This week in our Unity series, we opened with Paul’s words in Ephesians 4 and explored what it means to live as one body in Christ. Charlie challenged us to see unity not as something we must achieve but as something already true because of the Spirit within us. We were reminded that humility, gentleness, and patience are essential for living out our calling as one church. Even when disagreements arise, we are invited to “fight like family,” not enemies, recognizing that what binds us together is greater than what divides us. This message calls us to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace so that the world may see Christ’s love through us.

How do we know we are already unified?

Why doesn’t our experience match the truth?

How can we work to experience unity?

What does that work require from us?

This week on Cultivate, we explored what it really means to “walk by the Spirit” from Galatians 5. Charlie and Abigail unpacked the ongoing battle between the Spirit and the flesh, emphasizing that the Christian life is not about behavior modification or rule-keeping but about living from the Spirit’s power within us. We discussed how the fruit of the Spirit is a singular fruit—an internal transformation that produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The conversation also highlighted the difference between external religious practices and genuine Spirit-filled living, the role of prayer in discerning God’s voice, and the pitfalls of equating spirituality only with outward actions. This episode challenges us to consider whether our lives reflect the Spirit’s inner work or if we’re still trying to manage our way to goodness.

This week we wrapped up our focus on the gospel by looking at what it means to live on mission together as the body of Christ. Charlie shared from Ephesians 4 about how God designed the church to function as one body, with every believer equipped for works of service. We unpacked how sharing the gospel, showing the gospel, and serving in unity are not separate callings but parts of one mission. From the “green pool” story to Paul’s imagery of maturity and stability in Christ, this message challenged us to see ourselves as active participants in God’s work. When each of us embraces our role—bringing our gifts, serving one another, and stepping into opportunities—together we become a strong, unified church that reflects the fullness of Christ to the world.

In this week’s Cultivate episode, we continue our series on pneumatology—the study of the Holy Spirit—by exploring His ongoing work in the lives of both believers and non-believers. Charlie and Abigail walk through John 16 and other passages to unpack the Spirit’s role in convicting the world of sin, guiding believers toward righteousness, and reminding us of the stakes of judgment. We discuss four primary works of the Holy Spirit for believers: regeneration, sealing, indwelling, and baptism into the body of Christ. Along the way, we address the difference between conviction and shame, the partnership between Scripture knowledge and the Spirit’s voice, and how to recognize His gentle guidance in our daily lives. This conversation offers practical tools and biblical insight to help you discern God’s voice and live in step with His Spirit.

This week in our To the Churches series, we looked at how Jesus calls His church to both share and show the gospel. Drawing from Luke 17:11–19, Charlie unpacked the story of the ten lepers—where Jesus met a physical need without requiring an immediate spiritual return. We explored the false dichotomy many churches face between proclaiming truth and extending tangible love, and how Scripture calls us to embrace both. Through personal stories and biblical examples, we were challenged to see meeting physical needs as inherently good, while also hoping and praying for the deeper spiritual transformation only God can bring. Whether we see the end result or not, every act of kindness can be a step in God’s bigger plan to bring hope, healing, and salvation.

Who exactly is the Holy Spirit—and why does it matter that we get that right? In this week’s Cultivate episode, Charlie and Abigail begin a new conversation on pneumatology, the theology of the Holy Spirit. With their usual balance of clarity and curiosity, they break down what it means to say that the Holy Spirit isn’t just a vague force but a fully divine person—eternal, all-knowing, and present with us.

They explore how different traditions treat the Spirit, what Scripture actually reveals, and how our language can both help and hinder our understanding. This episode is a helpful starting point if you’ve ever wondered about the Holy Spirit’s identity, how He works, or how He fits into the bigger story of God.

This week we launched a new sermon series focused on our mission as a church and the call to share the gospel with the people around us. Pastor Charlie walks us through the story of Jesus and the woman at the well in John 4, showing how Jesus approached people with intentionality, compassion, and creativity. Along the way, Charlie shares personal stories, humor, and practical insight to help us see the power of combining truth and love when we talk about our faith. This message is an invitation to step into the mission of Jesus with open eyes, open hearts, and the confidence that God is already at work in the lives of those we meet.

What is the gospel? Why is it important to share the gospel?

How do we know this meeting with the woman was intentional on Jesus part? What does that tell us?

Why did Jesus use the living water metaphor with her? How does it illustrate the gospel ?

How did Jesus bring both truth and love to her? How can we do the same?

We want to know what you want to hear on the Cultivate Podcast. What topics, questions, or ideas would you love for us to explore? Whether it’s a deep dive into Scripture, a faith question you’ve been wrestling with, or a conversation about life and culture—we’d love to hear it.

Your input will help shape future episodes and guide where we go in the weeks and months ahead. Share your ideas anytime at info@thegrovechurch.org or visit thegrovechurch.org. We can’t wait to hear from you!