The Marriage Book Newly Revised Edition

by Nicky Lee, Sila Lee, Nicky Gumbel (Foreword by)

Overview

Today we are facing a global crisis when it comes to families. Marriages are under more pressure than ever. Many children are growing up without experiencing the security of their parents' love and commitment—and as a result are finding it harder to receive God's unconditional love. There is an urgent need to invest in marriage and family life, for strong societies are built on strong families, and strong families are built on strong marriages.

The Marriage Book, developed by Nicky and Sila Lee of Alpha, has been revised and updated to address these needs and provides practical tools to help couples at every stage of their relationship. Along with the companion seven-session Marriage Course, this resource will help couples:

• Better understand each other's needs
• Communicate more effectively
• Grow closer by learning methods to resolve conflicts
• Recover from the way they may have hurt each other
• Recognize how their upbringing has affected their relationship
• Improve relationships with parents and in-laws

The Marriage Book is based on a Christian understanding of love and serves to strengthen marriages within the church while, at the same time, being accessible for all couples from any cultural background. Full of practical advice, it will help couples prepare, build, and even mend their marriages.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780310116677
Publisher:	HarperChristian Resources
Publication date:	03/08/2022
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	987,224
Product dimensions:	5.45(w) x 8.45(h) x 1.05(d)

About the Author

Nicky and Sila Lee are authors of The Marriage Course, The Pre-Marriage Course, and The Parenting Courses. They have four wonderful children and eight gorgeous grandchildren. They developed these courses while on the staff at Holy Trinity Brompton, London, UK. Over the last 35 years, they have spoken to thousands on the subject of marriage and family life.

Nicky and Sila Lee are authors of The Marriage Course, The Pre-Marriage Course, and The Parenting Courses. They have four wonderful children and eight gorgeous grandchildren. They developed these courses while on the staff at Holy Trinity Brompton, London, UK. Over the last 35 years, they have spoken to thousands on the subject of marriage and family life.

Table of Contents

Foreword vii

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction 1

Section 1 Strengthening Connection 13

1 Taking a Long View 15

2 Planning to Succeed 29

Section 2 The Art of Communication 43

3 How to Talk More Effectively 45

4 How to Listen More Effectively 59

Section 3 Love in Action 75

5 The Five Expressions of Love 77

6 Words and Actions 89

7 Time, Presents, and Touch 99

Section 4 Resolving Conflict 111

8 Appreciating Our Differences 113

9 Focusing on the Issue 135

10 Centering Our Lives 147

Section 5 The Power of Forgiveness 161

11 How Can Intimacy be Lost? 163

12 How Can Intimacy be Restored? 177

Section 6 Parents and In-Laws 197

13 How to Get Along With Our Parents and In-Laws 199

14 How to Leave Behind Parental Control 219

15 How to Address the Effects of Childhood Pain 233

Section 7 Good Sex 249

16 Sex-What is it All About? 251

17 Six Qualities for Great Lovers 261

18 Protecting Our Marriage 281

19 Keeping Sex Alive 291

Section 8 Epilogue 303

20 The Opportunity of a Lifetime 305

Appendix 1 Ready for Marriage? 313

Appendix 2 Engagement, Sex, and the Honeymoon 321

Appendix 3 Working Out a Budget 333

Appendix 4 Praying Together 341

Endnotes 349

Recommended Further Reading 359

Other Relationship Resources Available from Alpha International 361