God of Creation

God of Creation, a Bible study written by Jen Wilkin, takes an in-depth look at the first 11 chapters of Genesis. Participants are guided by Jen to study using a verse-by-verse method that includes three critical stages of learning: Comprehension, Interpretation, and Application. The 10-week study is organized into 4-5 daily assignments per week followed by a weekly video teaching from Jen. There is an additional 11^th week Wrap-Up Session with no video for those who desire an additional week.

Through the course of the study, participants come face to face with the Almighty, All-powerful, Creator God, Elohim who spoke creation into being as well as the personal, Lord God, I Am, Yahweh, who is intimately involved in the life of man. This in-depth look at what is termed the “seed plot” of the Bible journeys from the creation account through the fall, the flood, and the dispersion at Babel showing God’s heart to redeem and restore the one He created in his own image.

The strengths of this study are numerous:

• The format works well for most small group settings whether they are home groups, individual groups in churches, or large group studies that break off into small discussion groups. The study is set-up to first discuss the homework assignments completed each week; and a Group Discussion Guide is provided which allows the discussion to focus on key observations and applications from each day’s assignments. This is very leader friendly. After the discussion, a video teaching segment from Jen ties the week’s lesson together and solidifies key truths.
• The study itself will be time-friendly to participants and leaders alike. Homework assignments can be completed within 25-35 minutes. The Group Discussion Guide is provided in participant workbooks allowing both students and facilitators to prepare for weekly discussions. This guide provides a discussion that can be managed in 45 minutes to an hour, leaving enough time for a short break before transitioning to the video. The video sessions range from 35-45 minutes, so if you are working within a 2-hour time frame, there is ample time for prayer, homework discussion, and the video.
• While completing homework each week, students will find that God is the primary teacher through His Word. After a brief introduction from Jen, time is spent reading the week’s or day’s passage and answering guided questions. Students who like a focus on reading the Word as opposed to the study writer’s commentary will feel right at home with this method. The teaching segments provided by Jen Wilkin also take a verse-by-verse approach through the week’s passage. Jen is knowledgeable, clear and easy to follow in her teaching, relatable with a few personal anecdotes mixed in for examples, and she always challenges the student to know God with her mind and respond appropriately.
• The main focus of the study is God Himself. The participant book includes a two-page resource that identifies and defines the attributes of God. Ladies are encouraged to identify one attribute each week that has stood out to them the most. These are shared in the weekly discussion time, and everyone benefits from hearing how God has faithfully and uniquely revealed himself to each one around the table.

There are some challenges that accompany this study:

• Most participants will find the questions difficult at points along the way, and while Jen encourages ladies to become comfortable with “the I don’t know” this can be especially discouraging for those who are new to Bible study or who like to have every blank/answer complete. Finding the questions difficult should be expected, and Jen addresses this in one of the video sessions.
• Group leaders who desire to teach rather than facilitate will also struggle and become fatigued trying to explain and deepen every question asked. Leaders who use the Group Discussion Guide as intended fair better than those who try to reteach the lesson.
• The workbook includes a note-taking guide to be used during each video session. Most of these pages are blank, leaving it up to participants to take their own notes. While this frees ladies from the stress of filling in blanks quickly, it does make it more difficult to capture key teaching points for later memory or use.
• Because this study employs some inductive techniques that include underlining, highlighting, and circling with different colored pencils, the text being studied each week is included in the workbook. Participants may find it helpful to print their own text copies on white paper making it easier to use alongside the workbook instead of flipping from questions to text while studying.
• Ladies who desire thematic, application-focused studies may find it difficult to stay the course with God of Creation. A good assistant facilitator will be helpful in encouraging and following up with ladies between group sessions.

Overall, I recommend God of Creation for groups of women who desire to grow in their relationships with God by knowing Him through His Word. To dive more deeply into what was thought to be the familiar beginning of God’s story unearthed treasure that has proven there is always more to learn and know of the God of Creation!