Enter the Story of Ruth Like Never Before through This 6-Week Bible Study
Ruth was a vulnerable, widowed woman starting over in a foreign land. While Naomi was returning to community, Ruth was setting herself up to be the odd one out her whole life. What gave her the strength to do it? Could it be that she sensed all along that her journey away from Moab was a journey toward home?
The … home?
The story of Ruth is a remarkable tale of bravery, calling, and God’s provision, and it will come to life in new ways as you dig deep in this 6-week Bible study. Tessa Afshar, author of award-winning biblical and historical fiction, teaches you how to study the text, discern meaning, pray through it, and live it out. She’ll show you how to draw on the same strength and courage that Ruth did and accept God’s invitation to new beginnings in your own life.
This Bible study also includes optional teaching videos that can be purchased separately to enrich your study.
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The Way Home: God’s Invitation to New Beginnings, by Tessa Afshar, is an in-depth Bible study on the book of Ruth. Designed for 6 weeks of study, this well-written, well-researched book contains 30 lessons that closely examine all 4 chapters of Ruth by exploring the cultural, historical, linguistic, and spiritual significances of the story, the characters, and the setting. With obvious skill and conviction, Ms. Afshar draws attention to the beauty and importance of Ruth’s story and shows how it plays a prominent role in the Lord’s plan of redemption for his creation.
Relying heavily on scripture and Ms. Afshar’s thoughtful insight, this study provides ample space for the reader to interact with the Biblical text and to record his/her own thoughts, ideas, reflections, and prayers. As it nurtures and enhances the reader’s understanding of the book of Ruth, it encourages the reader to connect personally with the book of Ruth and apply its themes and teachings to his/her daily life.
Over the course of a month, I completed this Bible study on my own during my daily devotional time. I found it to be thoughtfully written with careful discernment. I learned much from this study and the depth of meaning Ms. Afshar highlighted as she explored Ruth verse by verse. This is a study I will certainly revisit in the future, and I am eager to encourage my friends to complete this study as well. It might possibly be one of the best Bible studies I have ever completed.
Perfect for individual or group study, The Way Home is rich with meaning, full of wisdom, and brimming with encouragement. Offering genuine hope for all people, the book of Ruth is certainly worthy of sincere study, and Ms. Afshar has crafted an excellent source that offers the reader an opportunity to do just that. I highly recommend it.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.
The Way Home
I have read the story of Ruth many times. I just never stopped to study and understand it until now. Tessa Afshar’s The Way Home shows an honest, soul searching approach to Ruth. Tessa Afshar has been a world renown Christian author who shows us the life and times of Biblical figures.
Afshar’s story covers the time and history of Israel during Ruth’s life. Tessa encourages self study and reflection of scriptures from the Old and New Testaments and how this applies to God’s plans for our own lives. This Bible study is definitely worth your time. It will help you have a closer relationship with God.
I was sent an advanced copy from Netgalley for an honest review. This study works as an individual or group study. I’m going to recommend The Way Home to my Sunday School classes. These opinions are my own. Thank you for letting me be part of this wonderful group.
I have done a lot of Bible studies through the years and have read the story of Ruth numerous times in the past. Even so I was blown away by the insights brought to light and realness of The Way Home by Tessa Afshar.
Afshar has long been one of my favorite Biblical fiction authors, so when I learned she had written her first Bible study, I jumped at the chance to take part. I admittedly had high expectations, but even those were far exceeded by The Way Home.
Including four days of intensive study and a fifth day of summary and review for each of six weeks, the book sets the stage for Ruth’s story by delving into Joshua and Judges, exploring the time period and relationship of Israel with her native land, Moab. As readers progress through the story of Ruth, they are directed to numerous verses in the Old and New Testament and explore the meanings of Hebrew words, the significance of various actions in their cultural context, and how every element was woven masterfully into the plan for redemption by God through His Son, Jesus Christ. Afshar lovingly encourages study participants to dig deeply into Scripture, pray over the challenging questions posed, and apply what they are learning in their everyday lives.
I received an advance digital copy of the study through NetGalley and completed it on my own. This was the perfect option for me during the Covid 19 lockdown period. However, the book is also ideal for a small group study, and a companion video is available that would no doubt make the experience even more impactful. As an added treat, Afshar includes recipes for various dishes that would have been eaten in Ruth’s day, and I can imagine these being used for a special treat in a group study.
Although I received a complimentary copy of The Way Home, I was under no obligation to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are entirely my own.
“By walking through that door of faith, Ruth has unknowingly allowed the solutions of God to permeate her life.” – Tessa Afshar, The Way Home
I was part of the launch team for The Way Home and a long-time fan of Tessa Afshar. When you have high expectations of an author and they do not disappoint.
Tessa is a master weaver of words peeling away the biblical layers and her cultural knowledge of the times. Ruth teaches us how God works on our behalf in the middle of the storms of our lives, to persevere. Though only four chapters, there is a lot to unpack with Ruth’s story. Yes, God grants us grace when we struggle, He open’s our eyes to truth and breaths hope into our soul.
“The Way Home, God’s Invitation To New Beginnings,” can be done as an individual study or as a group study. I enjoyed all the bible verses and took lots of notes. I highly recommend the study.
Thank you to Moody Publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.