General Marriage:

This Momentary Marriage, by John Piper. Vintage John Piper – dense, challenging, and theologically rich. It takes some time to read any chapter in the book because each page and chapter are so full of challenging truths.

The Meaning of Marriage, by Timothy & Kathy Keller. Great for married, single, dating and engaged. Solid, Christ-centered, challenging. You can also find a small group video/workbook curriculum.

Marriage, by Paul David Tripp. Great book for dating, engaged, marrieds written by a trusted and seasoned counselor and pastor.

You and Me Forever, by Francis Chan. This book by Francis & Lisa Chan is more about the Christian Life and anticipating the ‘forever’ rather than marriage. Provides an excellent perspective on the greater purpose of marriage.

The Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman. Classic book on knowing yourself, your spouse, and communicating well your love for one another.

Cherish: The One Word That Changes Everything for Your Marriage, by Gary Thomas. Great read that will challenge every married couple, whether married for one week or 50 years!

Sacred Marriage, by Gary Thomas. What if God designed marriage to make us holy, not happy? Highly recommended and challenging for any couple. This book seems to get better the longer you’ve been married.

Fun Loving You, by Ted Cunningham. Really fun book, focuses on the importance of dating your spouse and making them a priority. Ecclesiastes 9:9 is the key text for this book.

A Lasting Promise: The Christian Guide to Fighting for Your Marriage, by Scott Stanley. Great read for newly married couples on learning how to communicate and conflict effectively. Also covers expectations, commitment and much more.

The Mingling of Souls, by Matt Chandler. Great book on marriage that unpacks what God says about relationships and marriage in the Song of Solomon.

The Marriage Builder: Creating True Oneness to Transform Your Marriage, by Larry Crabb. Written by a trusted professional Biblical counselor, this time-tested classic has proven helpful for countless couples.

Married Devotionals:

Happily Ever After: Finding Grace in the Messes of Marriage, by Desiring God- various authors including Francis Chan and John Piper.

The Meaning of Marriage: A Couple's Devotional: A Year of Daily Devotions, by Tim and Kathy Keller. Highly recommended. A wonderful daily devotional from a very remarkable pastor and his wife.

Devotions for a Sacred Marriage: A Year of Weekly Devotions for Couples, by Gary Thomas (based on his book by the same name).

Two As One, Wife in Pursuit, Husband in Pursuit, by Ryan & Selena Frederick of Fierce Marriage. 3 different devotionals for couples.

Premarried:

· Getting Ready for Marriage by Burns and Childs. Some of our pastors utilize this resource for helping engaged couples prepare for marriage.

· Preparing for Marriage by John Piper. Helps couples understand the Biblical foundations and priorities for a marriage that glorifies God.

Before You Say I Do by H. Norman Wright, Wes Roberts. This is an oldie but a goodie. Timeless wisdom for engaged couples to think Biblically about the future. ·

Ready or Knot?: 12 Conversations Every Couple Needs to Have before Marriage, by Scott Kedersha. This is also a video based Bible Study available on RightNow media. (see video resources). Commonly used by our pastoral staff for premarriage purposes.

· 101 Questions to Ask Before You Get Engaged by H. Norman Wright. A simple resource to help you have great important conversations before you get engaged.

· Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts: Seven Questions to Ask Before and After You Marry by Les & Leslie Parrott. A great resource for engaged couples and other couples too!

· His Needs, Her Needs: Building an Affair-Proof Marriage by Dr Willard F. Harley. Nobody sets out planning for their marriage to fail. This book shows the subtle ways our hearts can stray from one another over time if we are not careful and prayerful. A sobering read for engaged couples.

· If you’re planning a wedding, look no further than A Christ-Centered Wedding, by Catherine Strode Parks. Helps get the focus in the right place.

For the Blended/Step Family:

The Smart Stepfamily, by Ron Deal. Best book we know of for blended/step families. Ron Deal loves Jesus, and has some real wisdom regarding blended families. Great library of books for couples, moms, and dads.

· For blended families, also check out Family Life’s website, here.

Expecting/New Parents:

For Better or For Kids: A Vow to Love Your Spouse with Kids in the House, by Ruth & Patrick Schwenk. Helps couples strengthen their marriage when the tsunami of children enter their world.

The New Dad’s Playbook, by Benjamin Watson. For the new dads out there. This helps a new dad learn what his wife is going through, what to expect, and how he can best serve his wife and baby.

Becoming a Dad: A Spiritual, Emotional, and Practical Guide Our Discipleship Pastor Cole Wilkins swears by this book written by a Biblical counselor was immensely helpful to him when he first learned his wife was expecting their first child.