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The Story Of Marriage
Part of the Messenger Series on The Story Of Marriage.
ONCE UPON A TIME...
Marriage was forever. It was a covenant that knit one man and one woman together. This weaving made both stronger, nobler, and more vibrant expressions of who they were created to be. They were better together than either had been on their own.
The wedding ceremony was but a beginning. It was the gateway to build their happily ever after. Each choice and action was designed to construct the life their union represented. Husband and wife walked into the great unknown with hearts, hands, and voices intertwined to express the love of their Creator.
How did we lose touch with this profound love story? In The Story of Marriage, John and Lisa Bevere invite you to rediscover God's original plan. Whether you're married, single, or engaged, your story is a part of His.
ONCE UPON A TIME...
Marriage was forever. It was a covenant that knit one man and one woman together. This weaving made both stronger, nobler, and more vibrant expressions of who they were created to be. They were better together than either had been on their own.
The wedding ceremony was but a beginning. It was the gateway to build their happily ever after. Each choice and action was designed to construct the life their union represented. Husband and wife walked into the great unknown with hearts, hands, and voices intertwined to express the love of their Creator.
How did we lose touch with this profound love story? In The Story of Marriage, John and Lisa Bevere invite you to rediscover God's original plan. Whether you're married, single, or engaged, your story is a part of His.
248 pages, Paperback
First published August 10, 2014
170 people are currently reading
703 people want to read
About the author
John Bevere
154 books924 followersMarked by boldness and passion, John Bevere delivers uncompromising truth through his award-winning curriculums and bestselling books, now in more than 60 languages, including "The Bait of Satan," "Drawing Near" and "Driven by Eternity." He is an international speaker and co-host of "The Messenger" TV program broadcast worldwide.
John enjoys living in Colorado Springs with his wife, Lisa, also a best-selling author and speaker, and their four sons.
John enjoys living in Colorado Springs with his wife, Lisa, also a best-selling author and speaker, and their four sons.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 1, 2018
Out of the many many many marriage books I've read, I would probably rate this as the top amongst all ( so far ). No longer is marriage books about orthodox christian beliefs, or the "top 10 rules to perfect marriage". Like what the Beveres likened it to a tree:
“In so many ways, our marriages can be likened to trees of life. Marriages grow at different rates in different seasons and do best when anchored by mature roots. They experience both fruit-bearing and barren years, as well as years of exceptional growth and others when growth is stunted. Each marriage is affected by its native climate, varying seasons, and buffeting storms, yet marriage offers shelter from life's ever-changing winds.”
Marriage is indeed susceptible to varying seasons, of which storms and coldness are inevitable. It reminded me that there is no one perfect marriage- neither is the Bevere's marriage a perfect one. What we need to do is to constantly remind ourselves of how God has loved us, despite us disappointing time after time. Similarly, both my husband and I have disappointed each other on many occasions, and many times, we chose not love but anger, wrath and unforgiveness. Bevere's stories of how they have grown over the years reflect their love for God, and it in turn challenges me to reflect God's love on my husband as well.
My favourite quote is this!
“If you approach marriage from the truly humble position of a servant, you will experience a divine union.”
“Serving is about both action and attitude. Every time you have occasion to serve your spouse, you can choose one of three responses: to refuse and opt for selfishness, to serve with a begrudging sense of obligation, or to joyfully lay down your life because you delight in supporting your mate.”
The challenge in a marriage- is not about who's going to be the first one who says sorry, and who forgives and forgets, or who ends the war first. It is all about serving, the purpose of God coming down to us to serve all of us is a true testament of serving.
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God...he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave. - Philippians 2:5-7
“In so many ways, our marriages can be likened to trees of life. Marriages grow at different rates in different seasons and do best when anchored by mature roots. They experience both fruit-bearing and barren years, as well as years of exceptional growth and others when growth is stunted. Each marriage is affected by its native climate, varying seasons, and buffeting storms, yet marriage offers shelter from life's ever-changing winds.”
Marriage is indeed susceptible to varying seasons, of which storms and coldness are inevitable. It reminded me that there is no one perfect marriage- neither is the Bevere's marriage a perfect one. What we need to do is to constantly remind ourselves of how God has loved us, despite us disappointing time after time. Similarly, both my husband and I have disappointed each other on many occasions, and many times, we chose not love but anger, wrath and unforgiveness. Bevere's stories of how they have grown over the years reflect their love for God, and it in turn challenges me to reflect God's love on my husband as well.
My favourite quote is this!
“If you approach marriage from the truly humble position of a servant, you will experience a divine union.”
“Serving is about both action and attitude. Every time you have occasion to serve your spouse, you can choose one of three responses: to refuse and opt for selfishness, to serve with a begrudging sense of obligation, or to joyfully lay down your life because you delight in supporting your mate.”
The challenge in a marriage- is not about who's going to be the first one who says sorry, and who forgives and forgets, or who ends the war first. It is all about serving, the purpose of God coming down to us to serve all of us is a true testament of serving.
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God...he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave. - Philippians 2:5-7
December 22, 2021
I read some of the chapters from this book together with my husband for our devotions. I must say, this book helped in initiating conversations my husband and I would have never thought of having. The discussion questions at the end of each chapter helped in conversing about what we had read and how to practically apply it. I will recommend this book for Christians to read together with their spouse, you can still read it individually but most of the discussion prompts are tailored for couple discussions and I think that’s the best way to get the most out of this book.
January 10, 2024
Convicting and very useful to work through with your spouse to sift through the problematic areas in your individual marriage.
December 11, 2025
A wonderful marriage study for all stages of marriage. We've read through some chapters several times, and have found extreme value.
October 8, 2019
I haven't really read a lot of books on marriage, since 1- I'm not married, 2- I'm not even in a relationship. Lol. That being said, it was still a very refreshing insight on marriage. It enlarged my view on marriage and gave me more respect for those who are married... and yes, it made me think real hard if I want this too, ha! It surely is not a walk in a park, like what 6-year old me dreamed it would be. I knew that before, but I definitely know it more now.
Thanks, John and Lisa Bevere, for giving us not only your thoughts and experience on marriage but basing it with God's Word, most importantly.
Recommended.
Thanks, John and Lisa Bevere, for giving us not only your thoughts and experience on marriage but basing it with God's Word, most importantly.
Recommended.
August 1, 2019
The book of Marriage by John & Lisa Bevere
Al ooit agter gekom hoe die duiwel besig is om ons huwelike aan te val? Nie dat ek hom enige krediet wil gee nie. Het jy al besef hoeveel paartjies is geskei? In my ma’le se dorpie is daar 98% van Graad 1 ouers in die 2018 skool jaar geskei en dit breek my hart. Ek oordeel nie in teen deel verstaan ek, maar die huwelik is vir ewig. Dit is ‘n verbond wat ‘n man en vrou met mekaar onder teken.
Wat is die bloudruk van God vir ons huwelike? Hoe kan jy vir altyd n gelukkige huwelik hê? In die verhaal van die huwelik nooi John en Lisa Bevere jou uit om God se oorspronklike plan vir die huwelik te herontdek. Of jy nou getroud, enkel of verloof is, jou storie is deel van God se blou druk.
Dit gaan oor die diepgaande liefdesverhaal. Die boek is ‘n inter aktiewe boek en kan of by jouself of saam ‘n kerk groep gedoen word en dit sluit die volgende in:
• Daaglikse toewydings
• Vrae vir groepbespreking
• Gereedskap vir jou droom huwelik
• Stappe om jou storie te vertel.
• Ek staan op die punt om te trou 10 dae en counting soos die Engelse sal sê. Maar om te weet wat God se bloudruk vir die huwelik is het my soveel meer gerus gestel. Ek kom ook uit ‘n gebroke huwelik. Dis amazing om God se hart te hoor en dit te kan toe pas. Waar ek altyd bang was vir trou sien ek nou uit om my huwelik saam God en die diep liefde verhaal te laat manifisteer.
• En net as jy gedink het Lisa & John het nie probleme gehad nie dink weer; dis as gevolg daarvan dat hulle almal wil help. Die boek is ‘n belegging in jou verhouding met jou maat en huwelik saam met God.
Al ooit agter gekom hoe die duiwel besig is om ons huwelike aan te val? Nie dat ek hom enige krediet wil gee nie. Het jy al besef hoeveel paartjies is geskei? In my ma’le se dorpie is daar 98% van Graad 1 ouers in die 2018 skool jaar geskei en dit breek my hart. Ek oordeel nie in teen deel verstaan ek, maar die huwelik is vir ewig. Dit is ‘n verbond wat ‘n man en vrou met mekaar onder teken.
Wat is die bloudruk van God vir ons huwelike? Hoe kan jy vir altyd n gelukkige huwelik hê? In die verhaal van die huwelik nooi John en Lisa Bevere jou uit om God se oorspronklike plan vir die huwelik te herontdek. Of jy nou getroud, enkel of verloof is, jou storie is deel van God se blou druk.
Dit gaan oor die diepgaande liefdesverhaal. Die boek is ‘n inter aktiewe boek en kan of by jouself of saam ‘n kerk groep gedoen word en dit sluit die volgende in:
• Daaglikse toewydings
• Vrae vir groepbespreking
• Gereedskap vir jou droom huwelik
• Stappe om jou storie te vertel.
• Ek staan op die punt om te trou 10 dae en counting soos die Engelse sal sê. Maar om te weet wat God se bloudruk vir die huwelik is het my soveel meer gerus gestel. Ek kom ook uit ‘n gebroke huwelik. Dis amazing om God se hart te hoor en dit te kan toe pas. Waar ek altyd bang was vir trou sien ek nou uit om my huwelik saam God en die diep liefde verhaal te laat manifisteer.
• En net as jy gedink het Lisa & John het nie probleme gehad nie dink weer; dis as gevolg daarvan dat hulle almal wil help. Die boek is ‘n belegging in jou verhouding met jou maat en huwelik saam met God.
August 16, 2022
RECOMENDASSO!
Tem um segmento sobre maldição hereditária onde a teologia é ligeiramente discutível, porém no resto é bem educativo.
Li junto com minha noiva, e como cristãos que cresceram de baixo de uma organização eclesiástica não muito habituada a dar orientação especifica neste tema o livro foi bem educativo como um todo.
Super recomendo, tanto para casados como para os noivos que pretendem arrematar o laço no futuro breve. Lições fortes, bíblicas e pragmáticas sobre como manter um casamento prospero e frutífero do jeitinho que Jesus planeja para todos nós!
No mais,
Grande abraço & God Bless!
Tem um segmento sobre maldição hereditária onde a teologia é ligeiramente discutível, porém no resto é bem educativo.
Li junto com minha noiva, e como cristãos que cresceram de baixo de uma organização eclesiástica não muito habituada a dar orientação especifica neste tema o livro foi bem educativo como um todo.
Super recomendo, tanto para casados como para os noivos que pretendem arrematar o laço no futuro breve. Lições fortes, bíblicas e pragmáticas sobre como manter um casamento prospero e frutífero do jeitinho que Jesus planeja para todos nós!
No mais,
Grande abraço & God Bless!
May 16, 2024
I really enjoyed this book! It contained very practical and godly insight. I appreciate the authors for constantly pointing the reader to Scripture and sharing their own experiences.
God has used this book to change my perspective on marriage. Marriage was once very scary to think about, but it has transformed into something I look forward to. I recommend completing the exercises at the end of the chapter. Every chapter also has an exercise that can be paired with a video session on MessengerX, the Bevere’s app.
Would read again!
God has used this book to change my perspective on marriage. Marriage was once very scary to think about, but it has transformed into something I look forward to. I recommend completing the exercises at the end of the chapter. Every chapter also has an exercise that can be paired with a video session on MessengerX, the Bevere’s app.
Would read again!
May 31, 2025
Honestly, when I was given this book, "The Story of Marriage," I did not want to read it. I thought there was no reason to waste my time on a book about marriage when mine was already perfect. Boy, did this book humble me 😂 I have loved adding it to my morning time with the Lord. He has given us so much to think about, discuss together, and act on for the sake of our marriage. Highly recommend, especially if you think you've got it all together 😉♥️
May 24, 2019
I'm definitely going to apply these concepts into my marriage. Beautiful for newlyweds, giving them a foundation in Christ. Love learning about how God sees marriage - a beautiful, blessed and fruitful covenant between two imperfect human beings. Thank you for writing this book. There's always improvements to be made.
August 23, 2020
This book was explicit about the work required to be married with plenty of practical examples of the types of effort needed to maintain fulfilling marriage. The transparency and hope throughout was encouraging. Definitely recommendable to anyone considering marriage or already married.
August 7, 2025
Quanta revelação sobre casamento! Um dos livros mais fortes que já li sobre o tema. Trouxe temor ao meu coração sobre a responsabilidade que carregamos ao casar. Recomendo a todos os casados e quem deseja se casar.
February 2, 2020
A good read as a startup for newly wed young couples. Highly recommended.
May 28, 2020
Me and my fiance have been using this book as our premarital counseling. Since we're currently on different continents it felt like a creative way to do this, and the book was amazing. :)
April 9, 2021
I Read it before my wedding in Arabic .
March 23, 2022
I gift this book to newlyweds now. It’s that impactful! But I do believe it can help established marriages too. Before you quit, commit to completing this together.
June 10, 2023
A great book to identify main aspects to be considered in a relationship having God presents all the time. With God We can everything.
September 23, 2024
Incredible book, with a different look at marriage from a Christian perspective. Liberating.
did-not-finish-25
August 28, 2025I just did not think it was a good fit
January 3, 2026
Read with our marriage group at church. Definitely recommend for all couples, strong marriages and/or marriages that are currently struggling. Excellent material!
June 2, 2015
I really like the tone behind this book. The approach is transparent and honest, refers to and promotes other great marriage resources, and speaks from 30 years of personal experience.
Because so much of it is written from personal experience, I think the bias there will help couples connect to the Bevere’s story and be encouraged by it or prevent other couples from being able to relate to the Bevere’s experience and not take away as much.
The book is setup to be read three ways, as a devotional, as a read-through, or as a group study.
I took the time to go slow, like a daily devotional, at the beginning of the book and took time to journal my answers. However, as I progressed through the book, I found myself continuing to read through on to the next day’s devotional.
I read and considered all the questions at the end of each section. I found them to be intentional and practical. Most of them, I had considered before but acknowledge that these questions need to be revisited in each season of life.
My biggest takeaway was the way in which the Beveres broke marriage down into metaphorical seasons and how each season has it’s pros and cons. It is refreshing to hear that the golden years of marriage can be just as good as or better than the exciting beginning of a relationship.
I can recommend this as a resource with great fundamentals and check-up questions for already existing marriages. It feels more like a course correcting guide for those already in marriage and I therefore feel less inclined to recommend to unmarried people but it could be used as preventative medicine by mature, engaged couples who desire to learn from other’s mistakes and wisdom before embarking on the journey that is marriage.
Because so much of it is written from personal experience, I think the bias there will help couples connect to the Bevere’s story and be encouraged by it or prevent other couples from being able to relate to the Bevere’s experience and not take away as much.
The book is setup to be read three ways, as a devotional, as a read-through, or as a group study.
I took the time to go slow, like a daily devotional, at the beginning of the book and took time to journal my answers. However, as I progressed through the book, I found myself continuing to read through on to the next day’s devotional.
I read and considered all the questions at the end of each section. I found them to be intentional and practical. Most of them, I had considered before but acknowledge that these questions need to be revisited in each season of life.
My biggest takeaway was the way in which the Beveres broke marriage down into metaphorical seasons and how each season has it’s pros and cons. It is refreshing to hear that the golden years of marriage can be just as good as or better than the exciting beginning of a relationship.
I can recommend this as a resource with great fundamentals and check-up questions for already existing marriages. It feels more like a course correcting guide for those already in marriage and I therefore feel less inclined to recommend to unmarried people but it could be used as preventative medicine by mature, engaged couples who desire to learn from other’s mistakes and wisdom before embarking on the journey that is marriage.
April 5, 2015
Great book for married people and unmarried people. It is great for people who think their marriages are going great or people that think their marriage couldn't be worse. This is a great book for everyone!
September 23, 2014
This book is great for singles, newlyweds or seasoned married couples. A must read for all couple! John and Lisa are open and real about their marriage. Their advice is practical and true.
February 24, 2015
Best book on marriage I've ever read!
April 6, 2015
Very good curriculum! I recommend it to everyone.
February 22, 2016
Painfully honest and real.
January 8, 2020
Good discussion questions.
June 24, 2015
Great book!
April 16, 2017
I read an e-book only and i highly recommend this. These couple has a rough start but by the grace of God and with the help from the Holy Spirit they've been a beautiful legacy of a godly family throughout the years. They first share their story and then talk on the specific topics like forgiveness, family curses, fear, the relationships with the in-laws, unrealistic expectations and more. They are writing from the many years of experience and from their mistakes that God has fixed. So i really loved the preciseness of their advise.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews