Pre-Marital

 

Saving Your Marriage Before it Starts, by Les & Leslie Parrot

 

I highly recommend this book and workbook combination to be used by all pre-marital couples I work with. This book is a great dialogue starter on the key issues in marriage, yet offers practical self-assessments and exercises to practice with your mate.

 

 

The Sacred Search, by Gary Thomas

 

Similar to Sacred Marriage, Gary Thomas really connects to the deeper meaning of relationship and the spiritual journey marriage embarks us on.

 

 

 

Marriage Enrichment

 

Boundaries in Marriage, by Cloud & Townsend

 

It is essential to establish a healthy distinction of “me” versus “you” versus “us” in a spiritual marriage, and Cloud & Townsend do just that in this book. Scriptural based truths presented in direct and practical ways that encourage you to develop a healthy “relationship posture” for marriage.

 

 

The Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman

 

The importance of emotionally investing in our spouses can never be overstated, and Gary Chapman helps you to discover the depths of importance each style you and your spouse may have of expressing and receiving love.

 

 

Love & Respect, by Emerson Eggerichs

 

Based on the scriptural truths of Ephesians 5:33, this book really explains the importance of validating and loving each other prior to seeking the validation and love from each other. The goal is to help you get off the “crazy cycle” in your marriage, and shift to the “energizing cycle” as God designed it.

 

 

 

Spiritual Maturity in Marriage

 

Sacred Marriage, by Gary Thomas

 

I highly recommend this book for couples who are looking to move past the “how to’s” and genuinely want to pursue the spiritual “heart to’s” of transforming their marriage into a deeper spiritual connection with God as well as their spouse.

 

 

Two Becoming One, by Don and Sally Meredith

 

Don and Sally highlight the type of spiritual foundation and practical spiritual disciplines can be followed by both spouses to create a maturity in marriage that can’t be found without God.

 

 

Love and War: Finding the Marriage You Dreamed Of, by John and Stasi Eldredge

 

Written with authentic and personable reflections from the authors, this is a very helpful dialogue starter between couples to recognize the storylines that have unfolded throughout their marriage and the chapters that God has yet to reveal.

 

 

 

Recovery in Marriage:

 

Open Hearts: Renewing Relationships with Recovery, Romance & Reality, by Carnes, Laaser & Laaser

 

Open Hearts is a book that a couple reads together, with the intention of having an honest, vulnerable look at themselves and the type of “dance” they have created by looking at the tougher issues and hurts, yet encourage the hope and true intimacy that exists when allowing love to prevail.

 

 

Hope for the Separated, by Gary Chapman

 

Hope for the Separated will show you through God's Word that your marriage can be restored. Recognizing that restoration will not happen for everyone, Dr. Chapman also gives insightful advice for those who experience the pain of divorce.