Growthtrac Community

[sydney]

Looking for marriage enrichment book suggestions... Anyone?What are your favorites?

[kelly]

Great question! My Jason and I have "Power of a Praying Wife" and "Power of a Praying Husband", also "The Excellent Wife" and "The Christian Husband". We also do our nightly devotionals from "Nite Light".

The "Praying..." books really give insight on how to pray for your wife/ husband in ways they could never express to you, as well as how to pray for yourself to become a better spouse. "The Excellent Wife" and "Christian Husband" books clearly outline what our call as husband and wife are. It tells what our scriptural duties are according to God's will. The "Nite Light Couples Devotional" is so far the best devotional I have ever gotten my hands on! It has sparked many productive conversations between Jason and I.

Happy book hunting! Let me know what you find helpful...

YSIC, Kelly. :inlove:

[chelle35]

My favorite that I am reading the second time around is "For Better or For Best"

[SAM]

I love the NiteLight Devotional as well. It is by far the best one I have come across. It is written by the Dobsons.

[danielle]

I like Tender Warrior (Stu Weber) & A Marriage After God's Own Heart. (David Clarke).

[SAM]

There is another one by John Gottman, "Seven Principles of Making Marriage Work." Many exercises to do together. This is a psychologist who has worked with married couples for over 30 years. His team is able to tell with 90% accuracy whether a couple will divorce or not.

[danielle]

Kelly,
I've been wondering how "The Christian Husband" was. Question, what do you personally feel are the roles of a husband & wife according to scripture? I've been getting alot of flack lately about this whole "spiritual leader" role for the husband on another site that I post to.

[SAM]

Danielle,
I have to bug Webacus later to send you some information on the "leadership role" of a husband. I read a very good article on this subject that he should have access to.

I think I have stated this before, but I feel God calls the man to be the head of the home, but not always the "spiritual leader". In 1 Corinthians 11:3 - the term "head" is understood to refer to the concept of "honor". So as Christ honored God, man is to honor Christ and woman is to honor her husband. But I don't see where "spiritual leadership" is mentioned here.

I know from my own experience, He has called me to lead at various times in my marriage. While I always go to my husband for discussion and prayer (the honor part) there are times where God has said, "SAM, you need to to help me change your husband's heart and mind on this issue." I was also a believer for 2 years before my husband became one.


Are you referring to Ephesians 5:22-33?
Again, I do not see reference to "spiritual leadership" here.
There is always a lot of discussion on this in the Christian community because it also encompasses the word "submission". That brings up another discussion in and of itself.

I'll get back with you later on that article. It was excellent!

[danielle]

Sam:
Ok, I'd be interested in seeing that article. I'm not referring to any verse in particular, just curious at to what Kelly's recommended book "The Christian Husband" says about this subject.

In a recent sermon, my pastor referenced Genesis--outlining Adam's failure in fulfilling the role of leading.

[SAM]

Interesting concept on Adam's failure to lead. I can see where that would come into play.

[danielle]

Hi Sam:
Yes, it is an interesting concept. The pastor preached from Genesis 3, and stated that a pattern of headship was established in the Garden of Eden. Adam was made first, and he represented all of humanity. Eve was taken from Adam's side to be his helper. God came to Adam first when they sinned. Adam did not protect Eve--he allowed her to pick of the fruit, talk to the serpent, eat of the fruit & give some to him to eat. Eve was doing the leading & Adam the following. It was backwards.

Then in Ephesians 5, he points out that as husbands, men are to be sacrificial lovers, and servant-lovers. It's ok to have an "Adam moment" as a wife, or an "Eve moment" as a husband, but this shouldn't be the norm.

[Jim]

Lots of marriage book ideas here, on Growthtrac!

Growthtrac Books!

[Grace]

My husband found a greater understanding of eachother after reading the book ;
"The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman.
It opened our eyes to the fact that most of our resentment toward eachother was so uncalled for. We were loving eachother, just not in the most constructive way. :inlove:
Grace

[kelly]

Question, what do you personally feel are the roles of a husband & wife according to scripture?

I just peeked in to see what was going on...read your post and want to respond. I will speak to Jason about it and get back to you

[Janine]

Sometimes what Paul had to say about Eve being the first who sinned, Eve being deceived, etc., makes me want to **** an eyebrow and reply "Sure, she was deceived, but Adam came into it with a cool head, knowing what was up, and deliberately walked into rebellion... " :angry:

Sounds like a premise for a love story, that he chose to sin because he couldn't bear for her to be out there in the cold without him... the schmuck.

Seriously, there are all sorts of elements of honor and possibly even authority coming out of the "husband" position, just like there are elements of honor, authority, leadership in a church body when you're talking about elders/presbyters/bishops/pastors... but in neither case does that degenerate into either the husband or the church leader having spiritual authority over you.

That is, no one is in between you and God the Father. No one but the Christ interceding and the Spirit groaning & guaranteeing... which are still all Deity.

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We like these enough to give them out for wedding presents: Dobson's "What Wives Wish Their Husbands Knew About Women"; "His Needs Her Needs" (by Smalley & Trent, I think); and "Sex Begins In The Kitchen" (I've forgotten the author on that one...)