PRODUCT INTELLIGENCE

/

Real-life husband

and wife team

reviews guides to

help newlyweds

develop marriages

grounded in Christ.

Answers

for Brides

and

Grooms

The Smart Groom’s Answer Guide
Focus on the Family counselors / Tyndale
Subject: Christian Living; Love & Marriage
p $13.99 ISBN: 9781589974678

>>> Marriage is the potting soil where the Christian life either grows or withers, and judging from its current state, the testimony of a healthy marriage is more important than ever. A series of short essays by 11 Christian counselors covers nearly all the topics, from addressing communication and personality differences to money, in-laws, and sex. The thread running through them is the need for the husband to develop and practice ways to love his wife as the Scriptures define it, instead of to assume this is already going on.

Advice here seems useful and on key, though delivered more as relational strategies or from a solutions-oriented perspective than from a couple’s common grounding in sChrist. Couples tend to resolve marital problems better when they work together, not just for their peace, but to follow Him. Young marrieds still learning the ropes, nonetheless, will benefit from identifying the reasons for sore areas and learning ways to address them. And although written for recent newlyweds, couples that have tied the knot many years ago will also benefit from reminders of what makes marriages work —Gerald Wisz

The Savvy Bride’s Answer Guide
Focus on the Family counselors / Tyndale
Subject: Christian Living; Love & Marriage
p $13.99 ISBN: 9781589974685

>>> This compilation from Focus on the Family contributors addresses just about every situation newlyweds will encounter in their first years of marriage. The chapters are short, often setting a “he said/she said” scenario followed by concrete suggestions to sift through and reveal the source of conflict. Each chapter ends with two thought-provoking, strictly personal questions that challenge the reader to dig deep for answers and to initiate actions that will help her deal with the situation discussed.

Most newly married Christian women will have questions about a wife’s role in marriage. This book offers biblically sound advice as they seek answers to those questions. Topics include submission, disagreements about children and money, sex and romance, the in-laws, housework, and other issues where learning to cohabit peacefully can, and often does, cause tension.

Along with its companion volume for grooms, this book can initiate some eye-opening discussion among both newlywed and soon-to-be newlywed couples. It can be used beneficially by individuals, couples, or in a variety of group settings. —Elizabeth Wisz

44 CBA Retailers+Resources | 03.08

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