Starting Your Marriage Right: What You Need to Know and Do in the Early Years to Make It Last a Lifetime

by Dennis Rainey

The Raineys offer an upbeat and practical manual for marriage to guide couples through the challenges they face as they start their lives together.

Genres: Marriage, Christian, Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Dennis Rainey is president and CEO of FamilyLife, a division of Cru. Dennis and his wife, Barbara, have spoken at Weekend to Remember conferences around the world. Dennis serves as the daily host of the radio program "FamilyLife Today". He and Barbara have authored more than two dozen books, including the bestselling "Moments Together for Intimacy" and" Moments Together for Couples". The Raineys have six children and nineteen grandchildren.

Reviews

[Rachelle Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a sobering call away from selfishness, look no further than this classic from the Raineys. I read Starting Your Marriage Right quickly and easily and recommend it for engaged couples. Full of practical chapters about everything from in-laws to vacations, though, this book could easily apply to the first decade of marriage, as well. I enjoyed the conversational tone and easy reading level, but most of all I appreciated the emphasis on Scripture and a biblical worldview. Though some of the subjects were sobering (such as how marriage must change after children come and a marriage ends when death parts you), this book is practical, wise, and encouraging.

[Larissa Langsather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book even though my husband didn't read it with, but I plan to bring up all the subjects in the book periodically with him. This is a great book for newly married peoples.

[Melody Shafer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for newly married couples.

[Maegann Mansfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nathan and I read this one with another older couple in our marriage group. The discussion with the other couple was really good, but this book didn't offer much to stand on its own.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book when George and I were talking seriously about marriage. We read it together as a study after a year of marriage. The book is broken into chapters that are only a few pages with thought/discussion questions at the end. Perfect for a weekly study. It's what got us started on praying together every night. Something else I recommend for every married couple.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Filled with good advice for any marriage, this study style book is broken into short chapters. Each one deals with a different subject, money, sex, in-laws, etc. and includes discussion questions at the end. Some information is repetitive, but still relevant. The big themes are respect, love, making Christ the center of your marriage and letting go of selfish desires.

[Kayla Colyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book even though my husband didn't read it with me. I shared a few things with him here and there, which is kind of how I felt about the book. I marked a few things to reference when things come up but some of it was so "planned" and we are just not like that. Overall, being five years into marriage and finally reading this, I just liked it.

[Constance · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of useful information about how to get through struggles and how to build on appreciating one's spouse. A lot of emphasis on communication. The author views marital conflict as something inevitable but has reassures that they could be placated through the right approach.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book for anyone who is recently married or thinking of getting married soon.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

devotional type book with lots of good discussion ideas. i love this one.

[Shaneen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to read this your husband or wife! It has little exercise at the end of each chapter.

[Esme_weatherwax · Rating 1 out of 5]

Has some good tips, but it is definitely for the Christian couple.

[Emmie Marigold · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's nothing you couldn't get from this book that other, better books don't provide.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend