10 Great Dates Before You Say 'I Do'

by David Arp, Curt Brown, Natelle Brown

A unique approach featuring fun-filled dates to help seriously dating and engaged couples strengthen their relationship. Couples will soon discover whether or not to go to the next level of commitment, and will spend quality time together now while preparing for a great marriage in the future.
BACKCOVER: Fun, relationship-building dates for seriously dating and engaged couples

Are we suited for each other?

Should we become engaged?

Imagine fun-filled dates that actually teach relationship skills you'll use once you're married. Want to learn about the differences between men and women while you peruse the shelves at the movie rental store? How about realizing your role in the marriage by planning and preparing a meal together?

Like the format used in the Arps' previous book, 10 Great Dates to Energize Your Marriage, a short date "launch" using the book primes the pump for a series of fun, enriching, and energizing dates. Couples will soon discover whether or not to go to the next level of commitment, and will spend quality time together now while preparing for a great marriage in the future.

Each date's theme is based upon research of the best and most-used marriage preparation topics, interpersonal inventories, and courses. Counselors, clergy, and marriage counselors will use this book as an add-on resource in programs such as Foccus, Prepare, PREP, SYMBIS, and Marriage Savers. Couples will use 10 Great Dates before You Say "I Do" to practice the skills they're learning in these courses-and have a lot of fun doing it!

Author Biography: David & Claudia Arp are the founders and directors of Marriage Alive International and they conduct seminars across the United States and Europe. They have written numerous books, including "10 Great Dates to Energize Your Marriage", "Love Life for Parents", "Suddenly They're 13", and "The Second Half of Marriage". They have three grown sons and live in Knoxville, TN; Curt and Natelle Brown are mentoring experts who add real-life stories of engaged couples and bring a wealth of knowledge from their work. They are trained in a number of national marriage education programs and are working full-time with Marriage Alive, leading seminars around the country. Natelle has her master's degree in marriage and family therapy. They live in Morrison, CO.

Genres: Marriage, Relationships, Nonfiction

MP3 CD

First published February 6, 2009

About the author

Claudia Arp and David Arp, MSW, founders of Marriage Alive International, Inc., share a passion for helping couples build great marriages through fun, relationship-building dates. The Arps introduced the dating concept when dating wasn’t cool. Today their 10 Great Dates® brand of resources including books, DVD-based programs and seminars, are popular nationally and internationally. They have authored over 30 books, including the award winning The Second Half of Marriage.

Reviews

[Katie Holloman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Older book, but for sure recommend before you get engaged :)

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helpful to go through, and even fun. The book helps you create an atmosphere to talk one-on-one with your significant other and delve into conversation about personalities, preferences, expectations, styles of communication, and other topics pertinent to committed relationships... Your opinions will be challenged, and you'll probably find out some surprising things about your significant other. The books is rarely cheesy, which was a plus. Would recommend to anyone in a serious relationship, engaged, on the road to marriage, etc. You will get out of it what you put into it.

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for dating couples who are considering marriage. It will take you through 10 purposeful dates and guide you to discuss topics such as communication, dealing with conflict, finances, family and others that most couples never talk about before marriage and only a few do after engagement during pre-marriage counseling.

[Kiersten Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great launching pad for premarital discussions. We read this book with mentors, and the topics and “date nights” sparked rich and important conversations. There were some great ideas on communication that I appreciated, and the interactive parts of the book have proven to have actually benefited our marriage!

[Harry Morasch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inhalt ist fast nur auf Erfahrung basiert und wenig bis gar nicht auf Wissenschaft und Psychologie.

Teilweise fragliche und seltsame Tipps.

Das beste am Buch sind die Übungen am Ende. Die helfen dabei, sich kennenzulernen.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say, they were great dates! ❤

[Cyndie Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obviously read this book a little late. We did not end up doing the exercises but it was still a good book to read and gave a good perspective on some topics that are important to work through for marriage. Definitely intended for a Christian audience.

[Graham Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

So helpful for our time of engagement. GREAT ideas on how to connect before marriage!

[Oksana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book helped me and my dear Husband to talk through lots of different aspects of a married life. We both enjoyed the dates, and found them helpful.

[Juliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good resource for premarital counselling.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good for couples