Overview
“The Way of Wisdom” is a comprehensive Bible study that brings together six of today’s most respected Bible teachers to explore the timeless wisdom of Proverbs. Published by Lifeway Christian Resources, this collaborative study features Jen Wilkin, Ruth Chou Simons, Kelly Minter, Adrienne Camp, Elizabeth Woodson, and Courtney Doctor, each bringing their unique perspectives and expertise to illuminate the practical wisdom found in Scripture’s wisdom literature.
The book of Proverbs describes godly wisdom as a path that leads to life and flourishing, while warning of the folly of worldly wisdom as a path that leads to the grave. This study addresses the daily choice between the true riches of God’s instruction and the fool’s gold of earthly pursuits, making ancient wisdom relevant for modern life.
The Way of Wisdom is an 8-session Bible study designed for both individual study and small group discussion, combining scholarly insight with practical application. The study includes 8 teaching videos and discussion guides for small groups, making it an ideal resource for churches, Bible study groups, and individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of biblical wisdom.
Key Takeaways
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Genre | Christian Bible Study/Biblical Wisdom Literature |
| Publisher | Lifeway Christian Resources |
| Format | Bible Study Book with Video Access |
| Study Length | 8 sessions |
| Biblical Focus | Book of Proverbs |
| Teaching Style | Collaborative multi-teacher approach |
| Target Audience | Christian women and mixed groups seeking biblical wisdom |
| Study Components | Written lessons, video teaching, discussion questions |
| Practical Application | Everyday topics and life situations |
| Group Suitability | Small groups, Sunday school classes, individual study |
| Additional Formats | Spiral-bound edition available |
| Video Integration | Streaming access included with study book |
Book Structure
The study is thoughtfully organized into eight sessions that systematically explore the wisdom principles found throughout Proverbs, with each session building upon previous foundations of understanding.
Study Framework:
Session Foundation:
- Introduction to biblical wisdom vs. worldly wisdom
- Understanding the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom
- Establishing the relevance of ancient proverbs to modern life
Practical Wisdom Applications:
- Wisdom principles applied to everyday topics including relationships, work, finances, and decision-making
- Character development through wisdom literature
- Discernment between godly counsel and worldly advice
Relational Wisdom:
- Marriage and family relationships guided by Proverbs
- Friendships and community interactions
- Parenting with biblical wisdom principles
Life Navigation:
- Career and workplace wisdom
- Financial stewardship and generosity
- Communication and conflict resolution
Spiritual Growth:
- Developing a heart that seeks wisdom
- Prayer and wisdom-seeking practices
- Discovering how wisdom in Proverbs leads to abundant life, healthy relationships, and a fulfilling walk with God
Teaching Components:
- Written lesson for personal study and reflection
- Video teaching segment featuring the expert teachers
- Small group discussion questions and activities
- Practical application exercises and challenges
- Scripture memory verses and meditation prompts
About the Authors
This study brings together a remarkable team of six Bible teachers, each contributing their unique strengths and perspectives to create a rich, multi-faceted exploration of Proverbs.
Jen Wilkin Jen Wilkin is an author and Bible teacher from Dallas, Texas, who has organized and led studies for women in home, church, and parachurch contexts. Her passion is to see others become articulate and committed followers of Christ, with a clear understanding of why they believe what they believe. As a bestselling author and dynamic Bible teacher, she is an advocate for Bible literacy. Her methodical, scholarly approach to Scripture study has influenced thousands of women to approach God’s Word with both reverence and intellectual rigor.
Ruth Chou Simons Ruth Chou Simons is a bestselling author, artist, and speaker known for her beautiful integration of art, Scripture, and practical wisdom. Her background in design and her heart for discipleship create a unique perspective that helps women see the beauty of God’s truth in everyday life. She brings creativity and visual learning to the study experience.
Kelly Minter Kelly Minter is an author, speaker, songwriter, and singer who combines her musical background with deep biblical teaching. Her experience in both worship leading and Bible teaching brings a unique perspective to understanding the poetic and musical elements of wisdom literature. Her approach helps students connect emotionally and spiritually with the text.
Adrienne Camp Adrienne Camp brings her experience as both a musician and Bible teacher to the study. Her background in contemporary Christian music, combined with her passion for Scripture, offers a perspective that resonates particularly with younger audiences while maintaining biblical depth.
Elizabeth Woodson Elizabeth Woodson is known for her thoughtful approach to biblical interpretation and her heart for racial reconciliation within the church. She brings important perspectives on justice, community, and biblical wisdom that speak to contemporary social issues.
Courtney Doctor Courtney Doctor is a respected Bible teacher and conference speaker known for her clear exposition of Scripture and practical application. Her systematic approach to Bible study and her heart for discipleship contribute significantly to the study’s theological depth.
Collaborative Strength: This team represents diverse backgrounds, ages, and experiences while maintaining a unified commitment to biblical authority and practical application. Their collaboration ensures the study speaks to various learning styles and life circumstances.
Why This Book Resonates
“The Way of Wisdom” addresses multiple needs within the contemporary Christian community, making it particularly relevant and impactful for modern believers seeking practical spiritual guidance.
Timeless Relevance:
- Addresses the universal human need for wisdom in decision-making
- Bridges the gap between ancient biblical text and contemporary life challenges
- Provides practical tools for navigating complex modern relationships and situations
- Offers biblical alternatives to secular self-help and wisdom traditions
Collaborative Appeal:
- Multiple teaching voices prevent monotony and provide varied perspectives
- Different teachers connect with different learning styles and backgrounds
- Creates a sense of community even in individual study
- Models healthy biblical interpretation through multiple perspectives
Practical Application:
- Moves beyond theoretical Bible study to practical life application
- Addresses everyday topics that women face in their daily lives
- Provides concrete strategies for implementing biblical wisdom
- Creates accountability through group discussion and application challenges
Spiritual Formation:
- Emphasizes heart transformation alongside intellectual understanding
- Integrates worship and devotion with study and application
- Encourages development of spiritual disciplines related to wisdom-seeking
- Builds confidence in biblical wisdom over worldly alternatives
Community Building:
- Designed specifically for group interaction and discussion
- Creates opportunities for mutual encouragement and accountability
- Facilitates deeper relationships through shared study experience
- Provides framework for mentoring and discipleship relationships
Biblical Authority:
- Maintains high view of Scripture throughout the study
- Teaches proper biblical interpretation and application methods
- Encourages direct engagement with the biblical text
- Builds confidence in the sufficiency and relevance of God’s Word
Ideal Audience
Primary Audience:
- Christian Women (Ages 25-65): Women seeking practical biblical wisdom for daily life, relationships, and decision-making
- Bible Study Groups: Established women’s Bible study groups looking for their next study focus
- Small Group Leaders: Church leaders seeking quality curriculum for small group ministry
- Individual Studiers: Women committed to personal spiritual growth and Bible study
Secondary Audience:
- Mixed Gender Groups: Churches and Bible study communities that include both men and women
- Young Adult Christians: College-age and young professional Christians seeking wisdom for life transitions
- Mothers and Wives: Women in family leadership roles seeking biblical guidance for relationships and child-rearing
- Christian Educators: Sunday school teachers and Bible study facilitators looking for quality curriculum
Denominational Appeal:
- Evangelical Christians: Those who hold to biblical authority and seek practical application
- Reformed and Presbyterian: Churches emphasizing systematic theology and biblical exposition
- Baptist and Non-denominational: Communities focused on practical Bible teaching and application
- Pentecostal and Charismatic: Groups seeking both Spirit-led insight and biblical grounding
Experience Levels:
- New Christians: Accessible enough for those newer to Bible study while maintaining depth
- Mature Believers: Challenging enough for experienced students seeking fresh insights
- Bible Study Veterans: Those comfortable with in-depth biblical exploration and application
- Study Leaders: Experienced facilitators who can guide group discussions and applications
Life Circumstances:
- Working Professionals: Those needing workplace wisdom and career guidance
- Stay-at-home Mothers: Women seeking biblical wisdom for family management and relationships
- Empty Nesters: Those navigating life transitions and seeking renewed purpose
- Students: Those in academic settings seeking biblical wisdom for studies and relationships
Memorable Quote
“Every day we face the choice between the true riches of God’s instruction or the fool’s gold of earthly pleasures and pursuits.”
This powerful statement from the study encapsulates the central tension addressed throughout Proverbs and the entire study. It highlights the daily, practical nature of wisdom choices while contrasting the eternal value of God’s instruction with the temporary allure of worldly alternatives. This quote serves as a touchstone for participants, reminding them that wisdom is not merely theoretical but involves concrete choices made in ordinary moments that shape the trajectory of their lives.
The imagery of “true riches” versus “fool’s gold” particularly resonates in a materialistic culture, helping participants understand that authentic prosperity comes through following God’s wisdom rather than pursuing worldly success metrics.
Central Themes
| Theme | Exploration in the Study |
|---|---|
| Fear of the Lord | Establishes the foundational principle that true wisdom begins with proper reverence and relationship with God, not mere intellectual knowledge |
| Practical Daily Wisdom | Demonstrates how biblical principles apply to everyday decisions including relationships, work, communication, and financial stewardship |
| Character Formation | Explores how wisdom shapes character traits like humility, diligence, integrity, and self-control through consistent application of biblical principles |
| Relational Wisdom | Examines biblical guidance for marriage, parenting, friendship, and community relationships through the lens of Proverbs |
| Discernment Development | Teaches participants how to distinguish between godly and worldly counsel, developing spiritual discernment for complex life situations |
| Communication and Words | Focuses extensively on the power of words, proper speech, listening skills, and conflict resolution based on Proverbs’ teachings |
| Work and Diligence | Addresses biblical perspectives on career, work ethic, leadership, and professional relationships through wisdom literature |
| Financial Stewardship | Covers biblical principles of money management, generosity, contentment, and the proper relationship between wealth and wisdom |
| Consequences and Choices | Emphasizes how wisdom and folly lead to different life outcomes, encouraging thoughtful decision-making with eternal perspective |
| Community and Accountability | Highlights the importance of wise counselors, accountability relationships, and learning from others’ experiences and biblical examples |
FAQ
Q: Is this study suitable for beginners to Bible study? A: Yes, while the study maintains biblical depth, the teaching approach and discussion format make it accessible to those newer to Bible study. The video components and varied teaching styles help different learners engage with the material.
Q: How long does each session take to complete? A: Each session is designed for approximately 1.5-2 hours of group time, including video teaching and discussion. Individual preparation time varies but typically requires 30-60 minutes per session.
Q: Can this study be done individually without a group? A: Absolutely. While designed with group discussion in mind, the study works well for individual learners. The video teaching components and reflection questions provide structure for personal study.
Q: What makes this study different from other Proverbs studies? A: The collaborative approach with six different teachers provides varied perspectives and teaching styles. The integration of video teaching with written material and the focus on practical application make it particularly comprehensive.
Q: Is there homework or preparation required between sessions? A: Yes, each session includes personal study components designed to prepare participants for group discussion and help them apply the principles throughout the week.
Q: What Bible translation is used in the study? A: The study is designed to work with multiple Bible translations, though specific references should be checked in the study materials for the primary translation used.
Q: Are there additional resources available for study leaders? A: Lifeway typically provides leader guides and additional resources for group facilitators, including tips for leading discussions and additional application ideas.
Q: How current and relevant is the application to modern life? A: The study specifically addresses everyday topics and modern life situations, making ancient wisdom practical for contemporary challenges including technology, career pressures, and modern relationship dynamics.
Final Thoughts
“The Way of Wisdom” represents a significant contribution to contemporary Christian Bible study curriculum, successfully bridging the gap between ancient biblical text and modern practical application. The collaborative approach of bringing together six respected Bible teachers creates a rich, multi-dimensional exploration of Proverbs that speaks to various learning styles and life circumstances.
The study’s greatest strength lies in its practical relevance. Rather than treating Proverbs as merely historical literature, the authors demonstrate how these ancient wisdom principles provide guidance for contemporary challenges including workplace ethics, relationship dynamics, financial decisions, and personal character development. The promise that participants will discover how wisdom in Proverbs leads to abundant life, healthy relationships, and a fulfilling walk with God is fulfilled through concrete application exercises and real-life examples.
The integration of video teaching with written study materials creates a comprehensive learning experience that accommodates different preferences and schedules. The discussion questions and group activities foster community building while encouraging personal growth and accountability. This combination makes the study valuable for both individual spiritual development and church ministry programming.
For church leaders, this study offers a ready-made curriculum that requires minimal preparation while delivering substantial biblical content. The reputation and expertise of the contributing teachers provide confidence in the theological accuracy and practical wisdom of the material. The eight-session format fits well into typical church programming cycles while allowing sufficient time for meaningful engagement with the text.
The study succeeds in making the book of Proverbs accessible without sacrificing depth. Beginners to Bible study will find clear guidance and practical application, while experienced students will discover fresh insights and renewed appreciation for wisdom literature. The collaborative teaching approach prevents the monotony that can sometimes characterize single-author studies while maintaining theological consistency throughout.
Perhaps most importantly, “The Way of Wisdom” addresses a genuine need in contemporary Christian culture. In an age of information overload and competing wisdom sources, this study helps believers develop discernment and confidence in biblical truth. By addressing the daily choice between God’s instruction and worldly pursuits, it equips participants to make wise decisions that honor God and lead to flourishing life.
Links
Official Sources:
- Lifeway Christian Resources – The Way of Wisdom
- Jen Wilkin Official Website
- Ruth Chou Simons Official Website
Purchase Options:
