Vertical Marriage: A Godward Preparation for Life Together

by Mike Rizzo, Anne Rizzo, Mike Bickle (Foreword)

Marriage is one of the most significant commitments any person can make in this life. Amongst the myriad of preparations you can make, what is most important for a lasting, healthy relationship? Understanding that marriage is not eternal—but its fruit is—Mike and Anne Rizzo, seasoned marriage counselors, turn our gaze Godward. A vertical focus, on the Creator of marriage, becomes the best foundation for building a beautiful, life-long bond with your future spouse. How does Scripture’s bridal paradigm play into your daily relationship, and what is the ultimate goal of your union? Practical and visionary, Vertical Marriage will help you evaluate your relationship, establish a marital vision, understand God’s unique design for your marriage and future, and set expectations for the nitty-gritty details of life together. For use with a marriage counselor or independently, Vertical Marriage is a premarital manual designed for engaged couples and those already married who desire to establish a powerful partnership of eternal significance. “Vertical Marriage is a weighty, no-holds-barred approach to get your marriage started on the right spiritual footing. Wise and spiritually penetrating . . . highly recommended, especially for serious believers.” —Gary Thomas, Author of Sacred Marriage and The Sacred Search “A powerful blueprint for a beautiful union that will help any couple, young or old, to revive their perspective on deep partnership and worship.” —Sara Hagerty, Author of Every Bitter Thing is Sweet “Mike and Anne have crafted a tremendous tool to help you navigate your courtship skillfully. Their wisdom will prepare you for a loving marriage filled with joy and hope—with Jesus at the center. I recommend this one highly!” —Bob Sorge, Author of Secrets of the Secret Place Mike and Anne Rizzo have been in pastoral ministry for over forty years. They carry a passion for personal mentoring, teaching, and seeing every marriage thrive, no matter the odds. They are also the authors of Longing for Embracing God’s Vision in Your Marriage . Other resources include an online school, video channel, and an extensive library of blog posts. Learn more at mikeandannerizzo.com.

Genres: Christianity, Christian

184 pages, Paperback

Published November 8, 2022

About the author

Mike and Anne Rizzo have been in pastoral ministry for over thirty-five years and currently serve as directors of Marriage and Family Ministries at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, Missouri. They carry a passion for personal mentoring, teaching, and raising up marriages that exalt the name of Jesus. Mike and Anne have three grown children and two grandchildren, and are the authors of "Longing for Eden: Embracing God's Vision in Your Marriage" and the premarital manual, "Vertical Marriage: A Godward Preparation for Life Together." Vertical Marriage is also an online course, available at mikerizzo.teachable.com

Reviews

[Carolyn Ehman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vertical Marriage by Mike and Anne Rizzo is a God-centered book designed to help grow your marriage in light of eternity. Each of the chapters include both beautiful theology and practical steps in growing closer to God through marriage. I love their personal anecdotes and vulnerable sharing of their lives and hearts with their readers. Mike and Anne are wonderful people whose mentoring is highly valuable. It is such a gift to capture some of their well-earned wisdom from their years of marriage and ministry in book form! Reading Vertical Marriage is like getting a heart to heart conversation from two veterans in the faith and in upholding the covenant of marriage which ultimately points to our eternal covenant with Christ the Bridegroom King. A must-read for anyone preparing for marriage or already in the beautiful throes of living out a holy covenant together!

[Anthony Cappoferri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I completely recommend this book. Mike and Anne Rizzo take over 30 years of mentoring couples and pour it into these pages. Rarely are you able to find a book that is as deeply spiritual as it is practical. This book offers both dynamics. Out of the myriad choices of books offering advice on a godly and fulfilling marriage (many of which I have read) this stands to be one of the best. I HIGHLY recommend it for both those who are currently married and especially for those who are engaged and/or in a serious relationship. It does a phenomenal job of cutting through to the key issues that necessitate a marriage that is marked by Heaven. Definitely check it out and go through it as a couple if you can. Investing heavily into your marriage or future marriage is one of the wisest things you can do. This book will help you do just that. Enjoy! And may you receive all that God has ordained for you and your spouse in His sacred institution called marriage.

[Johanna Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend Vertical Marriage! This book has great practicals, deep pondering questions to ask oneself and for discussions, and includes great insights from various other marriage and relationship books. This is definitely a bookshelf book. What I loved personally reading this book this time was gaining a better understanding of what covenant means (in marriage, in friendships, and with God). As a single, I have a desire to get married, to have my best friend, and to have my own family. However, I am learning that though these are my desires, because my life is not my own no longer, these are God-willing desires and is a gift from God if He chooses. I have a better grasp that marriage is not eternal and is a beautiful picture of God’s love and His desires for us. He is the only one that can truly satisfy. He is the one that gives the greatest pleasure. Everything else is a gift. As a believer, understanding this truth helps me to keep my eyes focused on the Lord, do my part and trust His leadership and timing. I have had the privilege of getting to know Mike and Anne personally, and they are quality people. They are loving, kind, humorous, personable, knowledgeable and most importantly, genuinely strive to love the Lord with their all and to encourage people to do the same. I highly recommend inviting them to your community and for online coaching. Their presence is a joy to be around and they are a safe place. I have great respect for them and they are very much loved in our community.

[Tasha Kossler · Rating 5 out of 5]

With our current culture defining what marriage should look like, Vertical Marriage comes as a breath of fresh air. Mike and Anne Rizzo lay out a biblical foundation for couples to not only have practical tools for a lasting marriage but vision to love the Lord in a greater capacity together. This book is an invaluable resource for all couples. I highly recommend this book to anyone serious about entering marriage or in need of fresh vision and encouragement on their journey in marriage.