Grief touches every part of life — our hearts, our relationships, and the way we show up to one another. In this episode, Gary and Kathy Stowie share the story of a profound loss and how it shaped them individually and as a family. We’re also joined by Nancy Kingma, a counselor who walks with individuals and families through grief and trauma, offering insight into how couples can remain connected with compassion, patience, and grace. This tender conversation invites us to slow down, honor the weight of loss, and remember that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted.

Discussion Questions:

1. What stood out to you from Gary and Kathy’s story or from Nancy’s insights?
2. How has grief touched your life or the life of those close to you?
3. When you are hurting, how do you feel most cared for?
4. What might it look like to simply be with someone in their grief rather than trying to fix it?How can we become more comfortable creating space for grief—in our marriages, friendships, and church family?
5. Who in your life might be carrying grief quietly?
6. For those currently experiencing grief, what has been challenging and what has helped? Where have you sensed God meeting you?

In Acts 9, Saul’s encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus marks one of the most dramatic transformations in all of Scripture — but it’s more than a story of conversion; it’s a story of being undone and remade. We explore how true conversion always begins with a personal encounter with God that shatters pride, exposes sin, and births new life.

We’ll trace Saul’s journey from zealous persecutor to humbled apostle, unpacking how his blindness became a symbol of spiritual death and resurrection, and how God’s grace pursued him even in rebellion. This conversation invites you to reflect on your own story of transformation — to ask where God may be confronting, humbling, or restoring you.

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Passage: Acts 9

Sermon Link:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

They were doing all the right things—raising kids, building careers, keeping busy. But somewhere along the way, Greg and Kris Zimmer’s marriage started running on empty. What began as busyness turned into distance, and before they knew it, the divorce papers were on the table. In this episode, they share how God stepped in, woke them up, and began rebuilding a love that was nearly lost.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does busyness look like in your current season of marriage? How is it affecting your ability to connect?

2. In what ways has “doing good things” (career, kids, church, commitments) ever distracted you from “being present” in your marriage?

3. How do pride, avoidance, or exhaustion make it harder to admit when your relationship is in trouble?

4. What are some healthy ways you and your spouse can check in on your connection before disconnection takes root?

5. What does repentance or humility look like in marriage when one or both spouses realize things need to change?

6. Do we need to make any changes in our marriage or family to prioritize a healthier marriage?