Sweethearts for a Lifetime: Making the Most of Your Marriage

by Wayne A. Mack

A biblical, practical look at how couples can restore warmth and vitality to their marriages. Written for both newlyweds and those who have been married for years.

Genres: Marriage, Christian, Nonfiction, Counselling

296 pages, Paperback

First published September 18, 2006

About the author

Wayne Mack lives in Pretoria, South Africa, where he serves as a pastor-elder with his son-in-law and teaches biblical counseling at Strengthening Ministries Training Institute to pastors and aspiring pastors in the region. He also spends about six weeks in the USA teaching at various churches. He and his wife, Carol, have four adult children and numerous grandchildren.

Reviews

[Claire Lewandowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this read. Chapters are nice and short, but packed full of biblically sound and thought provoking info. Includes great discussion questions at the end of each chapter.

[Amy Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to finish this, but didn't. My husband and I borrowed it so I had to give it back. The best parts of it were the application questions, so practical. The writing itself wasn't super insightful, but very Biblical, which is always refreshing and a good reminder even in good marriages.

[James Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best "how-to" books on marriage there is. It is written for your average Christian, not necessarily a theologian. It is written in 41 short chapters, which helps give it a quick pace. There are application questions and surveys to help you evaluate and strengthen your marriage. Ultimately, Wayne and Carol hope couples will use this together to strengthen their marriage so that they can be sweethearts, not merely roommates who happen to be married.

[Rodeweeks · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nope. Despite being published in 2006 (which is 15years ago anyway) the views are outdated and extremely conservative. In order to be sweethearts for life the woman must be completely under the man - in modern language that means not having a voice for yourself. I'm all for unity within the marriage, but that also means equality - something which I cannot see in the views presented in this book.

[Nathanael Ayling · Rating 3 out of 5]

lots of helpful advice and biblical wisdom and teaching with plenty of practical application and exercises to do together. But often left me feeling discouraged because of not meeting his standards rather than inspired.

[Jonathan Klimek · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Most Practical Book on Marriage You Will Ever Read

Dr. Mack has written an excellent and practical book for both spouses to work through together. Short chapters filled with many questionnaires and evaluations which force each spouse to ask the difficult questions and face the truth about how each are doing...

[Olexiy Travnikov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meaning of marriage with a purpose. Love it.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for improving and refreshing your marriage.

[Michael Dionne]

A great book on marriage, especially for group discussion.

Strengths:
- The questions for personal review (as well as review of your marriage with your spouse) are in-depth, helpful, and initiate good conversation.
- The chapters are short and manageable, making for easy assignment in group study.
- The book is filled with helpful practical wisdom for couples.

Weaknesses:
- The organization of the book feels haphazard at time, and leans heavily on Mack's other books, which can be confusing.
- The chapters can (as noted above) be so short as to be weakly argued or explained. Sometimes a paragraph is spend on a topic that would be helped by much more conversation or time.

This book's strength is the first third, which focuses on the marriage as a unit. Most likely, the second two thirds, focusing on the husband and wife individually, are probably better replaced by The Excellent Wife and The Exemplary Husband, which are both fuller, more in-depth treatments of those subjects.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best marriage book I have ever picked up, especially since I'm not a fan of marriage books. This was not only solid, Bible-based, it's Gospel-based and very real and practical! I STILL remember things I learned from this during difficult days. Highly recommended for newlywed AND seasoned marriages!

[Elizabeth Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and practical on biblical marriage. Full of grace and encouragement for couples to strive after a more holy and sweet marriage, all enabled by the life-transforming grace through the gospel. The bar is set high but what an encouragement to see the authors model and display the kind of marriage we all hope for.