Course Description

In this generative online poetry workshop, “In the Image of the Creator: Poetry & Spiritual Writing Workshop for Christian Writers,” we will spend six weeks exploring some of the following questions: What is poetry? How is it written and used in the Bible, and what is its role in the Kingdom of God? How does one go about writing poetry? What’s the difference between poetry, prayer, and prophecy—if there is one? What distinguishes writing for the page from writing for the stage? What makes a poem Spoken Word? Do Christian artists have to compromise craft for content? What makes something “poetic”? If we are made in the image of the Creator, how can our poems reflect God’s imagination?

This introductory poetry and spiritual writing course will not only explore the why of poetry but also dedicate extended time to the how. We’ll cover literary techniques, musicality in poetry, audience, found and invented forms (such as acrostic, ghazal, pantoum, and Venn diagrams), and the crucial distinction between lyric and narrative poetry. By the end of the course, students will have written and workshopped at least six weeks' worth of poetry, building a strong foundation for their continued writing practice.

We will read and discuss both biblical and extrabiblical texts, as well as listen to and watch various audio and video resources. Weekly Zoom workshops will provide opportunities to share and receive feedback on ongoing work. Sample texts include Psalms, the prophetic books, wisdom literature, hymns, doxological poems, and works by writers and artists such as Li-Young Lee, Toni Morrison, C.S. Lewis, Lauryn Hill, Alyssia Nicole Harris, Marie Howe, Wendell Berry, Nikki Grimes, Makoto Fujimura, Jeong Ho-seung, John Piper, and many more.

Throughout the course, we will maintain a writing diary and create space for prayer and spiritual reflection. Everyone has a story to tell and a poem in their heart. There’s a reason why God SPOKE the world into existence and the WORD put on flesh. God’s greatest revelation to humanity was first spoken, then written and recorded—one-third of it in poetic form. Language and poetry matter to God, and our words are meant to shine like stars in a darkening world. I’m excited to write and learn together!