Pulling off a successful wedding is one thing but fortifying a lifelong relationship is an entirely different endeavor. Relationship experts Jim Burns and Doug Fields invite couples to take a proactive approach to their marriage union—one that doesn’t shy away from sticky areas and tough topics—in order to develop a solid course from the very beginning. Jim and Doug apply decades of frontline experience working with couples into this fresh and practical resource. Organized in nine highly relevant sessions, each centered on key biblical and relational touchstones, Burns and Fields equip participants to confront big issues including communication, finances, spirituality, and intimacy—prior to their wedding day.
Great as a stand-alone resource or partnered with the Getting Ready for Marriage: A Practical Road Map for Your Journey Together book and companion video package.
Jim Burns is president of the HomeWord Center for Youth and Family at Azusa Pacific University. Jim speaks to thousands of people around the world each year. He has over 1.5 million resources in print and a radio broadcast heard on over 800 stations daily. He, his wife, and three daughters live in Southern California.
Doug Fields is the executive director of the HomeWord Center for Youth and Family at Azusa Pacific University. Doug has been a youth and teaching pastor at Mariners Church and Saddleback Church, and has authored over 50 books. He is a passionate speaker and blogger reaching thousands of leaders, teenagers, and parents every year. Doug resides with his wife and three children in Southern California.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Jim Burns, Ph.D., President of HomeWord is the host of the HomeWord with Jim Burns daily half-hour, daily one-minute, and weekly half-hour radio programs. His passion is communicating to adults and young people practical truths to help them live out their Christian lives.
Jim is the author of many resources including his latest books The Purity Code: God’s Plan for Sex and Your Body, Teaching Your Children Healthy Sexuality and Accept Nothing Less: God’s Best for Your Body, Mind and Heart. In recent years, he has also written Confident Parenting and Creating an Intimate Marriage which are available in audio CDs, books, and small group curriculum kits; The 10 Building Blocks for a Happy Family; Devotions on the Run; and Parenting Teenagers for Positive Results kit. Since 1985, HomeWord has been assisting parents and churches worldwide through radio, resources, seminars, and the web at www.homeword.com. Jim writes monthly columns for Ignite Your Faith magazine and Simply Youth Ministry newsletter and website.
This is the third book on marriage I have read since our engagement began. While good, this book essentially made the same points as the first two books I read, The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller and The 5 Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman. While this book gives practical tips for an upcoming marriage, I feel as if the first two books did a better job of giving the same tips along with their theological reasoning.
This book was simple, and easy to understand. I would recommend this book for anyone engaged, but I would also recommend the two books mentioned above even more.
This workbook was such a great tool for our premarital experience. Although we are not engaged, we joined a group at our church going through this workbook and reading the accompanying book with it, and it was extremely helpful in facilitating some conversations we really needed to have as we determine the next steps in our relationship. I loved it!
This book has been good to help us discuss important expectations for marriage. We were able to purchase one and just be intentional in discussing. Every marriage is different, but this is a good baseline for discussion. The challenge is to push yourself to start here and follow up the conversations with action and intentional goals for your marriage together.