This week on Cultivate, we explored the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl from Matthew 13. Charlie Loften and Abigail Boone dove into these simple yet profound stories about the kingdom of heaven—what it truly means to find something of ultimate value and how our perspective shifts once we’ve experienced it. Together, they engaged with the traditional interpretation that places us as seekers who give up everything for a greater purpose, and also grappled with a different theological view that considers Jesus as the one who sacrifices everything for us.

The conversation highlighted how these parables connect to daily life, challenging us to consider what we’re truly pursuing and what we’re willing to let go of for lasting fulfillment. Whether you’re new to faith or wrestling with big questions, this episode invites you to reflect on what holds the deepest value for you—and how finding God’s kingdom changes everything. Join us as we continue asking big questions and seeking real answers in our journey of faith.

This week in our Philippians series, we discussed how joy is made complete through unity and selflessness in the body of Christ. Drawing from Philippians 2:1–11, Charlie Loften highlighted Paul’s teaching on relationships, exploring both the practical call to value others above ourselves and the deep theological truth that Jesus—fully God and fully human—chose humility and service over status. We considered why it can be difficult to live selflessly, and how following Jesus’ example means laying down our own interests for the sake of unity. Through real-life stories and honest reflections, we were invited to rethink how we approach conflict and generosity in our families, churches, and communities. Ultimately, we learned that God lifts up the humble and that true joy comes not just from receiving grace, but from living it out daily. As you listen, take some time to consider how unity and service might deepen your own faith and relationships.

This week on Cultivate, we explored the parable of the mustard seed and the yeast from Matthew 13. Charlie Loften and Abigail Boone unpacked how Jesus used these everyday images—a tiny seed that grows into a huge plant and a small amount of yeast that transforms a whole batch of dough—to explain the surprising nature of God’s kingdom. We discussed the expectations many had for a dramatic, immediate revolution and how Jesus’ vision was something quieter but more subversive: real change starts small, takes root, and eventually reshapes everything around it. Along the way, we learned what these images would have meant to a first-century audience—often carrying unexpected or even negative associations—and why Jesus chose them to challenge the status quo.

We reflected on what it means for the kingdom of God to work slowly and sometimes unexpectedly in our own lives and communities. Join us as we consider how faith grows, often from humble beginnings. Take some time this week to reflect: What small seeds is God planting in your life?