Welcome to Mondays @ Soul Survival. Each week I feature a book that I consider a valuable resource.

This week’s selection is Preparing for Marriage by David Boehi, Brent Nelson, Jeff Schulte & Lloyd Shadrach, published by Family Life Ministries.

You know how it goes. We meet. Fall in love. Get married. And live happily ever after.

At least that’s what we all expect. No one marries expecting to be a divorce statistic, but sadly, the rate of divorce isn’t all that different among Christian couples than it is with unbelievers.

That shouldn’t be the case and it doesn’t have to be, but it takes preparation. Preparation that is often neglected in the midst of choosing caterers and venues. Many couples spend months, even longer, preparing for a wedding and little, if any, time preparing to be married!

My husband and I taught a preparing for marriage class for a number of years. After using various materials, we found this book and the couples who currently teach the class still use it.

The book is a combination book and workbook. The best way to use it is for each person to complete a chapter or project on their own, then to spend some time discussing it together. It can be worked through by a couple on their own or with a mentor couple. It can also be used as a small group or classroom study.

This is what Dennis Rainey has to say about Preparing for Marriage:

… going through this workbook:

• You will discover the joy of knowing your fiancé(e) and also being known by your fiancé(e) at levels you never imagined.
• You will talk about things you never dreamed you would but always knew you should.
• You will know, apply and experience God’s Word as it relates to engagement and marriage.
• You will be confident, certain and secure in your decision to marry (or even not to marry).
• You will practice and apply foundational skills you will need to build your marriage.
• You will acquire essential communication skills.
• You will understand the critical nature of core roles in marriage.
• You will learn about God’s design for true sexual intimacy and “total message” communication.
• You will, hopefully, connect with a mentor couple who can assist and counsel you as you prepare to begin your journey.

Because we are committed to your success, we have not chosen the easy road in developing this workbook. You will be asked some tough questions, and you’ll be given some tough advice. Your preconceptions about engagement, marriage, God and His Word will be tested. And in the process, you will be challenged to peel back the curtain and let who you really are shine through.

Completing this workbook requires commitment—a commitment to make it a priority and schedule the time required; to complete the work, with integrity and honesty. Most importantly, it will require a commitment to see the process through when difficulties challenge you to bail out.

Discovery, risk, challenge, intimacy, commitment, truth—all of these and more are what make marriage the most incredible journey you could ever imagine. Get ready to laugh. Get ready to cry. Get ready to learn. And get ready to experience the joy of a relationship like you’ve never experienced before. 

If you know someone who is planning to be married or a couple whose relationship is becoming more serious, consider recommending this book or, better yet, buying them a set.

Blessings,
Donna

Quotations taken from:
Boehi, David; Nelson, Brent; Schulte, Jeff; Shadrach, Lloyd. Preparing for Marriage: Discover God’s Plan for a Lifetime of Love. Gospel Light. Kindle Edition.

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