Charlie and Abigail dive into bibliology in this week’s Cultivate Podcast, exploring the complexities of the Bible’s inspiration, canonization, and interpretation. We delve into how sacred texts, like the Bible and even the U.S. Constitution, are often seen as “living documents” and what that means for interpretation. Charlie emphasizes the importance of understanding the original intent behind scripture, while Abigail brings a modern twist to biblical figures. Together, they highlight the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding us to properly interpret and apply God’s word, stressing the need for community, study, and spiritual discernment.

This week, Charlie dives into the delicate balance between faith and money, kicking off a new series with a powerful personal story. He shares how selling tickets to a major game to prioritize his daughter's birthday taught him about values and priorities—only to have her choose a youth ministry event instead! Using this story as a backdrop, Charlie explores how we navigate the tension between personal interests and God’s call on our lives. We are challenged to reflect on our relationship with money, as Charlie unpacks Jesus’ teachings from Matthew 6:19-24 about storing up treasures in heaven. He emphasizes that true freedom comes from generosity and aligning our finances with our faith. Through stories of real-life transformation, we are invited to see giving as an act of worship. Join us as we explore how to put God at the center of financial decisions, making faith our ultimate priority.

What does the Greek word mammon mean? Why is money an incomplete translation?

What does Jesus mean that you can’t serve both God and mammon? How have you seen that play out?

How can giving be an act of worship? What can it do for your heart?

Charlie and Abigail dive into the fascinating journey of how the Bible was historically compiled and canonized. Together, they explore the careful process early Christians followed to recognize sacred texts, discussing key criteria like apostolic authority, universal acceptance, and the inherent power of these writings. The episode also tackles controversies surrounding certain books, like Revelation and Hebrews, shedding light on the human and transparent nature of these pivotal decisions.

We invite you to consider the reliability and trustworthiness of the Bible, as Charlie and Abigail explain how translations today connect directly to the original languages and are meticulously cross-checked. They also touch on historical events, such as the Reformation and the printing press, and their impact on Christian practices and scripture inclusion.

This episode encourages questions and curiosity, welcoming listener inquiries for future discussions. Join us for a deeper understanding of the Bible’s origins and trustworthiness on Cultivate!

In this week’s episode, Mark to dives into one of the Bible’s most unusual stories from Exodus 4, where Moses encounters a surprising divine threat on his way to Egypt. Together, they explore the significance of this intense moment, highlighting the quick-thinking actions of Moses’ wife, Zipporah, in saving his life through an emergency circumcision. We invite you to reflect on the themes of faithfulness, commitment, and God’s covenant. Join us for this thought-provoking conversation, and take a step deeper into understanding God’s call to obedience and faith.

Questions for discussion:

1. We see how the origin story of Moses uniquely set him up to be the person God would use to confront Pharaoh. What about your story has uniquely positioned you?

2. Moses knew that the slavery of the Hebrew people wasn't right and lashed out in anger. What NOT SO good thing have you done that was driven by good motives?

3. Moses must have questioned everything in Midian. What belief of your childhood has been challenged as you got older?

4. When God calls Moses to act he is hesitant and overly pessimistic. What in your life today have you become disproportionately negative about because of past losses?

5. The circumcision of their son was a step of faithfulness that Moses and Zipporah had neglected. What is the step of faithful obedience that you might be neglecting...and what do you expect the consequences of that choice to be?

6. What would it look like (what would have to change) to simply do the things you know God wants you to do?

This week, Charlie and Abigail dive into *bibliology*, the study of the Bible, exploring what it means for scripture to be “God-breathed” and inspired. With lighthearted banter, they lead into a rich discussion on the authority of scripture, drawing from passages like 2 Timothy 3:16 and 2 Peter 1:20-21 to explain how God’s guidance shaped the Bible’s creation.

Charlie and Abigail also tackle questions about translation, the balance between divine inspiration and human authorship, and the significance of traditional male authorship in the Bible’s context. We invite you to reflect on these insights and join the conversation by sending in your questions and thoughts. This episode offers a thoughtful look at the nature of scripture, providing a foundation for those wanting to understand the Bible’s role in faith and life.

This week, Charlie dives into the bold story of Jael, a woman who defied cultural norms to fulfill a God-given mission. By taking down Sisera with a tent peg, Jael showed incredible courage and revealed themes of divine timing and seizing opportunities. Charlie connects Jael’s actions to our lives today, sharing real-life stories about how God places people and circumstances perfectly in our paths, from a chance encounter that helped a man overcome addiction to the timely arrival of an electrician who saved the day at church.

We invite you to trust in your unique abilities and stay alert for God-orchestrated moments. With a look at the roles of Jael, Deborah, and Barak in Judges 4, this episode underscores the importance of courage, faith, and recognizing the roles God calls us to.

What stands out most in the story to you?

What do we learn about God from how the story plays out?

What makes Jael and unlikely hero?

What do we learn from her?

In this episode, Charlie and Abigail dive into the fascinating concepts of mercy, justice, grace, and fairness through the lens of systematic theology. Using relatable examples, they break down how these divine attributes of God are intertwined and what that means for us in our everyday lives. From the idea of pleading for mercy after breaking a rule to the profound interplay between God’s justice and grace, they offer insightful reflections on God’s nature.

We invite you to explore these themes with us, considering how God's all-loving nature relates to human experiences of justice, suffering, and grace. Charlie and Abigail also touch on the difference between equality and equity, sharing practical metaphors and Biblical stories, like Noah’s Ark, to illustrate these points. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion, plus book recommendations to deepen your faith journey. Don't miss next week's dive into Bibliology, the study of the Bible!

In this episode Charlie dives into one of the most unusual and perplexing stories in the Bible. Focusing on the Prophet Elijah’s fiery ascent to heaven and Elisha’s role in confronting idol worship, Charlie unpacks their powerful impact in a time of miraculous events. Things take a surprising turn as he explores the story of Elisha cursing a group of mocking boys, leading to a shocking event involving two bears.

We invite you to reflect on how to reconcile difficult passages like this one, as Charlie breaks down the cultural and religious context while emphasizing that God is good, and the Bible is true. Through personal stories and deep insights, Charlie challenges us to trust in God’s word, even when it’s hard to understand. Join us for an engaging and thoughtful discussion, and don't forget to check out the upcoming men's retreat and Sunday services at The Grove Church!

What about this story feels problematic?

What is the best mindset to have when dealing with a difficult passage?

Why is it important to stay grounded in God and his word?

What do we learn about God from this story? How does this story expand our view of God?