, fully God.
Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!
Send us Fan Mail
Do you ever feel like you should have “arrived” by now? The truth is, sanctification is a lifelong process, and God’s grace is still at work in us. Crowder reminds us of this in his song “STILL”, and this week we’ll use it as inspiration to dive into Scripture.
In this episode, I introduce a new Bible study method called WHALES that helped me uncover fresh insights in the book of Jonah. Jonah’s story is a powerful example of God’s patience and steadfast love—even when we run the other way. If God was still working on Jonah, we can trust He’s still working on us.
Key Points
Scripture References
BITEs (Bible Interaction Tool Exercises)
Additional Resources
This Week's Challenge
Try the new Bible Study Method I introduced (W.H.A.L.E.S.) to study the book of Jonah. Really lean into the examine step as we move from first impressions to deeper understanding and transformation.
Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!
Send us Fan Mail
Have you ever meditated on the thief on the cross next to Jesus? In this week’s episode of More Than a Song, I explore Melanie Penn’s powerful track “Man On The Middle Cross,” a song sung from the perspective of that repentant criminal. His story—one of mockery turned to mourning, and ultimately to mercy—invites us to reflect deeply on the grace of salvation. Join me as we dive into Luke’s Gospel and uncover the beauty of redemption through the eyes of a man who received eternal life in his final moments.
Key Points
Scripture References
Bible Interaction Tool Exercises (BITEs)
Additional Resources
This Week's Challenge
Read Luke 22-24 several times over several days. Make a list of every example of mourning. Make a list of every instance of mocking. Journal your observations and thoughts around both. Consider that the repentant criminal on the cross was a real person with a genuine experience of Christ and is truly in paradise with our Savior to this day. Believe in the Lord like this man and allow repentance to lead you to a right relationship and eternal salvation.
Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!
Send us Fan Mail
Welcome to Friday With Friends! I have the distinct privilege of meeting incredible followers of Christ who have amazing ministries, fascinating careers, and incredible hobbies and pet projects that flow out of their identity in Christ.
While my podcast is a solo show, I still want a venue to introduce you to these friends as examples of the multifaceted ways God works in and through His people.
In this episode, I have the privilege of hosting Melanie Penn to discuss how God's Word influences her personal and professional life, as well as her new album, The Rising - A Resurrection Album, a compelling collection of original songs that chronicle the pivotal period between Christ's burial and His ascension.
Melanie Penn is a Nashville-based songwriter at the crossroads of faith and culture. After studying classical voice in college, she moved to New York City and pursued musical theatre, where she enjoyed several years as a mainstay in the theatre scene, most notably playing Sandy on the Broadway national tour of Grease! starring Frankie Avalon. After years in the Broadway scene, Melanie transitioned to songwriting and started a collaboration with Nashville producer Ben Shive. Melanie is also a worship leader and, for many years, served at Redeemer Presbyterian Church under the leadership of author and theologian Tim Keller. She has been called "a New York songwriter in the age of skepticism."
Don't miss this interview for a unique insight into Melanie's interaction with God's Word and how soaking in the resurrection of Christ for over two years changed her.
And get ready for an episode of More Than a Song using her song Man On The Middle Cross to dive into Scripture coming soon!
Melanie's Free Gift for YOU
Complete lyrics to all of the songs on her album, The Rising - A Resurrection Album, with Scripture references for you to explore.
Yes, please!
Connect with Melanie
Bonus: Melanie's Mom's BITE
Melanie shared a Bible Interaction Tool Exercise that her mom uses in this interview, but I love it in "Mom's words" because she's just so precious. Not to mention, it's fabulous advice!
Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!
Send us Fan Mail
What does the church look like when it reflects the truth of Scripture? Inspired by Tauren Wells’ song Let The Church Sing, I explore the “one” statements in Ephesians 4 and the declarations of God’s uniqueness in Jeremiah and Isaiah. This episode is a call to meditate deeply on God’s character and to examine whether we’ve allowed our structures, traditions, or programs to become idols in our worship.
Key Points
Bible Interaction Tool Exercises (BITEs)
Additional Resources
This Week's Challenge
Read Jeremiah 10 and keep on reading. Recognize that God is very concerned with anything that sets itself up to take the highest place of honor and worship. Prayerfully ask God to reveal if there is anything in your heart, mind, or life that you are expecting to deliver you that is ANYTHING but God Himself. Meditate on God and the ways there is no one like Him. And stop putting up with anything less than HIM.
Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!
Send us Fan Mail
This week, I’m celebrating the first birthday of my novel, A Seat at the Table. Just as the songs I feature each week point readers back to Scripture, I wrote my book to do the same. Joy’s story may be fictional, but the truths she wrestles with are very real. Together, let’s use elements of her journey to launch us into Scripture as we consider the authority of God’s Word and how we can apply it to our lives.
In this episode, we dive into David’s story in 1 Chronicles. At first, David relies on his mighty men for advice on moving the Ark of the Covenant—but he doesn’t consult God’s Word. The result is tragic. Later, David pauses, goes back to the Scriptures, and discovers God’s clear instructions. His course correction reminds us that our good intentions aren’t enough—we need God’s truth to guide us.
Key Points
Additional Resources
This Week's Challenge
Read 1 Chronicles 10-16 to get the full context of what is happening with David and the Ark of the Covenant. Meditate on the type of men David sought counsel from and recognize that what was lacking was the voice of God in the process. Use my free Episode Guide to help guide your study of this account in Scripture. If you’re inspired to develop a Biblical worldview like Nanette talks to Joy about in my novel A Seat at the Table, I’ve put together a paid Bible study that will give you a roadmap to walk you through six ways to interact with God's Word using Psalm 103, another Scripture I introduce in “A Seat at the Table.” Finally, if you’re interested in reading the novel, I’ll link to it in the show notes. It’s also available on Amazon, and you can learn more at michellenezat.com/books.
Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!
Send us Fan Mail
Have you ever felt like your joy was slipping away — stolen by circumstances, injustice, or waiting for God to move?
Josiah Queen’s song “Can’t Steal My Joy” declares a deeper truth: the joy God gives isn’t tied to what’s happening around us, and the world can’t take away what it didn’t give.
This week on More Than a Song, we’re exploring the book of Habakkuk — a short but powerful conversation between a prophet and God about violence, injustice, confusion, and ultimately, unwavering trust. As we follow Habakkuk’s journey from questioning to rejoicing, we’ll discover how to choose joy even in seasons that don’t make sense.
Key Points
Bible Interaction Tool Exercises (BITEs) Used
Additional Resources
This Week's Challenge
Read and listen to Habakkuk on repeat. Write down your observations and then watch the Bible Project overview video about Habakkuk. Write down your own questions for God and ask Him to reveal His answers. In the meantime, write out your own prayer in the pattern of Habakkuk’s song in chapter three. Be sure to include the choice to be joyful in the God of your salvation.
Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!
Send us Fan Mail
Fear can creep in when our circumstances shake us, but what if God offers us something better? This week’s song, “No Fear” by Jon Reddick, leads us to explore the very first mention of fear in Scripture and how God’s perfect love casts it out. Together we’ll trace fear from the Garden of Eden to John’s letter of assurance, discovering how to rest in the confidence of God’s unshakable love.
Key Points
Scripture References
Bible Interaction Tool Exercises (BITEs) Used
Additional Resources
This Week's Challenge
Read Genesis 1-3, making note of details that may hint at Adam and God’s “history” and relationship with one another. How do those details inform how Adam responded with the first mention of fear in the Bible? Read 1 John — the whole letter — and then focus in on 1 John 4 where John teaches us that perfect love casts out fear. As you meditate on Scripture, seek to answer these questions: What is the source of perfect love? Is it possible for our love to be perfected? Then note what areas of your life are riddled with fear and ask God to open the eyes of your heart (not just your mind) to the perfect love He offers.
Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!
From the publisher's feed
More Than a Song is a bi-weekly podcast dedicated to helping you discover the truth of Scripture hidden in today's popular Christian music. Each episode teaches you to connect portions of God's…

1,411 Listeners

4,795 Listeners

1,536 Listeners

1,878 Listeners

638 Listeners

2,264 Listeners

7,105 Listeners

6,602 Listeners

2,827 Listeners

1,799 Listeners

491 Listeners

1,691 Listeners

318 Listeners

2,706 Listeners

2,118 Listeners