When You Work for the Church

If you’re looking for continuing education for yourself or a study group, registration is still open for Canadian Mennonite University’s Xplore courses. 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 all the courses and registration info here.

I’m delighted to be teaching an Xplore course over Zoom again this fall:
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

The Xplore site includes a short description of my course that will include time for teaching and discussion. And below—just after this gorgeous artwork by John August Swanson that tells the story of the book of Ruth—you’ll see my course outline.

The Back Story, October 2

• 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.
• 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.
• Recurring motifs to watch for in the book of Ruth.

The Challenge of Change, October 9

• The challenges of loss, food and safety, family and belonging, facing the future.
• Naomi, Ruth, Orpah: Three women, three different responses, Ruth 1:6–22.
• 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

• Naomi and Ruth find food, safety, community in Judah. Boaz uses his wealth and position to protect Ruth, Ruth 2:1–23.
• 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

• 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.
• Who advises us? What risks do we take? When others approach us with a plan, how do we respond?

Following Through, October 30

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

The Forward Story, November 6

• The birth of Obed, the response of the women, and the genealogy from Perez to David, Ruth 4:13–22.
• 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?

I’d love to have you join me for this six-week course. Register here today, and avoid the late fee after September 27.