Weaving story with biblical truth is Tessa Afshar’s specialty. I have read all of her fiction books based on Biblical characters and found them well researched and gripping. This Bible study would be best done in a group, with feedback from the other readers. I love the book of Ruth and I think Tessa did an outstanding job of diving this Bible study into short lessons. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this Bible study. Much food for thought. Well done.

A lovely inspiring bible study! I thought I knew the story of Ruth but this opened my eyes to her greater journey! I would love to do more studies by Tessa.

I have read several fictional accounts of Biblical characters by Tessa Afshar and was interested to see how a Bible study about Ruth and Naomi would be. I wasn't disappointed. Tessa includes a lot of background leading up to the story of Naomi and Ruth. Each day had new information and was linked to other books of the Bible. You can tell she put a lot of research into this Bible study.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion.

The Way Home has given me an entirely new perspective about Ruth, the young widow who chose to leave her home in Moab so that she could remain with her mother-in-law Naomi. Starting over without your husband would be daunting enough but Ruth was also choosing to abide by the customs and lifestyle of Naomi's home land, Judah. Little did she know that her entire life would be changed by her decision, along with the lives of Naomi and Boaz, a relative of Naomi, who came to their aid. These three people were given new beginnings from God: "a new heart, a new spiritual life, a new future and life."

This is an outstanding six-week Bible study that illuminates Ruth's story and in turn, encourages readers that they also can have new beginnings. This study is very in-depth, and it includes questions and Bible scripture in each of the thirty lessons. I especially liked that each day's study has three sections: “Understanding the Word”; “Applying the Word”; and “Praying the Word” and I found myself highlighting many of the author's observations.

Tessa Afshar is noted for her biblical fiction but she has blessed me with this extensive study of the Book of Ruth. She reminded me that God redeemed Ruth, the Moabite, with the same abundant grace that he showed Naomi, the daughter of Abraham. I have been strengthened in my own faith and inspired to seek my own new beginnings because I have also been given that abundant grace! I recommend The Way Home for personal bible study and I believe that it would be a valuable resource for a group bible study also.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Way Home: God's Invitation to New Beginnings by Tessa Afshar is a six week Bible study all about Ruth and her journey to a new beginning in a new life and a new home. I'm sure some of us can understand about picking everything up and changing and moving our whole life to the unknown, but God has a plan and it is the best plan for us.
You won't be disappointed in this study. It is interesting and thought provoking. I really enjoyed it!

I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.

I look forward to reading Tessa Afshar’s books, not just because of her beautiful stories, but because I know that the historical research she incorporates into them will enable me to understand the setting and people in a deeper way. When I saw that she had written a Bible study on the book of Ruth, I was hoping she would explain the details of Ruth’s background and combine it with a thoughtful look at the Biblical account. I was not disappointed.

This Bible study is encouraging and challenging. Tessa Afshar establishes the historical context for the book of Ruth by explaining customs and also including word studies. She leads us through a series of questions that not only has us taking a close look at the detail in the Scripture passages, but applying the principles of the book to our own journey of faith. Each day has three sections: “Understanding the Word”; “Applying the Word”; and “Praying the Word”. I was, and will continue to be, blessed by my time spent in this study. I am also looking forward to seeing the video series that accompanies this study. This would be an excellent study for a ladies’ Bible study group.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

An absolute stunning study! Tessa's first Bible study is gripping and beautifully written. I love the way she allowed for the reader to really dive deep into the Word. How she asked such thought provoking questions that really helps readers to go deep without hesitation. The way she breaks down the story of Ruth in this Bible study is phenomenal.

Tessa does a great job of sharing the gospel and helping believers and unbelievers truly understand it. As a major fan of her writing I was excited to get an ARC. I loved it enough to buy both the physical copy AND the accompanying Bible study DVD to go along with it.

I would recommend doing this study in combination with reading her novel In the Field of Grace...mind blowing!!

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.

"It is not merely Ruth and Naomi and Boaz who are given grace for a new start in this book. God is extending an invitation to all of us. Begin new. Start fresh in grace."

This bible study based on Ruth is a 30 lesson study spread out over 6 weeks that will engage your mind, heart, and spirit. Now you may be thinking that thirty lessons on four chapters of Ruth may be a slow-go but I can assure you that it is anything but. Starting from the Book of Joshua and Judges, Tessa Afshar beautifully describes the culture, setting, and spiritual climate of when Ruth lived during the time of the judges. The author offers fantastic insights, ties in biblical events and historical information, carefully explains Hebrew words and their depth of meaning, and challenges our faith with gentle, inspired words. Her gift for words clearly shines through, even in a non-fiction study.
Each lesson is divided into three sections - understanding the Word, applying the Word, and praying the Word - and each lesson points back to Jesus and "God's invitation to new beginnings". You'll learn more than just about Ruth and her journey of love and faith through this study; you'll hear the voices of the faith giants speaking to you from the Word and hear our Lord's voice calling for faith and restoration.

This is not my first bible study on Ruth but I've learned the most from this particular study. I would love to do another study written by Tessa Afshar!

I received a copy of the book from Moody Publishers and the author. I was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

"The Way Home"
By
Tessa Afsher


Synopsis - Enter the story of Ruth through a 6 week study. The story of Ruth is a wonderful tale of bravery, calling and God's provision. This story will come to life in a new ways as you dig deep in this 6 week bible study.

My thoughts - This happens to be one of the best bible study I've ever done! Tessa Afsher "The Way Home " is a 6 week bible study of the story of Ruth. This study brought the story of Ruth, Naomi and Boaz to life for me and I hope will too for others.
I have studied the book of Ruth several times, but not like this. Tessa Afsher brought new aspects that I never thought about. The study will have you looking at my relationship with God, your struggles to forgive other's, yourself and even God and doing the will of God. You see the strength of Ruth to leave everything she had known her whole life. I have to say that it was encouraging, soul searching, and a thought provoking study.

Favorite quote - Spend a moment in graditude. Not for blessings. For God himself. For who He is. For His commitment to you. (Tessa Afsher)

Recommendation - I would gladly recommend this bible study to others through Facebook, bookbud, Amazon, Goodreads and Barnes and Noble.

Rating - I will give this book a 5 out of 5

Disclaimer - I received this complimentary copy from the author and was ask to give a honest review. All my thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone.

Oh My Goodness!!! This book is just what you are missing! I promise you will love it!
This Study of Ruth is simply amazing from the beginning to the end. It is broke down into 6 weeks with 5 lessons for each week. The homework is very easy to follow and it causes you to dive deep into the Word of God.
I have known the story of Ruth for years and this study brought it about in a fresh new light. Just what was needed. The title includes "God's Invitation to New Beginnings" with the way our year of 2020 has been going I cannot thing of a more timely Study the women of this country need! We need a new beginning in Christ.
The breakdown of each lesson was so easy to complete. I really loved it.
I have loved Tessa as a fiction writer and this was just as well done if not better. Every time I read one of Tessa's books I learn something new and I am changed. I guarantee you if you read and do this study you too will be changed.
I loved so many different parts of this book, probably one of my favorites was "If you love Jesus, the story of your life is itself a healing balm to an aching world. Your central calling is to be God's ambassador, his friend, His daughter, His bride: by faithfully living out these roles, you will become a light." I just love that all I have to do is love God and obey Him, it is that easy!
I will be recommending this book to my friends and I will definitely be doing this study again on my own. This is such a great and amazing study!!!
The amount of Scripture that she helps you cross and see how the Bible is all connected I love! I always love when you can connect the Bible, well because it does, but also because it is so much fun to see how God ties everything together!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

If you are remotely familiar with Tessa Afshar’s biblical fiction then you are in for a treat with The Way Home. I don’t read a lot of bible studies but I was interested in reading this because I so enjoy Ms. Afshar’s fiction, and I was not let down at all! How she brings the depth of what Ruth did, and how it ultimately impacted the world but also how we can as Christians can become closer to Christ. I have already ordered a physical copy and I can’t wait to delve back into it.
My gratitude to Moody Publisher and NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own

The last few weeks I have been honored & blessed to read and study The Way Home by Tessa Afshar. My love for the book of Ruth combined with my respect and appreciation for Tessa’s writing, made this a book not to be missed.
I knew it would be amazingly wonderful and insightful, but it went far above my highest expectations! I have done many Bible studies in my lifetime, both for my personal studies, and as a Sunday School teacher, and this one is without a doubt one of the very BEST I have ever experienced.
I love that Tessa didn’t type out all of the Scriptures, but she gave the readers the references and we get to dig in deep and study the Word for ourselves. I loved every moment of it!
It truly was like looking into the mirror of God’s Word and seeing myself as God sees me. (James 1:22-25) So many days I would open the Study and my Bible and God broke walls around my heart that I didn’t even know were there.
I wept, I repented, I worshipped.
God used this study to reveal many things to me about myself, but He also revealed many new things to me about Himself. I thought I had let go of past bitterness, but God showed me there were hidden roots still embedded in my heart. He used her words to help me pluck those out and take steps forward to healing and grace.
This is not a simple, easy, pat little five-minute study to check off your daily devotions checklist obligation and leave unchanged.
This Bible Study is life-changing.
It is convicting and at times, uncomfortable, as the readers allow God to open their eyes to His truths and allow Him to cover over and give grace to their hidden struggles. It provides a fresh start and breathes hope into weary souls. It encourages readers to lift their eyes to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. It was very eye-opening, enlightening and educational in so many ways and I am sad it has come to an end. God used this study to bless my heart and draw my soul closer to Him as my Redeemer. I hope Tessa writes more studies in the future because she is such a gifted Bible teacher and you can tell she does her research. I simply cannot say enough good things about this book and I will be recommending it to others. I hope to host a Bible study in my home later this year and share this with friends..

This copy was given to me in exchange for my honest and open review. All thoughts expressed here are completely my own.

I have long loved Tessa Afshar's Biblical fiction books which are always so well researched and inspiring. Her Bible study, The Way Home, is the same-- well researched and inspiring! This study covers six weeks with studies for five days each week. I love the five-day format for use weeks where I needed a day or two to catch up. Each daily study includes sections on Understanding the Word, Applying the Word, and Praying the Word.
While this study covers the book of Ruth, it also touches on other Bible characters. Unlike many Bible studies which provide a reading and discussion or reflection questions, this study provides so much historical and Biblical background that you begin the questions with a much deeper understanding of what is happening in the reading. This allows a better application of the Bible readings.
Tessa is excellent at approaching our hearts via our minds! This study will be a blessing to anyone who undertakes doing it.

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 soul-penetrating realness of The Way Home: God’s Invitation to New Beginnings, Tessa Afshar’s new six-week Bible study on Ruth.

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!

Set up with four days of intensive study and a fifth day of summary and review each week, 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 Ruth’s story, 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 God’s plan for redemption 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 stay-at-home 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.

Wow! What an amazing Bible study! This Bible Nerb Girl LOVED it!
Tessa Afshar’s newest offering is a beautiful Bible study titled The Way Home: God’s Invitation to New Beginnings. In this study, readers journey through the Old Testament book of Ruth. I don’t know what I fully expected from this study because I have read and studied the book of Ruth many times. I have also loved this author’s Biblical fiction. However, I can tell you that this study far surpassed any expectations I had. It was fresh, and Tessa’s attention to detail and context made me love the study more.
In writing this study, she was able to place Ruth’s story in the full context of not only Scripture, but also God’s plan for redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ. She navigated the text tenderly all the while pulling in Old Testament and New Testament Scripture to support and defend her teaching.

This Seminary graduate of Biblical studies also loved her desire to bring greater understanding and richer meaning to the text by weaving in the Hebrew meanings of many of the words. I love the study of Hebrew… (Bible Nerd Girl!)
Bottom line, this book… this study superbly REVEALED JESUS with every chapter and every verse. Well done!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book through the publisher and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

I will post to Amazon and other sites once the book is released.

"The Way Home: God's Invitation to New Beginnings" by Tessa Afshar is what one might expect when a great writer of Biblical fiction applies their knowledge and research to create a powerful thought provoking study of the book and person of Ruth. She begins by providing all of the information that is required to lay a strong foundation of comprehension for the story of Ruth. This study will amplify the readers understanding of the Book of Ruth and the Bible as a whole. You will read, see how each lesson can be applied to your own life, and have the opportunity to pray for God's help in becoming stronger in those qualities that are so admirable in Ruth.


Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book through the publisher and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

I read Tessa Afshar's fictional account of Ruth, In the Field of Grace, back in 2014 and have been in love with the way she brings biblical characters to life ever since.
Accordingly, when I saw Tessa's first ever 6 week bible study about the in depth aspects of Ruth experiences, I jumped at the opportunity to preview it. I took my time working my way through as Tessa's insights are richly detailed and meant to be savored. I like the way each chapter is broken up, Understanding the Word, Applying the Word, Praying the Word, then Overview and Conclusion. I especially treasured the "Praying the Word" segments.

Tessa is so gifted at peeling away the biblical layers and her cultural knowledge of the times is bar none. She sums up what we can learn from Ruth from the beginning,
"The book of Ruth teaches us about God's activity on our behalf in the midst of the storms of our lives. Ruth and Naomi's story shows us how to persevere when pain robs us of breath."
And also this jewel, "Because at the juncture of every failure, when pain takes root and life seems almost unbearable, again and again we see God's mercies rise up, and give birth to redemption." Such truth!

I highly recommend The Way Home to readers who want to learn more about Ruth, the Bible and yourself. It was a blessing to read and I appreciate Moody Publishers via Netgalley for making a copy available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.

I’ve always been impressed in how Tessa Afshar can take you into the world of the Old Testament, she always describes it in so many details, it feels very real. To be honest, that’s why I picked up this study, to see if her studies are like that, too. And I can say that, yes, they are. There are a lot of fun little facts about the Biblical culture thrown in, and you can see how much research went into this. A LOT of research. This study is very thorough and after a bumpy but necessary first chapters I came to love it and I can say it has enriched my life and really made me think. There are many hidden gems in Ruth and Naomi’s story!

However, the first week is quite heavy! I get it is necessary to explain exactly where the book of Ruth is taking place, so we delve deep into the Judges. For me it was really hard to keep going because it didn’t really click with me, if you feel the same just keep pushing because it gets a lot better!

Another thing that has put me off a bit is that you need to look up so many verses all around the Bible. As it often was just for a verse or 2 I really wish those would have been printed inside the book as it made my concentration waver a lot, those were the moments I would put the study down. That might also be because my Dutch translation is of course a bit different so words mentioned I needed to translate in my head (you do find out how different the Bible can be in different languages, that was kinda cool).

But all in all, the good outweighs the bad by far, because this is a rich and very solid study that makes you think about your own choices and I really loved it! I’m normally not into studies, but this one has really had a positive impact on my faith and I can really recommend it.

I received a free copy from Netgalley but it hasn’t influenced my opinions.

The Way Home is a beautiful Bible Study on the book of Ruth. Tessa Afshar is a great fiction writer and The Way Home is written with just the same talent and beauty. Though I was very familiar with the book of Ruth already at the beginning of the study, The Way Home helped me to meditate on the Scriptures and see new points about the story of Ruth.

As far as the Bible Study itself goes, this had a 5 days a week format, which I really like. As life is busy and some days Bible Study time just cannot happen, I love the graciousness of the 5 days a week format. On top of that, a 6 week study is short enough to commit to, while long enough to actually give time to dwell on the Scriptures and what God is teaching through His Word and the study.

I would definitely recommend this Bible Study to anyone.