The Conversations

Volume One

It all begins with a question. Maybe you're wrestling with a challenging passage of Scripture. Maybe you're seeking deeper understanding of ancient wisdom. Or maybe you're looking for authentic discussions about faith in today's world. Whatever brings you here, these conversations about Scripture—born from social media but rooted in timeless truth—will transform the way you engage with God's Word.

As seen on Tik Tok @angelita.del.arte

What you’ll get

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    Raw, honest conversations that mirror your own questions about faith and Scripture.

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    Fresh perspectives on complex Scripture passages, delivered through natural conversation rather than formal lectures.

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    Perfect foundation for the upcoming study guide, helping you engage more deeply with each conversation and Scripture passage discussed.

What’s inside

Journey alongside Angela as she explores one of Scripture's most challenging passages with her professor. In this thoughtful dialogue, they unpack Jesus's statement about bringing "not peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34) through gentle metaphors and profound insights. Watch as complex theological concepts unfold through natural conversation, supported by beautiful artwork that captures these moments of discovery.

Sample Conversation:

Professor:

Ah, my dear, you've stumbled upon one of those magnificent paradoxes that make Christianity so profound. Think of it this way: when light enters a room, what happens to the darkness? It creates a division, doesn't it? The sword Jesus speaks of isn't a literal weapon, but rather the sharp edge of truth that inevitably divides those who accept it from those who reject it.

Angela:

Professor, I've been reading Matthew 10, and I'm struggling with verse 34 where Jesus says He didn't come to bring peace but a sword. It seems to contradict the image of Jesus as the Prince of Peace.

Angela:

But why would Jesus want to cause division? Especially within families, as He mentions in the following verses?

Professor:

*chuckling warmly* Consider this: if you were to suddenly stop participating in something your family considers normal but you've discovered to be wrong, wouldn't that create tension? Christ isn't advocating for division – He's describing its inevitability. Truth, by its very nature, divides. It's rather like what happens when you drop a chemical into a solution that separates elements – the division reveals what was already there.

Angela:

I see... But then there's this part about taking up our cross. It sounds so... final.

Professor:

 *leaning forward in her chair* Indeed, it is final! But remember, what is a cross? In Christ's time, it wasn't just any suffering – it was a chosen death, a deliberate surrender. When He tells us to take up our cross, He's not merely suggesting we endure hardship; He's calling us to a daily death of self. Rather like how a seed must die to bring forth life. Have you ever noticed how throughout nature, death and resurrection are woven into the very fabric of existence?

Angela:

That's interesting... but then He talks about finding life by losing it. It seems contradictory.

Professor:

 *eyes twinkling* Contradictory? Only on the surface, my dear. It's rather like what happens when you hold onto a handful of sand – the tighter you grip, the more it slips through your fingers. But open your palm, and you can hold it quite nicely. The same principle applies to life itself. When we clutch desperately at our own sovereignty, we lose the very thing we're trying to preserve. But when we surrender it to Christ... ah, that's when we truly begin to live!

Angela:

 I also noticed Jesus sends out the disciples with almost nothing – no extra clothes, no money. That seems impractical in today's world.

Professor:

*smiling thoughtfully* The principle, dear one, transcends the literal application. What our Lord was teaching wasn't a universal prohibition against possessions, but rather a lesson in absolute dependence on God. Rather like a swimming instructor who must first teach their students to float before they can swim. The disciples needed to learn that God's provision was sufficient before they could handle the complexities of ministry with resources.

Angela:

So would you say this chapter is more about principles than literal instructions?

Professor:

 *nodding* Precisely! Though don't mistake principles for mere abstractions. These are living truths, as real as gravity. The core message remains startlingly relevant: absolute loyalty to Christ, complete dependence on God, and the cost of discipleship. Each generation must work out how these truths translate into their context, but the truths themselves are as solid as the mountains and as fresh as morning dew.

Angela:

That helps explain it. But I'm still confused about verse 16 – being wise as serpents but innocent as doves. How do we balance that?

Professor:

*brightening at the question* Ah! Now there's a delightful paradox! Think of it this way: a serpent's wisdom lies in its ability to assess danger and navigate difficult terrain, while a dove's innocence manifests in its pure intentions. Christ is calling us to be neither naive do-gooders nor clever schemers, but rather to combine practical wisdom with moral purity. Rather like a skilled physician who must know all about diseases while maintaining the purpose of healing. We must understand the world's ways without adopting its values.

Angela:

That makes this chapter feel less like a set of impossible demands and more like... well, a handbook for real discipleship.

Professor:

*beaming* Exactly! And isn't that just like our Lord? He never sugar-coats the cost, but He always provides the grace to meet it. Remember, the same chapter that speaks of persecution also promises that even the hairs on our head are numbered. Divine love and divine demands are two sides of the same coin.

Each chapter pairs these authentic dialogues with custom illustrations, creating spaces where ancient wisdom meets modern questions. Through conversations like these, readers find their own questions echoed and answered in unexpected ways.

✺ Frequently asked questions ✺

  • Yes! As many as possible will be included. I will let everyone know where the cut off is as I am still posting everyday and will be doing so up until the book is ready to be printed and sold.

  • Not at all! While the conversations originated on TikTok, they stand independently as powerful dialogues. The book presents them in a thoughtfully designed format with accompanying artwork that enhances the reading experience.

  • Absolutely! The conversational format makes complex theological concepts accessible to readers at any stage of their faith journey. The natural dialogue style helps demystify challenging passages while maintaining their depth.