For Better, For Worse by Brother Mark Vincent
$16.50 at Thousand Oaks Christadelphian Library
$21.50 at Detroit Christadelphian Book Supply
Recommended by Ruth Hensley “I found it to be a well-written, easy to read and thought-provoking book and have recommended it to friends in many stages of life- single, dating, and married!”
This book provides a scriptural, practical, and insightful examination of all stages of a relationship: from sound Biblical guidance for choosing “the right one,” to through the early years of marriage, raising a family, facing hardships, to growing old together. Mark Vincent intersperses chapters of general principles and advice with case studies of Biblical couples and lessons we can learn from their lives and relationships.
Family Life in the Lord – by Bro. Don and Sis. Ellen Styles
$13.50 at Thousand Oaks Christadelphian Library
$16.95 at Detroit Christadelphian Book Supply
Recommended by Allen Laban
A comprehensive collection of articles designed to improve the quality of family life, to the honour and glory of God.
The articles are written by a range of brethren and sisters, and include the wisdom from many different generations of Christadelphians. Included among the sixty contributions are some reflective poems.
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Steps to True Marriage – Bro. Harry Tennant
Sacred Marriage– by Gary Thomas
Recommended by Ben & Naomi Gallagher & Jennifer Russell & Sara Ramirez
Marriage wasn’t just designed to make us happy – it was designed to change us into the type of people God wants us to be. Gary Thomas gives the reader no illusions about the challenges that come along with marriage, but he also argues that it’s exactly these trials that make marriage such a worthwhile endeavour. Covering topics ranging from relationship history, intimacy, forgiveness, to selfishness, The Sacred Marriage is a refreshing look into the covenant of marriage. Contains occasional references to the trinity and other doctrinal issues.
Love that Lasts – by Jefferson and Alyssa Bethke
Recommended by Naomi Gallagher
This book is written by a couple, with the husband and wife taking it in turn to write a chapter about their life struggles and experiences whilst addressing God’s plan for us. Some of the topics addressed are: pornography, dating, being engaged and self-esteem. They explore what the world is saying about dating and marriage and show that God’s way is better. This is an easy read with takeaway points from each chapter. There are a few references to the trinity but overall a very helpful, relevant and up to date resource.
Love is Never Enough – by Aaron T. Beck, M.D.
Recommended by Max and Linda Wickham
This book is not a spiritual book, it’s a practical one based on empirical psychological resource, but its conclusions turn out to be the same ones that are taught in the Bible. It helps identify what are some of the most common issues in marriages, and how it’s possible to overcome them.
The Sacred Search – Gary Thomas
Suggested by Sara Ramirez, although not personally read to date.
In the same way that Sacred Marriage suggests that marriage is not designed to make us happy, but to teach us about holiness, The Sacred Search suggests to young people that it is not who you marry that is important, but why you marry. Being in love isn’t a good enough reason to get married and dating is not about finding your soul mate. It is about serving the one who loves you most (God) and finding someone who will walk with you on your spiritual journey.
Recommended, But Not Read by Rebekah Eustis, (I have listened to podcast interviews with the author on Focus on the Family)
There is nothing more powerful on earth than the forces of love, sex and romance. In fact, relationships are a matter of life-and-death importance.
So how can you train today for the relationship you want tomorrow? In Swipe Right, Levi Lusko shares with raw honesty from his own life experiences and God’s word how to:
- regret proof your marriage bed and your death bed
- resist settling for instant pleasure by discovering what your heart really longs for
- learn how to avoid and treat sexual scars by careful living today
- turn the clumsy “sex talk” with your child into dialogue that leads to wise choices
- transform a stagnant marriage by trading predictable nearness for mind-blowing intimacy
Teaching True Love to a Sex-at-13 Generation – Eric and Leslie Ludy
Recommended by Jeff and Sara Ramirez and Jennifer Russell
A guide for parents giving perspective on what teens and preteens are dealing with in the culture around them and offering practical advice for how to give them a vision of something better. This book goes beyond abstinence commitments and purity pep talks to a deeper understanding that parents need to fully commit their children’s lives to God and teach them how to allow God to write their love story. It offers a shift in thinking that can provide the training ground for future marriage success.
So You’re About to Be a Teenager – Dennis & Barbara Rainey with Samuel Rainey and Rebecca Rainey
Suggested by Sara Ramirez, although has not been personally read to date. Recommended by Jennifer Russell.
This book, written directly to preteens, offers Godly advice on friends, love, sex, faith, and other life issues. It could be used in conjunction with Passport 2 Purity or stand alone.
Aggressive Girls, Clueless Boys: by Dennis Rainey
Suggested by Jennifer Russell, and by the author of Passport 2 Purity.
This offers a solution to this unsettling cultural trend. Through seven guided “Talk About It” conversations, what-if scenarios, and honest responses to questions from real-life parents, Dennis Rainey offers a detailed guide on teaching your adolescent son to set boundaries and pursue the right kind of girl.
It’s time for straight talk with your son! Give him the courage to stand strong in a world enticing him to throw away his sexual purity.7 Conversations you must have with your son and 7 questions you should ask your daughter.
When God Writes Your Love Story – Eric and Leslie Ludy
Suggested by Sara Ramirez, as recommended in Teaching True Love to a Sex at-13 Generation, although has not been personally read to date.
Written for young people, this book presents a powerful challenge for them to reject the culture around them and live a set-apart life, dedicated wholly to God. The book first shows them how beautiful love can be, if they allow God to write their love story and then it teaches them how to do it.
Authentic Beauty – Leslie Ludy
Suggested by Sara Ramirez, as recommended in Teaching True Love to a Sex at- 13 Generation, although has not been personally read to date.
This book is a guide for young women to understand the cultural erosion of true femininity and how to revive it. It teaches them, using scripture and practical advice, what it means to be set apart for God, why it is important, and how it affects male-female relationships.
God’s Gift to Women – Eric Ludy
Suggested by Sara Ramirez, as recommended in Teaching True Love to a Sex at-13 Generation, although has not been personally read to date.
Written for young men, this book challenges them to forsake modern male mediocrity for Christ-built manhood that will capture the heart of a Godly woman.
Every Man’s Battle: by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker
The challenge every man faces…the fight every man can win!
From movies and television, to print media and the Internet, men are constantly faced with the assault of sensual images. It is impossible to avoid such temptations… but, thankfully, not impossible to confront them and gain victory over them!
Millions have found Every Man’s Battle the single greatest resource for overcoming the struggle and remaining strong in the face of temptation. With extensive updates for a new generation, this phenomenal bestseller shares the stories of dozens who have escaped the trap of sexual immorality and presents a practical, detailed plan for any man who desires sexual integrity.
Every Young Man’s Battle: by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker with Mike Yorkey
Strategies for Victory in the Real World of Sexual Temptation
From the television to the Internet, print media to videos, men are constantly faced with the assault of sensual images. It is impossible to avoid such temptations…but, thankfully, not impossible to rise above them.
Shattering the perception that men are unable to control their thought lives and roving eyes, Every Man’s Battle shares the stories of dozens who have escaped the trap of sexual immorality and presents a practical, detailed plan for any man who desires sexual purity-perfect for men who have fallen in the past, those who want to remain strong today, and all who want to overcome temptation in the future. For newer versions workbook is included.
Changing For Good – by James O Prochaka
Suggested and partially read by Naomi Gallagher
Review from Library Journal – From deep within the ore, great changes must be made to reveal the hidden diamond. Similar hard work is just as essential in changing human behavior, especially addictive behavior, according to the authors. Changing for Good distinguishes itself from the many other self-help materials available by espousing a sound therapeutic approach based on the authors’ years of professional work with people in all sorts of damaging behavioral patterns, including smoking, overeating, alcohol abuse, and toxic relationships. The six steps to change, the social processes one must understand while changing, and the criteria used to measure success will prove useful to all self-helpers. Reader David Brand presents the text clearly and succinctly.
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
by Charles Duhigg
Partly Read – Naomi Gallagher
This book addresses why habits exist and how they can be changed. It gives real life examples and explains how new, healthy habits can be implemented and the best way to do this.
Codependent No More – Melody Beattie
Recommended by Ben Gallagher
It can be easy to get so wrapped up in any relationship – be it dating, friendship, or family – that you get lost. True love of God and freedom, however, can only come if we put Him first and care for ourselves as well. This book is about how someone can lose themselves during the process of helping someone else and the understanding that no one can change another person. The book gives life stories, personal reflections and exercises.
Every Woman’s Battle: by Shannon Ethridge and Stpehen Arterburn
When does an affair begin? Not with the first forbidden touch…but with the first forbidden thought. Unexpectedly, you find yourself enjoying a powerful emotional bond with another man. You feel like you matter to someone again. And the door you thought was locked so firmly–the door to sexual infidelity–is suddenly a jar.The only way women can survive the intense struggle for sexual integrity is by guarding not just your body, but your mind and heart as well. Every Woman’s Battle can help you learn to do that. Using real-life stories and examples from her own struggle, Shannon Ethridge helps women like you–whether married, engaged, or planning to marry someday. Workbook included in newer versions.
Every Young Woman’s Battle: by Shannon Ethridge and Stephen Arterburn
Guys Aren’t the Only Ones Fighting a Battle for Purity
The world you live in promotes sex as the answer to just about everything. The pressure to go along with the crowd is greater than ever before, and it’s easy to compromise in little ways that are a lot more harmful than they seem. You and your friends may become caught up in destructive relationships or sexual activities without even knowing how you got there. You just want to be normal-to fit in, to be liked, to look attractive to the opposite sex. But are you paying too high a price?
This counterpart to the award-winning Every Young Man’s Battle can help you:
learn how the sexual battle begins in your heart and mind understand your hunger for attention from guys recognize and avoid the potential pitfalls awaiting young women on the journey toward adulthood and possibly marriage find out how the media, novels, fashion, internet chat rooms, and body and beauty obsessions influence your sexual choices-and what you can do about it guard your mind, heart, and body against sexual and emotional compromise
develop a deeper, more satisfying level of intimacy with God . Whether you have so far protected yourself emotionally and sexually, feel that you’ve been robbed of your purity, or have given in to temptation in some way, this book can help you achieve or reclaim sexual integrity. It can also guide you through the temptations and pressures of young adulthood while demonstrating how you can live your life to the fullest-without regrets. Includes a comprehensive workbook for individual or group study.