What do you think?
Rate this book
Preparing Children for Marriage: How to Teach God's Good Design for Marriage, Sex, Purity, and Dating
"My kids are way too young to be thinking about dating and marriage already! Why would I begin 'the talk' now, before they've even started asking questions?"
Many parents find it difficult to broach these topics with their children, especially in age-appropriate ways. But our choice is no longer between teaching them now or later -- if we do not reach them first, our culture is happy to step in with messages of its own. Someone is going to shape our children's beliefs -- so the time to start biblical conversations is now!
In this foundation-laying book, Josh Mulvihill offers theological training for a critical area of parenting. He walks parents through how to begin conversations, then teaches them God's purpose for dating, marriage, and sex so they can pass this teaching on to their children.
The Bible says children are never too young to learn God's plan for this area of their lives... so prepare yourself to prepare them for one of the most important decisions they will ever make.
Many parents find it difficult to broach these topics with their children, especially in age-appropriate ways. But our choice is no longer between teaching them now or later -- if we do not reach them first, our culture is happy to step in with messages of its own. Someone is going to shape our children's beliefs -- so the time to start biblical conversations is now!
In this foundation-laying book, Josh Mulvihill offers theological training for a critical area of parenting. He walks parents through how to begin conversations, then teaches them God's purpose for dating, marriage, and sex so they can pass this teaching on to their children.
The Bible says children are never too young to learn God's plan for this area of their lives... so prepare yourself to prepare them for one of the most important decisions they will ever make.
249 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2017
14 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Josh Mulvihill
19 books10 followersJosh Mulvihill is the executive director of church and family ministry at Renewanation, which trains children to develop a biblical worldview. He has also served as a pastor for nearly twenty years and is a founding member of the Legacy Coalition and Roots Kids Worship. He is the author of Biblical Grandparenting and the Rooted Kids curriculum and is the editor of Equipping Grandparents. Josh is married to Jen, and they have five children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 17, 2019
I led my church's family discipleship ministry through this book this year. I wasn't quite sure how it would go, because the group was diverse--some with kids in, or past high-school age, and some not even a year old. The book far exceeded any expectations I could have set for this because the book really works well for any adult audience--those considering marriage, those already married, and especially--those with children.
Not only is this book helpful in thinking about the purpose of raising children--but it works to strengthen your views and convictions about marriage and child-rearing. Mulvihill is intentional and pastoral in how he develops the book--everything is geared toward putting the principles into practice.
What is marriage--he tells not only what it is, but how to have a good one. What are children for--he tells you, and how to raise godly ones. The chapters are not long--I think the longest one is 15-20 pages. They can all be read fairly quickly. We read them out loud and then discussed them. Every chapter provided not only good conversation but conviction about how to be a better spouse, a better parent, a better disciple of Christ.
We'll likely return to this book in years to come, as a group, and I'll be better prepared to help prepare my children for marriage because of this book. I highly recommend it!
Not only is this book helpful in thinking about the purpose of raising children--but it works to strengthen your views and convictions about marriage and child-rearing. Mulvihill is intentional and pastoral in how he develops the book--everything is geared toward putting the principles into practice.
What is marriage--he tells not only what it is, but how to have a good one. What are children for--he tells you, and how to raise godly ones. The chapters are not long--I think the longest one is 15-20 pages. They can all be read fairly quickly. We read them out loud and then discussed them. Every chapter provided not only good conversation but conviction about how to be a better spouse, a better parent, a better disciple of Christ.
We'll likely return to this book in years to come, as a group, and I'll be better prepared to help prepare my children for marriage because of this book. I highly recommend it!
July 3, 2018
Best book on these topics!
This is a must read.
This is a must read.
May 28, 2021
Start early talking about marriage. This book gives biblical basis and practical tips for talking about all issues related to marriage: roles of husband and wife, singleness, crushes, porn, dating, etc. Gives easy to use conversation starters and how to talk to your children. Highly recommend, especially starting with kids about age 6.
October 11, 2017
This is an important subject that many parents do not think about until the time is at hand. As Christians, we must prepare our children early for the future they will face, including dating and the covenant of marriage. The culture we live in is saturated with sex and unholy unions. I found many issues in this book to be shocking and appalling. Not the subject matter itself, but rather the facts and figures regarding society and even the curriculum used in public schools. This short book by pastor Josh Mulvihill is saturated with scripture. It provides Biblical strategies for talking to your children and preparing them to lead a wholesome Christian life based on Biblical truths in the face of the bedlam they are surrounded by.
This book is divided into four parts:
1. Getting Started - Discusses what the Bible teaches to young people at what ages.
2. Marriage - Focuses on teaching children the biblical principles of marriage. Each chapter ends with a series of Bible study questions for generating discussion.
3. Sex and Purity - Demonstrates how to teach a child about sex from a biblical perspective and teaches parents how to have “the talk” with their children using Proverbs 5. The section also addresses how a young person can remain sexually pure in a hypersexual culture.
4. Dating - Helps parents and children to think about dating in a biblical and balanced way.
The appendix contains sections for further consideration. Appendic A is aimed specifically at grandparents and helping them understand their role is educating their grandchildren. Appendix B is one of the lessons the author teaches kindergarteners through sixth graders on marriage based on Proverbs 5.
I highly recommend this book to parents to use as a Biblical guide for preparing their children for marriage. This would also be a useful resource for pastors, counselors, and Christian educators. I received this as a free ARC from P&R Publishing on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is divided into four parts:
1. Getting Started - Discusses what the Bible teaches to young people at what ages.
2. Marriage - Focuses on teaching children the biblical principles of marriage. Each chapter ends with a series of Bible study questions for generating discussion.
3. Sex and Purity - Demonstrates how to teach a child about sex from a biblical perspective and teaches parents how to have “the talk” with their children using Proverbs 5. The section also addresses how a young person can remain sexually pure in a hypersexual culture.
4. Dating - Helps parents and children to think about dating in a biblical and balanced way.
The appendix contains sections for further consideration. Appendic A is aimed specifically at grandparents and helping them understand their role is educating their grandchildren. Appendix B is one of the lessons the author teaches kindergarteners through sixth graders on marriage based on Proverbs 5.
I highly recommend this book to parents to use as a Biblical guide for preparing their children for marriage. This would also be a useful resource for pastors, counselors, and Christian educators. I received this as a free ARC from P&R Publishing on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 6, 2023
What a unique and great book filled with biblical wisdom and so much practical advice and actionable items. This will be a primary go-to resource as I start diving deeper with my 9 & 10 year old.
Mulvihill has so much insight, so many great Bible passages to study with your children, and as a parent I am so thankful.
On page 247, he writes:
“We live at a time when many people have a low view of marriage. Our culture has taken that which God created good-marriage and sex--and has twisted it into a means of self-indulgence that focuses on the love of one person for another. Our culture tells young people that they need a boyfriend or girlfriend. It tells them that sexual exploration is a rite of passage. It tells them that it is normal, good, and healthy to indulge in whatever sexual desires they may have.
Your child needs to understand his or her sexuality through the lens of the Bible, not the other way around-to seek satisfaction in Christ alone, to learn sexual self-control, and to understand that sex points to the deeper love of the Savior for his church.”
And it really is so important to understand.
The only reason for four stars (I wish I could’ve given 4.5) is due to the fact that he doesn’t touch on the subject in any kind of depth about how to approach your child WHEN they commit a sexual sin (whether it be porn, sex, etc). The purpose is for that to happen but I wish there was more about this and God’s grace and forgiveness and not living with shame (obviously not living in the sexual sin either).
Also, I don’t fully agree with his interpretation of the Job covenant made. Otherwise this book should be on your top list for teaching Biblical sex to your children.
Mulvihill has so much insight, so many great Bible passages to study with your children, and as a parent I am so thankful.
On page 247, he writes:
“We live at a time when many people have a low view of marriage. Our culture has taken that which God created good-marriage and sex--and has twisted it into a means of self-indulgence that focuses on the love of one person for another. Our culture tells young people that they need a boyfriend or girlfriend. It tells them that sexual exploration is a rite of passage. It tells them that it is normal, good, and healthy to indulge in whatever sexual desires they may have.
Your child needs to understand his or her sexuality through the lens of the Bible, not the other way around-to seek satisfaction in Christ alone, to learn sexual self-control, and to understand that sex points to the deeper love of the Savior for his church.”
And it really is so important to understand.
The only reason for four stars (I wish I could’ve given 4.5) is due to the fact that he doesn’t touch on the subject in any kind of depth about how to approach your child WHEN they commit a sexual sin (whether it be porn, sex, etc). The purpose is for that to happen but I wish there was more about this and God’s grace and forgiveness and not living with shame (obviously not living in the sexual sin either).
Also, I don’t fully agree with his interpretation of the Job covenant made. Otherwise this book should be on your top list for teaching Biblical sex to your children.
March 11, 2025
I'm not sure I agree with the gift suggestions to children to help them grow into their roles as husband and wife, but the info otherwise is good.
I don't love chapter 11, especially when he says that sex in marriage should be as regular as bathing and eating.
Believes Proverbs was written by children, which yes, but what age of children?
Part 4 was the strongest portion of the book for me. I'd recommend.
I don't love chapter 11, especially when he says that sex in marriage should be as regular as bathing and eating.
Believes Proverbs was written by children, which yes, but what age of children?
Part 4 was the strongest portion of the book for me. I'd recommend.
May 2, 2022
Really good stuff and deserves more readers.
February 17, 2025
I found this book very helpful. Always pointing to Christ and scripture for our guidance. Each chapter has conversation questions at the end to do with your child. I would recommend this book!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews