Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Ruth-Redeeming the Darkness a Bible Study for Women by Andrea Thom


About the Book

Book: Ruth, Redeeming the Darkness
Author: Andrea Thom
Genre: Non-Fiction; Bible Study
Release Date: November, 2018

An in-depth, gospel-centered bible study on how Christ redeems even the worst forms of darkness lurking within and around us.
RUTH: Redeeming The Darkness uses God`s truth to touch our daily realities:
  • Fractured relationships
  • Processing feelings of bitterness, confusion, and doubt
  • All-in Christianity
  • Our response to the faithfulness and sovereignty of God
Have you ever felt like God has left you? Struggled with feelings of bitterness or doubt? Hopelessness? Ruth’s message is not presented as a five-point sermon, but as a spectacular, romantic drama. Its story woos us into relationship with its characters and storyline, yet is also true, living history. This workbook-style bible study approach tackles important life topics including fractured relationships, all-in Christianity, God`s faithful devotion, and rightly processing bitterness and doubt.

Ruth is unlike any other book of the bible because words like love story and theatrical are accurate descriptors of its text alongside being historical, and gospel-centred. She’s small enough in her four chapters to rest as a cute hardback on your coffee table, yet profound enough to explode hope and redemption into your darkest pain and everyday frustrations. It is not only magnificent because of its breath-taking storyline between a man and a woman, but because God sovereignly orchestrated and sealed it within the scriptural canon so that we can experience Him as the ultimate lover of our souls. Ultimately, Ruth conveys the love story of Christ coming to redeem His people. Christ is coming for you. The host has ripped your ticket for Ruth’s next performance and you’ll be sitting front row centre as His guest of honor. Come expectantly and settle into your seat prayerfully. The orchestra is cued, and the curtain is pulling back for Act 1…
Can God be kind and all-powerful when the world is filled with despair?

Click here to purchase your copy!


About the Author


Andrea Thom is a wife, mom to three great kids, and a therapist. Known for being both deeply reflective yet quick-witted, she`s the parent on the sidelines yelling a little too loud for the home team, but also the one who loves to curl up with a good book and a hot cup of tea on a rainy day…or any day. She loves. Her family and friends – the whole messy lot of them. She loves unexpected belly laughs. Putting on warm clothes straight from the dryer. The colour blue. Efficiency. Reason. Tidy cupboards. Easter. Quietly gleaning through scripture’s pages at night before exhaustion folds her into her pillow. That`s a special space – it`s just Jesus and her there – – a hallowed, secret union that is theirs alone. She wants to live with eternity in mind and be consumed with what she’ll be enjoying forever – Jesus. That’s why she loves God’s word so much. Jesus is the only trustworthy One to offer real hope and redemption for our eternal futures and everyday realities.


Guest Post from Andrea
The Bible is not a book about God, it is God actually speaking! In fact, throughout history, Scripture is the primary and most trusted way that Christ reveals Himself to the world. Ever notice how our experiences become more powerful when understanding runs alongside the experience? A sports match is more exciting to watch when we know the rules of play. The theatre is more captivating when we comprehend the dialogue. Music can impact us more deeply when the sweep of the notes collide with lyrics that we actually grasp. The power of our experience of Jesus is connected to the depth of our understanding about who He actually is!

No matter what you’re like or who you are, the same Jesus who spoke creation to life wants to speak life into your circumstances now through His Word. Pursuing biblical depth is not just reserved for the academically elite who are into that sort of thing. We consume food to survive, but we consume His Word to truly live! So grab some friends to join your Bible study journey because the pursuit of truth through His Word is essential, doable, and awesome. Come – just as you authentically are – and prepare to meet Jesus for who He actually is…
Looking for a new Bible study series with FRESH commentary and RELIABLE gospel-focus? 
RUTH – REDEEMING THE DARKNESS
Have you ever felt like God has left you? Struggled with feelings of bitterness or confusion? Hopelessness? Ruth – Redeeming The Darkness is an in-depth, gospel-centred bible study on how Christ redeems even the ugliest types of darkness that can lurk within and around us. The book is one of the most exquisitely written love stories ever penned. Words like love story, theatrical, and screenplay are accurate descriptors alongside historical, and gospel-centred. It’s small enough in its four chapters to rest as a cute hardback on your coffee table, yet profound enough to explode hope and redemption into your darkest pain and everyday frustrations. The book conveys the love story of Christ coming to redeem His people – now Christ is coming for YOU. The host has ripped your ticket for Ruth’s next performance and you’ll be sitting front row centre as His guest of honor. Come expectantly and settle into your seat prayerfully. The orchestra is cued, and the curtain is pulling back for Act 1…
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
  • “I have completed a lot of bible studies over the years, but few have grabbed my attention as quickly and held it as powerfully as ‘Ruth: Redeeming the Darkness’. Andrea guides the reader through the book of Ruth and takes them straight to the cross. This study will grow your appreciation for the Word of God, increase your competency in handling the Word of God, and bless your heart. It is my joy to recommend ‘Ruth: Redeeming the Darkness’ as a powerful tool to aid you in your study of God’s Word.” ... Bible study participant
  • “Using beautifully descriptive, poetic language, Andrea does a masterful job of plumbing the depths of both the historical context and modern-day parallels and applications. Its message is both surprising and incredibly encouraging to those of us who find ourselves much like Ruth – pursuing ordinary lives in the midst of God’s great Love Story.”...Bible study participant
  • “As the vivid picture of Naomi reveals your own feelings of hopelessness, bitterness, and despair, you will be captivated by a love story that becomes your own.”  ...Bible study participant

RUTH’S EASY HOMEMADE

 HONEY-WHEAT BREAD 


(No Bread Machine Required)
INGREDIENTS
  • 2 cups warm water
  • 2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1 tbsp active dry instant yeast
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 3-5 cups all-purpose flour
*Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add honey, and stir well. Mix in whole wheat flour, salt, and vegetable oil. Work all-purpose flour in gradually.
*Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead for at least 10 minutes. *When dough is smooth and elastic, place it in an oiled bowl. Turn several times in the bowl to coat the surface of the dough. Cover with a damp cloth. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes. *Punch down the dough. Shape into two loaves, and place into two greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise until dough is 1 to 1 1/2 inches above pans.
*Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes.

Blog Stops

Midnight Bookaholic, November 24
Bibliophile Reviews, November 25
Texas Book-aholic, November 26
Janices book reviews, November 27
All-of-a-kind Mom, November 28
Genesis 5020, November 28
Multifarious, November 30
More Of Him, November 30
Mary Hake, December 1
Moments, December 3
whispering the Word, December 4
Godly Book Reviews, December 5
A Diva’s Heart, December 5
Carpe Diem, December 6
Inklings and Notions, December 7
Bigreadersite, December 7
To celebrate her tour, Andrea is giving away a grand prize “Loving the Word” theme basket that includes a gorgeous writing journal with Scripture at the bottom of each lined page, 6 stunning magnetic book page markers,“Be still and know that I am God” Bible verse key chain, Highlighter/ Pink post-it note, Old Testament Bible Reading Checklist by LOVE the Word | LIVE the Word, & RUTH-Redeeming The Darkness Bible Memory Companion Sheet!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d62b/ruth-redeeming-the-darkness-celebration-tour-giveaway

My review:
This study was well organized, called lessons sessions, had lots of commentary.  Lots of background information.
Here's what I liked:
  • very descriptive language and imagery
  • supported background information
  • framed the entire book as a theater drama/love story of redemption
  • really helps you observe, think, and identify with the people mentioned.
  • connects other scriptures
  • layout with overview, layers, history, connections to modern day, meditation
  • Boxes to complete- variety of answers- some literal, some application. 
  • introduction to a new author. 
  • I'd love to try another study like this- working on my own for a review- I didn't feel like I gleaned as much as I would if I was discussing with others. 
What I missed:
  • directions on how often to do the sessions, how to do the study alone, with a group, etc.  
  • More thought provoking questions or research- the author tells us lots- but real learning happens in the discovery and thinking the reader does.  
  • Some of the commentary or information would have been better as an appendix, rather than doing the work for us.  
I don't feel confident in my Ruth Bible study to reflect the theology shared in this study, but I think it's good for every reader to always self check statements and author's perspectives on the Word of God- and that's healthy. 

Thank you celebrate lit! for the opportunity to review this study.  A new experience for sharing newly published books- I was asked to post their information and then add my own thoughts.  
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