God's Focus for Our Marriages

I have been searching for some literature for us to possible use for the couple's bible study Adam and I are trying to get together for this upcoming fall. I talked to Annie about it last week and thought I would get all of your input. To be completely honest I have never attended a bible study. I have been on retreats (ages ago), and Adam and I have participated in many devotionals, but I am unsure as to what a successful bible study needs. I know it starts with the bible but where do you go from there (it is a huge book you know)! We are coming up on the second church summit that is addressing our refocus plan this weekend. I wanted to have some information on the idea of getting together a couples bible study and possible literature to share with the preacher. So here is what I found...


When Sinners Say I Do (book and study guide) By: Dave Harvey

It is a 10 chapter book and this is the synopsis I found, "Marriage is the union of two people who arrive at the altar toting some surprisingly large luggage. Often it gets opened right there on the honeymoon, sometimes it waits for the week after. The Bible calls it sin and understanding its influence can make all the difference for a man and woman who are building a life together. When Sinners Say "I Do" is about encountering the life-transforming power of the gospel in the unpredictable journey of marriage. Dave's writing style embraces the reader as he speaks honestly, and sometimes humorously, about sin and the power of the gospel to overcome it. He opens the delightful truth of God's word and encourages the reader to see more clearly the glorious picture of what God does when sinners say "I do"."

Man after I read that I got excited! I love it when the book summary gets you excited, but then again that is what it's supposed to do. The study guide for this book is neat because it has a personal reflection, a reflection portion for couples, and then the group reflection.


Fireproof Your Marriage Couple's Study

I pulled this blurb about the study from the Love Dare website, "This six session in-home study is a great way for you and your spouse to build and strengthen your marriage. The Fireproof Your Marriage study integrates movie clips from FIREPROOF, along with key Scriptures, thought-provoking questions and devotionals, including concepts from The Love Dare book. Learn to appreciate the God-designed differences between men and women, how God's love enables you to love others and how to live a life free from temptations that can destroy your marriage."

Adam and I borrowed Fireproof the movie from my parents a couple months back, and we loved it. The acting was a bit hairy at first but the overall message was powerful. I cried because it was hard to grasp how a marriage can become so volatile when you are so happy in yours. We did not buy The Love Dare, because we were reading several books at that time, but my mom did it and she loved it.


Love and Respect by DR. Emerson Eggerichs.

A snip of what they have on the website. There are several different types of studies, but the concept of the book was interesting. "Based on over three decades of counseling, as well as scientific and biblical research, Dr. Emerson Eggerichs and his wife, Sarah, have already taken the Love and Respect message across America and are changing the way couples talk to, think about, and treat each other. What do you want for your marriage? Want some peace? Want to feel close? Want to feel valued? Want to experience marriage the way God intended? Then why not try some Love and Respect."

Love and respect...what more could we ask for from our spouse. In all the books Adam and I have read together thus far for men it is all about respect, so this book title has me intrigued.


So there you have it the three I have found...what do you all think? Do you have any other suggestions for studies you have heard of or have taking part in. What books of the bible are great for reading that focus on the sacrament of marriage?

*LRW*