Learning about God’s Good Design
A group of ladies spent about 10 months reading and discussing “God’s Good Design” by Claire Smith. This was a follow-up from the sermon series “God’s Design for Men and Women”. The sessions began with someone in the group sharing about an aspect of their life as a woman, before the group discusses a chapter of the book. Angela Ang was part of this group and she shares some thoughts and encouragement from the time they spent together reading for almost a year.
I was invited to join this by Ruth, and this is my first time in a group like this. I found the title of the book interesting — God‘s good design for what the Bible really says about men and women. I was also interested as the author is a woman, a former nurse in Australia, like I was. I was drawn to the group as I thought it would be a good way to get to know other ladies in GBC.
During our first discussion, this question stood out to me: “Why must the written word of God, the Bible, be our ultimate guide in what we believe and in living a godly life?” From this first session, I was convicted that Scripture — words breathed out by God – is our guide in what we believe and in living a godly life. Therefore with this foundation, my heart was ready to read and obey.
After reading this book, I am assured of my role as a woman in the church, with a greater biblical conviction of God’s design for women. I was also reminded that none of us exist alone and God has placed us all in relationships. In the creation account, in Genesis 2:8, God said. “It is not good that the man should be alone“. In God’s goodness, He created Eve and Adam was no longer alone. For us today, God has also made us men and women and relate to one another as parents, siblings, friends, workmates, at church. We are all able to experience complementarity and have our part to play in the body of Christ as both men and women. I have tried to apply what we have read. For example, I have started praying for our elders and married couples to complement each other so that they could accomplish the role that God called them. This topic of complementarity in marriage is likely to come up in premarital counselling too, and I pray that the mentors who are conducting it will be able to wisely advise the couples in our church.
I was encouraged when there were about 15 ladies turning up at the first book reading but was I disappointed when the numbers dwindled as the months passed. That did not deter me but I continued to attend and the monthly meetings encouraged me to finish reading a book.
I was encouraged by how the ladies shared openly. Though I was the oldest lady in the group, I learned a lot from the other ladies who attended. I gained a friendship with a newly wedded sister and I hope I can continue to encourage her even after the reading is done.
In August and September, a group of ladies will meet to read the book How People Change by Paul Tripp and Timothy Lane. This 8-week study on Tuesday nights from 7.30–9pm will look to understand how the gospel can shape our responses to life. If you would like to join this reading group, you can sign up here.