Going All the Way: Preparing for a Marriage That Goes the Distance [Hardcover]

Craig Groeschel (Author)

Book Description

Release date: October 2, 2007

“Going all the way” used to mean getting what you want from the opposite sex now…and paying for it later.

It’s time to redefine.

Smart advice for a new generation about love, sex, and happily ever after.

You’ve seen marriages fail time and again. Even relationships you thought were bullet proof don’t last. Once promising couples dissolve in the acid of selfishness, conflict, or unfaithfulness… or fade away to a cold, gray lovelessness. No wonder that for our generation, “getting what you want” is often a substitute for love, and disillusionment about marriage is the new normal.

So what do you do if you want a marriage that doesn’t just survive, but thrives? That doesn’t just begin romantically but ends magnificently? Answer: You do something different.

Whether you’re thinking ahead to marriage, are about to be wed, or have been married for a while and want to make changes, this book can help. Going All the Way will guide you through the choices and commitments you need to make now in order to build a strong and vibrant relationship that will go the distance. In a world where going all the way means putting yourself first, author Craig Groeschel will show you how, by putting God first, you can build a soul-enriching, lifelong relationship.

With practical, candid discussions about sex, first dates, integrity, forgiveness, and communication, Craig will help you prepare for and experience a relationship that gives fresh, hope-filled meaning to “going all the way” with the one you love.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Craig Groeschel’s practical book should be a mandatory read for anyone who wants to be happily married someday.  It is a rare author who can lead you into some very challenging places and have you laughing out loud while he does it.” 
Shaunti Feldhahn, nationally syndicated columnist and best-selling author of For Women Only

“Going All the Way clearly illustrates how Jesus Christ is truly the center of every enduring and endearing marriage. I am excited to see this book get published.”
Pastor Mark Driscoll, founder of Mars Hill Church, Seattle

“Whether you are married or single, Going All the Way promises to show you what it takes to succeed in the most important human relationship you can ever be a part of. This book has the potential to not only change the way you view marriage, but also the way our culture treats it.”
Ed Young, Senior Pastor, Fellowship Church, and author of The Creative Marriage

“If you're looking for ‘The One,’ this book will launch you in the right direction. With wit and wisdom, Craig Groeschel will guide you into a gold mine of relational riches.”
Shannon Ethridge, best-selling author of the Every Woman's Battle series and Completely His

“Craig shares real life advice that is practical and biblically based, preparing you for a marriage that will not just survive, but thrive. This book should make it on your reading list.”
Rick Warren, Pastor of Saddleback Church and author of The Purpose Driven Life

“Craig Groeschel says it like it is. You'll be challenged and encouraged by his honesty and humor.”  
Mark Batterson, Lead Pastor, National Community Church, and author of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day

“Craig Groeschel is a visionary who is always scanning the horizon to meet needs that most of us have not even begun to envision.  His leadership capacity has barely been tapped.”
Dr. Samuel R. Chand, author of Failure: The Womb of Success and Futuring: Leading Your Church Into Tomorrow

“Craig Groeschel truly goes all the way in this entertaining yet poignantly insightful book on preparing for marriage. He digs deep, posing the questions we all have but are afraid to ask, and then answers them–with profound wisdom.”
Bishop Eddie L. Long, Senior Pastor, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and author of It’s Your Time

“In Going All the Way, Craig boldly dives into our culture's many illusions of love and discovers what real love is.”
 Dave Gibbons, Lead Pastor of NewSong

“Craig Groeschel is a man that practices what he preaches. I am always excited to pick up his latest book.”
Craig Gross, founder of xxxchurch.com

“Craig fully understands our generation's struggles and fears about making love last and provides practical, hope-filled guidance for imperfect people.”
John Burke, pastor and author of No Perfect People Allowed

About the Author

Craig Groeschel is the founder and senior pastor of LifeChurch.tv, one of America’s first multi-campus churches. Since its inception in 1996, LifeChurch.tv has grown to one of the nation’s largest congregations, with more than 20,000 attending one of its forty-five weekly worship experiences at ten locations. Craig is the author of two previous books, Chazown and Confessions of a Pastor, and he has appeared on such programs as The Today Show, Weekend Today, and NBC Nightly News. He and his wife, Amy, live near Edmond, Oklahoma, with their six children. Craig and Amy’s passion is to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Books (October 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590529383
• ISBN-13: 978-1590529386
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #161,654 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Craig Groeschel is the founding and senior pastor of LifeChurch.tv. Meeting in multiple locations around the United States, and globally at Church Online, LifeChurch.tv is known for the innovative use of technology to spread the Gospel.

With a passion for serving the Church and partnering to reach people for Christ, LifeChurch.tv develops and shares resources and applications with churches worldwide.

Craig, his wife, Amy, and their six children live in the Edmond, Oklahoma area where LifeChurch.tv began in 1996. He speaks at conferences worldwide and has written several books, including his recent release: The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living As If He Doesn't Exist.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Tells it like it is December 12, 2007

By Barbara Warren

Format:Hardcover

I'm from an older generation, so the title really caught my attention. A book about what? Actually the book is not just about sex, although Craig Groeschel says a lot about it, all of it good. It's about finding the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. He presents a lot of excellent advice without being preachy or stuffy, like taking it slow, getting acquainted, taking time to really know each other He has a fresh engaging way of addressing a topic that will have the reader laughing while getting the message. This is his third book, and let me tell you, the man can write. Should be mandatory reading for every teenager. Highly recommended.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Going all the way is fun March 17, 2008

By Stefani A. Klabunde

Format:Hardcover

This past month, Going All The Way: preparing for a marriage that goes the distance, finally made it off the shelf and into the "read me" pile. Stefani and I got this book as a gift and agreed to blog about it - then life went a little crazy. But, it made it off and was worth the read.If you are looking to date, are dating, are thinking about marriage, or are in the midst of making wedding plans - I recommend you read this book. Also, if you work in pre-marital counseling or with young married couples - read this book.

Craig Groeschel, founder and pastor of LifeChurch.tv, doesn't share research data or psychological principles for building strong marriages. Instead, his approach for fostering committed, long-lasting marriages come through his real life experiences - full of messy relationships, and a journey that led him to meet his "One" - entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Through self study he learned the importance of developing a relationship with his "One" first, then working to find his "Two".

This August, Stefani and I will be married 13 years. Some of you are probably thinking, "this isn't exactly the time to be reading a book preparing you for marriage." Truthfully, it was refreshing to read this book - seeing in print many of the "habits" (chp.14), we have put into practice throughout our relationship. It was also a great reminder that passion and pursuit doesn't stop once you get married - passion and pursuit are a vital part of the marriage covenant that "goes all the way."

Thanks to Craig Groeschel for writing this book from his life story - challenging us to live differently than what society calls "normal"

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read! November 4, 2007

By Chris C.

Format:Hardcover

Fantastic book! Read it in 2 days, couldn't put it down! Craig does an amazing job of guiding anyone (single, dating, engaged, or married) down the path to a God-centered relationship that goes "all the way" in every way. It's down-to-earth, honest, funny, challenging and founded in Biblical truths. If you've read books like 'Boy Meets Girl' you'll be delighted by what Craig has to share. A must read!