This week in our Christmas series, we discussed the promise of hope and light found in Isaiah 9, as Charlie Loften shared how God meets His people in seasons of waiting and uncertainty. Exploring the story of Israel’s divided kingdoms, we looked at the challenges Judah faced under King Ahaz—spiritual darkness, political oppression, and longing for change. The passage’s prophecy, “For to us a child is born,” pointed not just to King Hezekiah’s temporary relief, but ultimately to Jesus, who brings lasting peace, joy, and righteousness. Through personal reflections and historical context, Charlie Loften invited us to consider where we seek resolution and how God’s promises often arrive differently than we expect—meeting us one heart at a time and calling us to celebrate what He’s already done. As we anticipate Christmas, we’re encouraged to wait in hope and let the light and joy of Christ’s coming transform our perspective on everyday struggles. Reflect on where you might need God’s light in your own life and what it means to trust Him in the waiting.

This week on Cultivate, we kicked off our new series exploring the parables of Jesus—those simple yet profound stories that invite us to dig deeper into who God is and how He calls us to live. Charlie Loften and Abigail Boone unpacked what makes a parable unique, contrasting these earthly stories with fables and illustrations, and discussing why Jesus chose this teaching style. We talked through how parables use everyday scenarios—like farmers, servants, and lost coins—to reveal spiritual truths, often leaving us pondering their full meaning long after we hear them.

We also explored the importance of focusing on the main point of a parable, rather than getting lost in the details, and how considering the original audience helps us better understand what Jesus was trying to say. This foundation helps us see how God’s wisdom connects to the realities of our daily lives and relationships. Wherever you are in your faith journey, we invite you to keep asking questions, reflect on these stories, and join us as we look for how God might be speaking to us through them.

This week in our Advent Promises series, we discussed what it means to trust God’s promises even when fulfillment feels far off. Drawing from Jeremiah 23, Charlie Loften explored the story of God’s people living in exile—caught in the gap between hope and reality—as they awaited the promise of a “righteous branch” from David’s line. We looked at how our relationship with God isn’t just transactional, but is founded on His unconditional love and faithfulness, not our ability to be “good enough.” Through biblical history and personal stories, Charlie Loften illustrated how God is constantly restoring people to Himself, even in seasons of struggle and disobedience. We were encouraged to recognize that our security and identity as followers of Christ rest in His righteousness, not our own. As you reflect this week, consider how trusting in God’s grace can reshape your understanding of faith, restoration, and everyday life. Engage further by exploring what it means for you to be reconciled to God and ambassador of His love.

This week on Cultivate, we dove into the practical and sometimes tricky questions around teaching kids about faith and theology. Charlie Loften and Natalie Fink tackled everything from making theological topics interesting for young minds, to navigating family prayer times that don’t always go as planned. Drawing from years of personal parenting and ministry experience, they discussed the importance of creating a positive, welcoming environment where questions are encouraged, and spiritual growth is seen as a journey unique to each child. We explored how to handle incentives in spiritual learning, cultivating genuine faith instead of rote obedience, and what readiness for baptism might look like. Together, we also touched on how to talk about challenging concepts—like the Holy Spirit or forgiveness—in age-appropriate ways. Whether you’re a parent, volunteer, or simply care about helping the next generation know God, this episode is full of practical insights to help make faith conversations a natural part of everyday life. We invite you to listen, reflect, and consider how you can create space for meaningful questions and growth in your own context.

This week in our A Promise Kept series, we discussed God’s covenant with King David and what it means for us today. Charlie Loften walked us through 2 Samuel 7, where God promises David an everlasting legacy—not just a physical kingdom, but a “forever kingdom” ultimately fulfilled in Jesus. We saw how David’s desire to build a temple was met with God’s bigger plan, and how God often gives far more than we imagine. Through stories of family, legacy, and personal hopes, Charlie Loften connected David’s experience to our own longing for significance and peace. We also looked at Luke 1, where the angel tells Mary her son will be the eternal King, tying Jesus directly to God’s promise to David. The message challenged us to see ourselves as ambassadors of this kingdom, sharing hope and joy even in times of struggle. As you listen, consider how God’s promises shape your story and invite you to deeper faith.

This week on Cultivate, we dove into practical ways to teach theology to our kids, especially if we didn’t have it modeled for us growing up. Charlie Loften and Natalie Fink explored the challenges many parents face with feeling unequipped, and offered encouraging steps—like learning together, modeling biblical truths, and using resources such as entry-level theology books and storybook Bibles. We discussed the importance of not shying away from difficult Bible stories, but using discernment to distill deep truths for kids while keeping the heart of the gospel at the center. Biblical parenting imagery, the role of grace and forgiveness in daily life, and the value of habit stacking for faith routines were highlighted as practical tools to nurture young disciples, even in busy households. Finally, we touched on memorization—how creeds, catechisms, and Scripture can help form a foundation of faith that lasts. Take some time to reflect on your own faith journey and consider simple steps to pass on what matters most to the next generation.

This week in our Promises series, we discussed how God’s blessings are meant to flow through us—not just to us. Charlie Loften led us through Genesis 12 and the story of Abraham, highlighting God’s covenant to bless Abraham so that “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” We unpacked how this promise wasn’t about favoritism but about being a conduit of God’s goodness to the entire world—a theme ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, as Charlie Loften explained through Galatians 3.

We also explored how the story invites us to examine the blessings in our own lives and consider how we might share them with others. It’s a call to move from simply being grateful to actively blessing those around us. This episode showed that our faith isn’t just for us, but for us to pass hope and love along. As you listen, consider: How is God asking you to share the blessings you’ve received with those in your world?

This week in our xmas w1 series, we discussed the power of God’s promises and what it means to live with hope in the midst of spiritual battles. Guest speaker Mark opened with reflections on Thanksgiving and traditions, leading into a message centered on Genesis 3 and God’s first gospel promise after the fall. We explored the deep loss of innocence in the Garden, the reality of spiritual warfare described in Ephesians 6, and the certainty that Jesus’ victory over evil is already accomplished. Mark emphasized that, even as we face struggles and see brokenness around us, God’s promise endures—and the final defeat of evil is coming, as revealed in Revelation 19–20. The sermon offered practical encouragement to trust God’s faithfulness, remember that we battle a defeated foe, and ask which “team” we truly belong to. As you listen, consider your place in God’s story and reflect on the hope and restoration Jesus brings to everyday life.