God in Everday Life: The Book of Ruth for Expositors and Biblical Counselors

by Brad Brandt, Eric Kress

A Pastor's manual on the Book of Ruth including an Expositional Commentary and Outline, an Expository Sermon, application questions, counseling scenarios, and an annotated bibliography. "The book of Ruth follows upon the dark chapters of Judges like the rising sun. And the Moabitess’ radiant example shines ever bright today. How grateful I am that Rick Kress’ searching expositions have been coupled with the trenchant analysis and wisdom of Brad Brandt. God in Everyday Life will grace the church both in the pulpit and personal use."––R. Kent Hughes, Senior Pastor Emeritus, College Church in Wheaton

Genres: Christian, Reference

188 pages, Paperback

First published September 24, 2007

Reviews

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you looking for a commentary on the book of Ruth that helps you not only with exegetical insight into the text but also connect to application for daily life? This commentary is one you must have in your library! The subtitle of the book says this is “for Expositors and Biblical Counselors.” Reading this I can definitely see the authors’ attempt to gear this for expository preachers and Biblical counselors. This is my first time reading a commentary that is expositional in nature that is also designed for biblical counseling. I used this book as a resource for my preaching through the book of Ruth and after finishing this book I must say I was impressed. The book consists of five chapters in analyzing the book of Ruth in the Bible which has four chapters. Readers who typically use expositional or exegetical commentaries will find the format of this commentary different and helpful. Basically each chapter looks at a specific passage in the book of Ruth as it is divided up logically by the scenes in the book. The chapter begins first with an expositional outline followed by a commentary by one of the authors and then the sermon notes of the other author that illustrates what does it look like as an outline for the preacher to take up to the pulpit. This is followed by a section called “Getting Intentional About Application” in which four different “tools” are discussed: a teaching outline, a “digging deeper discussion questions” section, a counseling case study and finally “Counseling Assignments.” Following the main chapters the book then ends with a selected bibliography that has brief notes and annotations about these books and then an appendix that gives suggested answers for counseling case studies in the book. I thought the format of the book was very helpful for those having serious study into the book of Ruth. The insight into the book of Ruth was really good in this commentary. Also I love the emphasis in the book of the need to preach and teach to apply to the listeners. At first I didn’t know what to make of the counseling cases given in the book but I appreciated the book had an appendix that gave some examples of how to minister with different kinds of individuals and situations and also use the book of Ruth for one’s counseling. Readers should read what both authors have to say about specific passages in the book of Ruth and not just assume they will talk about the same thing all the time; each bring their own exegetical insight into the book of Ruth and I love that! Overall I recommend it and I learn a lot from this book.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading and learning more about God through this book. It is definitely an eye opening book that will gave you a new appreciation of how God works via the Book of Ruth.

I also learned some very interesting genealogical aspects in this book as well. If you want to know more, read the book!

I would recommend this book not only to fellow Pastors and Teachers, but to also fellow believers who really want to see an shinning example of God's hand throughout every aspect of the book.

Get this book!