What an incredible kickoff to our Catching the Spark Bible Study series! Our Ministry Forum team couldn’t be more thrilled with how the first evening unfolded. Over 80 of you registered for the experience, and it was awesome to see the room with energy, curiosity, and a shared hunger to dig into Scripture together. Seeing such a diverse group—representing various denominations like Presbyterians, Mennonites, Anglicans, Pentecostals, United Church members, and a healthy group of non-denominationals as well - all coming together to study the Word of God was truly a blessing.

A New Kind of Bible Study Experience

Catching the Spark was designed to be a different kind of Bible study—a dynamic, interactive exploration that goes beyond the typical lecture format. And thanks to Dr. Derek Suderman’s engaging approach, it was exactly that.

Derek’s vision for Bible study is not simply about imparting knowledge but about inviting everyone into an active encounter with the text. He framed our time together as a “hike” through the Book of Ruth, where each of us has the freedom to pause, observe, and share what we see. Just as each hiker’s journey is unique, so too is each person’s engagement with Scripture. As our “guide,” Derek pointed out details in the text and cultural nuances that we might otherwise overlook, and encouraged us to notice our own reactions and questions.

Engaging Scripture

We started with the opening chapter of Ruth, unpacking the story of Naomi’s return to Bethlehem and Ruth’s decision to stay by her side. We took our time with the text, reading each verse multiple times and through various translations. We explored themes of loyalty, identity, and covenant love. We asked questions:

• What does it mean for Ruth, a Moabite, to leave behind everything familiar and embrace Naomi’s people and God?

• How do we, as followers of Christ, understand and practice such radical loyalty and commitment?

It was amazing to witness the insights that came from our conversations. We noticed the tension between Naomi’s sense of loss and Ruth’s steadfast loyalty, and we were struck by how the narrative reveals God’s presence in unexpected ways. In Ruth’s declaration, “Your people will be my people, and your God my God,” we saw both courage and vulnerability—an inspiring model of faithfulness in the face of uncertainty.

Community Building

The real magic of the evening, however, came from the discussions around the tables. As we shared our thoughts and questions, it became clear that this study was not just about gaining a deeper understanding of Ruth’s story, but also about connecting with one another in new and meaningful ways. Some of the group reflected on what it means to feel like an outsider or a foreigner, drawing parallels between Ruth’s experience and moments in your own lives. We talked about how, as communities of faith, we can do better in welcoming those who feel marginalized or “othered.”

As we listened, we could see people coming alive to the text—and that’s exactly what we were hoping for!

What’s Next?

This was only week one! We’re excited to see where this study takes us in the coming weeks. Each session, we’ll continue to peel back the layers of Ruth’s story, exploring how themes like redemption, risk, and God’s providence unfold. We’re also looking forward to hearing more of your insights and questions—because it’s those moments of shared discovery that make this experience so special.

Our goal is not just to provide a Bible study, but to spark something deeper in all of us—a renewed passion for engaging with Scripture, not as a solitary exercise but as a shared journey.

This Bible study series is part of a larger dream that has been developing for a while. Catching the Spark is a pilot project—an experiment to explore what it could look like to bring this type of dynamic, engaging Bible study to even more places. We want to find ways to share this experience, so that churches, small groups, and individuals across Canada (and maybe beyond) can access resources like these to facilitate their own studies.

We’re envisioning a digital resource that could equip ministry leaders, laypeople, and anyone interested in going deeper into Scripture with the tools and guidance needed to host sessions like this one in their own communities. It’s still early days, but we’re incredibly encouraged by the enthusiasm and participation we’ve seen so far. The hunger for thoughtful, collaborative Bible exploration is evident, and we’re excited to see where God leads us next!