Sharon:
You know, Mike, we’ve had some long talks. And even though we didn’t agree on everything, I’m glad we talked about it all. It made me stop and think about things I sometimes just accept without question.
Mike:
I feel the same way, Sharon. I’ve always been the kind of person who looks for meaning and symbols in the Bible, but hearing your side reminded me how powerful simple faith can be. You trust God’s Word so deeply—it challenged me.
Sharon:
That means a lot. I try to live by the Word because I believe it keeps me steady. When things in life feel confusing, the Bible is like a map I can hold on to. I guess I just never wanted to treat it like a puzzle or a guessing game.
Mike:
And I never meant to treat it that way. I see the Bible more like a painting—some parts are bold and clear, others are softer, more layered. That doesn’t mean it’s less true. But I’ve learned through our talks that I need to respect the structure more, the parts that are black and white.
Sharon:
I appreciate that. And I can admit that sometimes I get nervous when people ask too many questions. Not because I’m scared of answers, but because I don’t want us to lose sight of what really matters.
Mike:
And I’ve realized that you asking us to hold the Bible close, just as it is, comes from a place of love. You love the truth. You’re protecting it, not trying to shut people down. That’s helped me listen better instead of just defending my own view.
Sharon:
Thank you for saying that. And to be honest, I’ve never had such a long, open talk with someone who sees the Bible differently than me and still holds Jesus in the center. That showed me something important.
Mike:
What’s that?
Sharon:
That it’s possible to think differently without walking away from each other. We can disagree and still worship together, pray together, and even learn from each other. That’s something I needed to see with my own eyes.
Mike:
And you know what I learned?
Sharon:
What?
Mike:
That sometimes we don’t need every answer to be figured out to trust God. Your faith reminded me that belief doesn’t always come with a long explanation. Sometimes it’s just saying, “If God said it, I’ll stand on it.” That’s strong faith, Sharon.
Sharon:
Thank you, Mike. But your questions helped me grow, too. I’ve started reading more carefully, not just rushing past the words. I’m asking, “Why did God say it this way?” I think that’s something you taught me—how to read with both heart and thought.
Mike:
And you reminded me that no matter how deep I dig, I need to come back to Jesus at the center. Because if I get so caught up in symbols and theories and forget who the Bible is pointing to, then I’ve missed the whole point.
Sharon:
Yes! That’s the one thing we agreed on from the start. That the Bible leads us to Jesus. That He is the reason we read, study, talk, and even disagree. He’s the anchor.
Mike:
And He’s the bridge. I think He’s the reason we can have these conversations without tearing each other apart. You’re my sister in Christ, even if we don’t interpret every verse the same way.
Sharon:
And you’re my brother. I may not always understand how you see things, but I know you love Jesus. I know you pray. I know you care about others. That’s the fruit of someone who walks with God.
Mike:
That means everything to me. And even though I still believe some parts of the Bible use story and symbol, I also now have more respect for the parts that are direct and firm. You’ve helped me balance things out.
Sharon:
And I’ve learned not to be so afraid of questions. I used to think questioning meant doubt. But now I see that sometimes, questions lead us deeper into truth—not away from it.
Mike:
Exactly. And sometimes, those deep dives into Scripture make us more aware of how much we still need God to guide us. The Bible is a living book. That means it keeps teaching, keeps revealing, and keeps changing us if we let it.
Sharon:
Yes. And I think the biggest thing I’ve learned from all this is that unity doesn’t mean sameness. I can stand firm in my view and still stand beside you. That’s a beautiful thing.
Mike:
It really is. Unity in Christ means we’re connected by something stronger than opinions. It’s about being part of the same body, even if we’re different parts.
Sharon:
Right. The Bible says we’re like the body of Christ. You might be the ear, and I might be the hand. We’re different, but we need each other.
Mike:
I like that picture. And I think the church grows best when it has both—the steady voices like yours that remind us to hold fast to the truth, and the curious voices like mine that keep asking, “What does this mean?”
Sharon:
Together, we might see more clearly. Like two eyes looking from different angles but focusing on the same Savior.
Mike:
Yes. And when we keep our eyes on Jesus, we’re walking in the right direction—even if our steps don’t always match.
Sharon:
So where do we go from here?
Mike:
We keep walking together. We keep reading the Bible, praying, learning, and growing. And when we run into something we don’t agree on, we do what we did here—we talk with kindness.
Sharon:
And we keep reminding each other of the cross. No matter what book we’re studying or what story we’re reading, it all comes back to Jesus.
Mike:
Always. His life, His death, His resurrection—that’s the foundation. That’s the truth we both hold tight.
Sharon:
Then I guess we’re on the same team, even if we wear different shoes.
Mike:
Exactly. And maybe that’s what makes the team stronger.
Sharon:
Thanks for all these talks, Mike. I didn’t think I’d enjoy them at first, but I really did. They stretched me in a good way.
Mike:
Same here, Sharon. I’ve learned a lot. And I’m thankful for your strength and faith. You remind me that God’s Word is a treasure we should never take lightly.
Sharon:
And you remind me that God’s Word is alive, and there’s always something more to discover.
Mike:
So, next week—same time, same place?
Sharon:
Yes. Let’s keep the conversation going. We’re not finished yet.
Mike:
Not even close. The Bible is a big book. And God is a big God. There’s still so much more to talk about.
Sharon:
Then let’s walk forward—together—with our Bibles open and our hearts open too.
Mike:
Amen to that.