gospel-centered marriage and marriage counseling
Part 4: 13 Gospel-Centered Books on Pre-Marital Counseling 
A word from Bob: You are reading part 4 of a blog “mini-series” on Biblical Marriage Counseling: Gospel-Centered Marriage and Marriage Counseling. I am starting several posts on resources for counselors and couples.
Issue #1: 12 Gospel-Centered Books on Marriage and Marriage Counseling(click here to read part 1).
You are reading: Premarital counseling books christian
These books provide a foundational biblical description of God’s plan and purposes for Christ-centered marriage.
Issue #2: 15 Gospel-Centered Books on Communication, Conflict Resolution, and Forgiveness in Marriage(click here to read part 2).
These books provide practical biblical principles and teachings on communication, conflict resolution, and forgiveness. They also help us think about the biblical principles of marriage, divorce, and remarriage.
issue #3: 18 gospel-focused books on common problems and struggles in marriage(click here to read part 3).
These books provide practical biblical principles for dealing with specific problems and common struggles in marriage.
post #4: 13 gospel-focused books on premarital counseling
Preventive counseling and marriage preparation are essential to any healthy marriage. These books are the best of the best in premarital education, resources and manuals.
Tying the Knot: A Premarital Guide to a Strong and Lasting Marriage, by Rob Green
This is my number one recommendation for premarital counseling. Tying the Knot offers soon-to-be married couples a practical vision of Christ-centered marriage that is realistic, hopeful, and doable. This nine-session study guides couples through issues such as conflict, expectations, communication, finances, and intimacy, showing how each can be successfully resolved with Christ at the center of the marriage.
Marry Wisely, Marry Right: A Model for Personal Grooming, by Ernie Baker
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Does marriage matter more? If so, is it possible to have a stable marriage? how do you choose the right one? Is there something to work on now, even before being in a relationship? Marry Wise, Marry Right teaches you how to start building your future marital home before you even start a relationship. Learn how to make a wise choice of spouse and how to begin preparing for a future relationship that is truly Christ-based.
Preparing for Marriage God’s Way: A Step-by-Step Guide to Marriage Success Before and After the Wedding, 2nd Edition, by Wayne Mack
Preparing for Marriage God’s Way is a marriage counseling resource that uses thoughtful self-examination to reveal the personalities, backgrounds, and expectations you and your partner are bringing to your union. Through rigorous Bible study, you’ll learn about God’s expectations for marriage and be equipped with His solutions for dealing with typical marriage conflicts. three follow-up lessons after your marriage help you reflect on everything that happened after you said “I do.”
Catching Foxes: A Gospel-Guided Path to Marriage, by John Henderson
Catching Foxes has been written to help engaged couples prepare for marriage. Written in a semi-interactive workbook format, it guides couples toward a Christ-centered, Christ-exalting paradigm of marriage. It establishes a biblical foundation for marriage and helps couples better understand what God wants for them and from them in marriage. if you are a pastor or church leader tasked with helping couples prepare for marriage, or if you are an engaged couple who want to identify and catch the “little foxes” before they ruin the vineyard of your marriage (song of Solomon 2:15), you will find this book very helpful.
preparing for marriage: help for christian couples, by john piper
Getting to know that special someone includes learning about family and friends, education and athletics, favorite hobbies, books, movies, life’s best and worst times, the brightest and darkest places. of our environment. but what about theology? did you ever think to ask about that? And then there are the questions about worship and devotion, and the roles of husband and wife, questions too many couples don’t think to ask. When preparing for marriage, or even just beginning to consider it, it helps to have the perspective of not only a seasoned husband of over forty years, but also a seasoned pastor and theologian.
Pre-Engagement: Five Questions to Ask, by David Powlison and John Yenchko
How do you know if you’re ready to get married? what are the signs that a man and a woman are going in the same direction and are for each other? In this booklet, a biblical counselor and a pastor team up to offer five pertinent questions that will help couples decide whether to commit to one another for life. These questions bring to light basic convictions, assumptions, expectations, priorities, and more. As couples explore and discuss them, they will get to know themselves and each other better, a wise investment in building a marriage on a solid foundation, with Christ at the center.
letters to a romantic: on dating, by sean perron and spencer harmon
Whether you’re dating or not, if you’re a young person thinking about romance, you probably have a lot of questions. who should you go out with how do you turn down an unwanted date, navigate a first date, or break up with someone? is marriage really for you? The Bible is enough to help you think through the concerns of singleness and dating, and it has crucial things to say about the thoughts, attitudes, actions, and situations that commonly come up in this exciting season of life. In friendly, no-nonsense letters, Sean and Spencer (and sometimes their wives, Jenny and Taylor) explore God’s Word for answers about singleness, starting a relationship, and difficult dating situations, from breakups to boundaries. broken. your biblical insights will help you make informed decisions about the path ahead.
letters to a romantic: on commitment, by sean perron and spencer harmon
If you’re engaged, you already know a thing or two about managing a relationship, but you’ll probably find that this interim period raises new questions. Turning to God’s Word for answers, Sean and Spencer have written him short letters full of biblical and practical wisdom. Straightforward and to the point, they cover topics ranging from the details of wedding planning to the big picture of your future lifelong relationship. find clarity in the midst of commitment and come to your marriage prepared!
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Not Married Yet: Finding Joy in Singleness and Dating, by Marshall Segal
many of you grew up assuming marriage would meet all your needs and unlock god’s purposes for you. But God has much more planned for you than your future marriage. not yet married is not about waiting quietly in a corner of the world for god to bring you “the one”, but about being inspired to live and date more now. If you follow Jesus, the search for a spouse is no longer a search for the perfect person, but a search for more of God. He’ll probably write a different love story for you than you would write for yourself, but that’s because he loves you and knows how to write a better story. This book was written to help you find true hope, happiness, and purpose in your single life.
she’s got the wrong guy: why smart women settle, by deepak reju
Why do the kindest women choose men who let them down for one reason or another? the answers are not always simple. For some women, the problem is as simple as not really thinking about what they are looking for or should be looking for in a man. others feel like they would rather be with someone (and almost everyone would) than be alone, while others are unconsciously replicating patterns of bad relationships they learned in childhood or from traumatic experiences and don’t know how to stop the cycle. Deepak Reju, writing about his years of experience as a pastor and counselor, shares his perspective on how to assess the strengths of a relationship early on, how to identify potential roadblocks, and how to have the courage not just to settle but to wait. a relationship that will be a blessing for both.
danger signs of an unhealthy dating relationship, by lou priolo
I know that the one I intend to spend the rest of my life with is a sinner. I am also one I know that no two people are totally compatible, and in a marriage of two sinners there will be difficulties. But sometimes I wonder if we’ll make it. there are issues where we keep stumbling. am I being too sensitive? do I worry about anything? Or, are my concerns about our compatibility valid? If thoughts and questions like this trouble you, this book will help. Here’s an inventory to help you decide if the light on the road in front of you is green, yellow, or red. is designed to identify problem areas before moving forward with marriage plans, to serve as a helpful tool as you seek godly counsel from those who advise you.
the sacred quest: what if it’s not who you marry, but why? by gary thomas
What would happen if you stopped looking for a “soul mate” and started looking for a “only partner”, someone who will live with you the great purpose of God? What if dating isn’t about finding “the one,” but about making a wise decision so you can better serve the one who loves you the most? what if god didn’t design relationships to make you happy, but to make you holy? In The Sacred Quest, Gary Thomas transforms the way you view romantic relationships. Whether you’re single, dating, or engaged, Gary’s unique perspective on dating will set you up for a satisfying and spiritually nurturing marriage before you even walk down the aisle. As Gary reminds us, a good marriage isn’t something you find, it’s something you make.
A Christ-Centered Wedding: Rejoicing in the Gospel on Your Big Day, by Catherine Parks
Wedding planning has spawned an important industry. The average cost of the occasion now exceeds $25,000, and the social pressure to create the “perfect day” is so strong that even Christian couples forget what God originally planned for the sacred marriage ceremony. While paying attention to the good fun that follows that special proposal (the dress, the flowers, the cake, the gatherings, etc.), a Christ-centered wedding serves first as a guide for believers who want their wedding to represent the relationship of Christ with the church and reflect the gospel to all attendees. From the beginning, this thoughtful book seeks the wedding maker’s guidance in planning by emphasizing the savior’s sacrificial love rather than the modern world’s idealistic view of romantic love. There are chapters full of practical information on everything from premarital advice and choosing a wedding venue to other resources like a planning checklist and timeline, music suggestions, guidance on potential conflict issues, a list of traditional financial responsibilities , sample vows, and other great ideas from couples who have successfully hosted a Christ-centered wedding.
Join the conversation
How did any of these premarital books impact your marriage? your premarital counseling ministry?
what books would you add to this list?
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