If you’re looking for continuing education for yourself or a study group, check out Canadian Mennonite University’s Xplore program. Each course is just one hour a week for six weeks, either in person in Winnipeg, online, or hybrid. Options are available for individual registrations, small groups (2–4 people), or larger groups (5 or more). See the current courses and registration info here.

I was delighted to teach this Xplore course over Zooml:
The Book of Ruth for Today
Change, Challenge, and New Life
Thursdays, October 2 – November 6, 2025
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CT

Course Description: In the Bible, the book of Ruth is not only the story of one woman. It’s a story that embraces an entire community and that can speak powerfully into our lives today. What can we learn from those who are socially vulnerable like Ruth and Naomi? What can we learn from those who have wealth and social status like Boaz? What can we learn from the community that surrounded them? As we explore these questions together, each session will include time for teaching, reflection, sharing, and discussion, with a view to the changes, challenges, and new life we face today.

Since this was an elective course, it's not likely that it will be offered again as part of Xplore, but I'm able to teach it in other contexts. So if you'd be interested in a Zoom version and/or hosting the course for your church or small group, please reach out and let me know. For the outline of all six sessions, please see below, just after this gorgeous artwork by John August Swanson that tells the story of the book of Ruth.

Swanson-StoryOfRuth-large
Photo Art by John August Swanson

The Back Story, October 2

  1. The book of Ruth has been variously understood as part of the history of Judges, as a novel or short story, as an example of the ideal woman, perhaps written in support of foreigners or David’s genealogy.
  2. Our approach will be to understand the book on its own terms and in light of change, challenge, and new life today, starting with Ruth 1:1–5.
  3. Recurring motifs to watch for in the book of Ruth.

The Challenge of Change, October 9

  1. The challenges of loss, food and safety, family and belonging, facing the future.
  2. Naomi, Ruth, Orpah: Three women, three different responses, Ruth 1:6–22.
  3. What are the challenges of change we face today? How have we responded in the past, and how will we respond in this moment?

Finding Refuge, October 16

  1. Naomi and Ruth find food, safety, community in Judah. Boaz uses his wealth and position to protect Ruth, Ruth 2:1–23.
  2. Where do we find refuge in the midst of change? Like Boaz, how can we use what we have to care for the outsider and vulnerable?

Making a Plan, October 23

  1. Naomi advises Ruth to approach Boaz at night, and Boaz responds respectfully by offering to speak to a closer relative (perhaps in an early/loose form of levirate marriage) and generously by giving Ruth grain, Ruth 3:1–18.
  2. Who advises us? What risks do we take? When others approach us with a plan, how do we respond?

Following Through, October 30

  1. The closer relative declines, so Boaz acts honourably and marries Ruth. The people respond favourably despite Ruth being a foreigner, Ruth 4:1–12.
  2. How do we follow through as we respond to change and challenges today? What role does our community play?

The Forward Story, November 6

  1. The birth of Obed, the response of the women, and the genealogy from Perez to David, Ruth 4:13–22.
  2. The book of Ruth is marked by blessing and ends with new life. In the changes and challenges we face, how do we move forward with blessing and new life?