Free Downloads Sacred Marriage Participant's Guide: What If God Designed Marriage To Make Us Holy More Than To Make Us Happy?
In this six-session small group Bible study, Sacred Marriage, writer and speaker Gary Thomas invites you to see how God can use marriage as a discipline and a motivation to reflect more of the character of Jesus. Your marriage is much more than a union between you and your spouse. It is a spiritual discipline ideally suited to help you know God more fully and intimately. Sacred Marriage shifts the focus from marital enrichment to spiritual enrichment in ways that can help you love your mate more. Whether it is delightful or difficult, your marriage can become a doorway to a closer walk with God. Everything about your marriage—from the history you and your spouse create, to the love you share, to the forgiveness you both offer and seek by turn—is filled with the capacity to help you grow in Christ's character. In addition to life-changing insights, you’ll find a wealth of discussion questions in this Participant’s Guide that will spark meaningful conversation in your group, between you and your spouse, or to simply ponder by yourself. You’ll also find self-assessments, activities, and highlights all created to help you engage deeply and prayerfully with the content of this study. Designed for use with the Sacred Marriage DVD (sold separately). Sessions include: God’s Purpose for Marriage The Refining Power of Marriage The God-Centered Spouse Sacred History Sexual Saints Marriage: The Love Laboratory
Paperback: 80 pages
Publisher: Zondervan; Gld edition (August 4, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310880661
ISBN-13: 978-0310880660
Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.3 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (84 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #8,885 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #37 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Education #69 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Christian Living > Marriage #2023 in Books > Religion & Spirituality
Next to the Bible itself, Sacred Marriage has been more helpful to me than any other book I've ever read -- and I've read a lot! I've read way too many of what my sister calls "Suck it up, Sweetie" books -- you know, the ones that tell you that if you make menu plans, get the laundry done regularly and have sex at your husband's every whim you will have a wonderful marriage. Those books are more discouraging than anything else, and I believe they cause more harm than good.Gary's book isn't like that. It hleps you to focus on the true goal - not how to have a wonderful marriage, but how to how to have a wonderful relationship with God, no matter what your marriage is like. Of course, I've found that following the biblical principals in this book, my marriage is much more satisfying -- even though nothing much has changed other than my own heart and my own focus.Thank you, Gary, for writing a no-nonsense book that simply gives us the message of the Bible in relevant ways. The principals in this book not only apply to marriage, but to every aspect of life. I highly recommend it! (I've already worn out 5 copies and have given out at least that many to others.)
I originally read this book in a girls' small group that coincidentally turned into a engaged girls' small group. The truths in here are so electric that I had to carry a highlighter and basically highlight entire pages at a time!Comparing the message of this book to the world's opinions and to my own parents' marriage was so eye-opening to me. One of the points that I remember most, speaking of people in the area of ministry, and I paraphrase: "If you can't love your spouse, whom you have chosen specifically to love, then how will you love a stranger that God commands you to love?" How simply and yet profoundly deep is that?As an unwed girl then, and a happy newlywed now, I am so thankful for the timeless advice it offers and the beautiful picture it paints of a sacrificial marriage that clings to Christ for salvation. I can't wait to read it again and again as I enter new stages of relationship with my husband.
I found this book to be a unique view on marriage. So many books out there are all about what can marriage do for me and instead this book is about how God intended marriage to be and how that works for your spouse and yourself. It also is not a to do list of the things to do to improve your marriage. This book is more about the basis for a good marriage designed by God.
This book has become my go-to for counseling young married Christians. Usually, it's just one partner seeking advice in dealing with their mate. I tell them that there's no such advice available but I share this book with them. I remind them that this book is about them, not their spouse. I tell them not to share the book or even leave it laying around where their mate will see it. In follow-up conversations. They have,without fail, said it changed their entire concept of their marriage. Phenomenal book.
Love it. Wife and I went through as personal study together. I am usually pretty skeptical but had heard good things about the book. Was surprised that I actually felt I learned A LOT about our marriage in general with regards to being a Christian. I am a truly stubborn person and I feel this book opened my eyes and heart to my wife - vice versa. Recommend for any married, especially newly weds.
This product is really good if you use it along side the book. My husband and I are working through the book and using this guide to help our conversations about each chapter.
Gary Thomas challenges the reader to consider "how the goal of marriage is meant to strengthen our relationship with God much more than to make us happy." His book is based on God's design for marriage. Therefore, if you read and apply the wisdom in the pages, your marriage and more importantly, YOU will be changed in positive, lasting ways. I highly recommend this book for counselors and for those invested in rebuilding a broken marriage or making a current marriage better.
I highly recommend this book to all those married and think the perspective is needed for everyone. People contemplating marriage would also benefit. God grows us through relationships--especially our marriages. Yes, it is really challenging at times, but oh, so worth the perseverance.
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