As promised on last night’s weekly Twitter #Marriagechat (every Wednesday at 9PM EST) over the next few days we’re going to provide you with some resources that will repair and strengthen your marriage. We’re starting off the series by sharing some of our favorite marriage books.
BOOKS:
The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
Description:
Marriage should be based on love, right? But does it seem as though you and your spouse are speaking two different languages? New York Times bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman guides couples in identifying, understanding, and speaking their spouse’s primary love language””quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service, or physical touch.
By learning the five love languages, you and your spouse will discover your unique love languages and learn practical steps in truly loving each other. Chapters are categorized by love language for easy reference, and each one ends with specific, simple steps to express a specific language to your spouse and guide your marriage in the right direction. A newly designed love languages assessment will help you understand and strengthen your relationship. You can build a lasting, loving marriage together.
Gary Chapman hosts a nationally syndicated daily radio program called A Love Language Minute that can be heard on more than 150 radio stations as well as the weekly syndicated program Building Relationships with Gary Chapman, which can both be heard on fivelovelanguages.com.
The Five Love Languages is a consistent new York Times bestseller – with over 5 million copies sold and translated into 38 languages. This book is a sales phenomenon, with each year outselling the prior for 16 years running!
Includes a promotional code to gain exclusive online access to the new comprehensive love languages assessment.
Marriage Matters by Dr. Tony Evans (Ronnie’s Favorite)
Description:
Marriages today are deteriorating at an alarming rate: As of 2003, 43.7% of custodial mothers and 56.2% of custodial fathers were either separated or divorced (US Census Bureau). One might ask, “Why do so many marriages fail?” According to pastor and teacher Tony Evans, marriages deteriorate not because we no longer get along, but because we have lost sight of the purpose and prosperity of the marriage covenant.
Marriage Matters examines the nature of this covenant, or agreement, we enter into on our wedding day. This booklet provides the foundation for the booklets For Married Women Only, as Evans looks to the Scriptures to define what a covenant is, who makes it, and what the implications are. Chaos arises when we seek to do things our way””the need to align ourselves according to biblical standards of marriage is evident. Let the practical and engaging Tony Evans lead you in knowing just how much…Marriage Matters.
The Love Dare by Stephen Kendrick, Alex Kendrick
Description:
Unconditional love is eagerly promised at weddings, but rarely practiced in real life. As a result, romantic hopes are often replaced with disappointment in the home. But it doesn’t have to stay that way.
The Love Dare, as featured in the popular new movie Fireproof (from the makers of Facing the Giants), is a 40-day challenge for husbands and wives to understand and practice unconditional love. Whether your marriage is hanging by a thread or healthy and strong, The Love Dare is a journey you need to take. It’s time to learn the keys to finding true intimacy and developing a dynamic marriage. Take the dare!
Things I Wish I’d Known Before We Got Married by Gary Chapman (My Favorite)
“Most people spend far more time in preparation for their vocation than they do in preparation for marriage,” Dr. Gary Chapman
No wonder the divorce rate hovers around fifty percent.
Bestselling author and marriage counselor, Gary Chapman, hopes to change that with his newest book. Gary, with more than 35 years of counseling couples, believes that divorce is the lack of preparation for marriage and the failure to learn the skills of working together as intimate teammates.
So he put together this practical little book, packed with wisdom and tips that will help many develop the loving, supportive and mutually beneficial marriage men and women long for. It’s the type of information Gary himself wished he had before he got married.
This is not a book simply to be read. It is a book to be experienced. The material lends itself to heart-felt discussions by dating or engaged couples. To jump-start the exchanges, each short chapter includes insightful “Talking it Over” questions and suggestions. And, the book includes information on interactive websites as well as books that will enhance the couples experience.
Dr. Chapman even includes a thought-provoking appendix. By understanding and balancing the five key aspects of life, dating couples can experience a healthy dating relationship. A revealing learning exercise for dating couples is included at the end.
Husbands, Wives, God: Introducing the Marriage of the Bible to Your Bible by Edward C. Lee
Descirption:
Husbands, Wives, God, is a first of its kind book that introduces seven marriages taken straight from the Bible into your marriage. These are their stories”” woven together to produce changed hearts, attitudes, perspectives and ultimately, changed marriages. They were selected in order to channel the focus of husbands and wives to the most important relationship that a couple has, a balanced relationship between them and God, hence the book’s title, Husbands, Wives, God.
BONUS:
Marriage 101: Building a Life Together by Faith by Jewell R. Powell
Description:
Marriage is no fairy tale. Author Jewell R. Powell knows from experience. But she also discovered that there is hope for getting through the hard times, and that, with God, a happy and fulfilling marriage is possible. Using the story of Sleeping Beauty as a parable of God’s plan for marriage, this book/workbook combination offers an 8-week plan for individual or group study that encourages examining the areas in our lives that need to change. Using biblical examples, reflection questions, and Scripture meditation, Powell challenges those who want strong and healthy marital relationships to lay a spiritual foundation from which to grow. Marriage 101 is a valuable, insightful resource that couples can go to for help when dealing with the real issues they face.
THANKS FOR THE SUGGESTIONS. I’M 24, MY HUSBAND IS 26 AND WE’VE BEEN MARRIED ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF NOW. WE HAVE A 3 YEAR OLD AND A 1 YEAR OLD AND LORD KNOWS I REFUSE TO BE A STATISTIC!
You’re welcome and I totally agree. That is the attitude we have to take in regards to our marriages.
THANKS FOR THE SUGGESTIONS. I’M 24, MY HUSBAND IS 26 AND WE’VE BEEN MARRIED ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF NOW. WE HAVE A 3 YEAR OLD AND A 1 YEAR OLD AND LORD KNOWS I REFUSE TO BE A STATISTIC!
My favorite relationship book is The Spirit of Intimacy by Sobonfu Some. It’s a must-read for all familial and romantic relationships with simple, traditional African wisdom.
My husband and I give the Five Love Languages as wedding gifts. We love it and often have the opportunity to teach on the book. It is a keeper. I look forward to reading the other recommended books. Thanks!
My husband and I really learned a lot from Great Parents Lousy Lovers.
Thanks for the suggestions! Bought the 5 Love Languages the other night and reading it now. I’ll add these other books to my list.
My wife and I are reading What Did You Expect by Paul Tripp. It is extremely insightful and will make you think.
My husband and I attended a marriage Bible study where we read Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerich. That book was awesome and really helped me understand my husband and our marriage.
Great information! We had only read The Five Love Languages but I am going out to purchase the others today! My husband and I have been together over 28 years – we started dating in Junior High School and we recently published a book titled Shades of Love: Portraits of Successful Marriages which highlights black couples who have strong marriages http://www.shadesoflovebook.com
Thanks for these selections! Each of these books I have heard good things about, if not read for myself!
Thanks for these selections! Each of these books I have heard good things about, if not read for myself!
Thanks for these selections! Each of these books I have heard good things about, if not read for myself!
Thanks for these selections! Each of these books I have heard good things about, if not read for myself!
Both the 5 Love Languages and Things I Wish… are great books for men and women to read. Loved both of them.
My hubby and I also read Staying Close by Dennis Rainey
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