Countdown for Couples: Preparing for the Adventure of Marriage (Focus on the Family Books) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Susan Mathis (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Research and common sense indicate that engaged couples will eventually have stronger, more successful marriages if they get good premarital counseling. Many churches now require such counseling, yet many Christian couples still enter marriage without that preparation. Countdown for Couples will fill that void. It will help couples learn about each other, and themselves individually, as well as their relational skills and compatibility as a couple.

From the Back Cover

Marriage is an adventure—are you ready?

Research and common sense indicate that engaged couples will have stronger, more successful marriages if they participate in premarital counseling. Yet with all the planning that goes into a wedding, this important preparation can often be overlooked.

Authors Dale and Susan Mathis work with couples in premarital counseling. They know the issues of greatest interest and importance to engaged couples, and their counsel has been tested and proved effective. Countdown for Couples delivers this insight in an easy-to-use format and tackles important questions, such as:

• Are you ready for a lifelong commitment?
• What should you expect in your marriage?
• How do you resolve an argument?
• How do you navigate your financial life?
• Why is family such a challenge?

Interesting sidebars from other marriage experts discuss the spiritual, emotional, relational, and physical intricacies of being married and provide extensive resources for continued marital education and growth. Before you enter the adventure of marriage, open the map and see where you’re going.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (January 3, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589974859
• ISBN-13: 978-1589974852
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #130,569 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Engaged Couples, June 30, 2008

By	Joey "Joey" (Nebraska) - See all my reviews

I reviewed this book for a prospective small group of engaged couples at our church. I felt this book would be great for a group of Christian couples looking to get married as it addresses very practical and REAL issues of marriage. The questions for the couple at the end of each chapter are great and I love that there are "lighter" questions that are fun--which is what every marriage needs!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The BEST resource for engaged couples, August 1, 2008

By	C. Gipson - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've read a number of marriage, and pre-marriage resources, both for my job and for my own personal life. This book really covers it all--it talks about the really important issues like communication, finances, religion...but it also has a lot of fun stuff too. The discussion questions provided some great ideas for getting to know my fiance' a lot better.
Susan and Dale write in an easy-to-read style that's full of their own personal experiences.
I would highly recommend this book to any couple who is engaged or thinking about getting engaged.
Personally, I have been married now for only two and a half months. I know there's a lot more ahead of me, but I've already seen how preparation for marriage--including reading this book with my fiance--has made our first days of married life easier to handle.