Marriage ROCKS for Christian Couples [Paperback]

Harold L. Arnold Jr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 15, 2009

Evidence suggests that marriage may be losing to more secular values. African Americans, in particular, have one of the lowest marriage rates in the country, and their divorce rate is among the highest. In response to the critical condition of black marriages, Dr. Harold Arnold offers a model in Marriage ROCKS for Christian Couples.

With the Marriage ROCKS method, Arnold challenges couples to establish and strengthen their relationship on a rock-solid foundation of:


*Redemption -- the rock of grace
*Offering -- the rock of sacrifice
*Covenant -- the rock of boundaries
*Knowledge -- the rock of power
*Sacred space -- the rock of worship

Dr. Arnold intricately weaves practical stories of married African-American couples with vignettes of well-known biblical heroes to present a five-part blueprint for guiding your marriage to fulfill God s purposes for it.

The revolutionary book leads couples at all levels of relational intimacy on a journey to discover how marriage (1) develops the human capacity to experience the fullness of God's love and (2) becomes a ministry through which to share God's love with others.

Designed for use by individual couples, with small groups, or in counseling contexts, this practical book includes biblical study, discussion questions, and action steps. A separate Leader s Guide is also available.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Marriage ROCKS brings a much needed, relaxed, hopeful, encouraging, and transformative teaching style addressing central issues impacting African Americans. Christian women and men in dating, engaged, or marital relationships will find sensitive, open guidance through the mystery of the concepts of partnership and covenant taking them into the joy that God has in store for each of them, their marriages, and their communities. --Dr. Lorraine Blackman, Associate Professor, Indiana University, School of Social work

Marriage ROCKS for Christian Couples is an extraordinary resource. If implemented by couples and leaders, Arnold's biblically sound method and strategy for married couples could revolutionize the way we approach ministry to couples and families. All Christian couples who work through this book will be blessed tremendously by his meticulous biblical reflections and insightful wisdom on married life, from sexuality to finances and parenting. --Dr. Johnny B. Hill, Assistant Professor of Theology, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and author of Multidimensional Ministry for Today's Black Families

Married couples are on the endangered species list. Dr. Harold Arnold's expertise and passion are focused on preserving and strengthening African American marriages. His years of helping couples is reflected in this powerful Marriage ROCKS "journey" which has couples interacting and praying about topics that will enrich their personal and intimate lives together. But it's not just about you! He goes on to teach and challenge couples how to use their marriages as a powerful tool for sharing Christ with all who live in their communities. Every couple who wants to grow their relationship with their spouse and with Christ will benefit from this interactive marriage experience. --Bruce R. McCracken, Ph.D., founder and president, House on the Rock Family Ministries, Mt. Joy, Pennsylvania

AMEN! Harold Arnold boldly imparts the ageless principles, fresh insights and practical skills that can and will revitalize African American marriages in the home ... and the black community. While aimed at African American relationships, Marriage ROCKS has something for all couples, 'red, brown, yellow, black or white'. This white guy from the Northwest is standing up from the pew shouting, 'Preach It!' --K. Jason Krafsky - author of Before "I Do"-Preparing for the Full Marriage Experience

About the Author

Harold L. Arnold Jr. holds a PhD in social and organizational psychology from Temple University and a master s degree in marriage and family therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary. He is president and founder of Discovering Family International, an organization that promotes the virtues and values of family life. A sought after speaker and workshop leader, Dr. Arnold is also creator of the Relationship ROCKS modelTM, a program for building equity in personal relationships. A member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and Black African-American Christian Counselors, Dr. Arnold serves as a minister and counselor for a large multi-cultural church in Philadelphia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Judson Pr; 1 edition (December 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0817015663
• ISBN-13: 978-0817015664
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,374,879 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Harold L. Arnold, Jr., founder of Discovering Family International, is a social and organizational psychologist who specializes in developing family-focused culture in homes, places of worship, and business settings. Using his own model for relationship-faith integration, Relationship ROCKS, Dr. Arnold challenges audiences to become better stewards of all the relationships to which God holds them accountable.

With his holistic view of relationships that extends from the bedroom to the boardroom, Dr. Arnold demonstrates how successful homes, religious organizations, community groups, and businesses cultivate relationships and leaders defined by an organic sense of shared identity. Armed with biblical principles, psychological insights, and entertaining stories, Dr. Arnold guides his audiences on a journey to discover faith and purpose through committed relationships.

In addition to his commitment to relationship education, Dr. Arnold also works with organizations to develop customized family-based programming, family outreach initiatives, and relationship counseling services.

With all of his accomplishments, Dr. Arnold is most proud of his marriage of more than twenty years to his college sweetheart, Dalia, and their two wonderful children, Quilan and Kyrsten. The Arnold family resides in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.

BIOGRAPHY

Education: Dr. Arnold earned doctorate and Master's degrees from Temple University in Social and Organizational Psychology. He also holds a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary and a Master's in Systems Engineering from University Maryland College Park. Dr. Arnold received his undergraduate degree from Howard University.

Service: Dr. Arnold served on the editorial board of the Journal of Social Issues, as Director of Christian Education for a large multicultural ministry, and as adjunct faculty for a Christian university in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. He is also a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and the African American Black Christian Counselors.

Writer: Dr. Arnold contributes articles to Focus on the Family's "Marriage and Relationships" online section.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Marriage Rocks!, November 12, 2011

By 

AJFAMILY - See all my reviews

This review is from: Marriage ROCKS for Christian Couples (Paperback)

This book is great. I bought it after attending one of Dr Harold's seminars, and what a great investment! This book actually came into our lives at a time when we really needed the wisdom of God to recover from a bad place in our marriage. We were truly walking in the dark on some issues and not far removed from some negative and destructive patterns. This book helped us to sure up our marriage foundation and gave us most importantly, HOPE! From marriage on the rocks to Marriage Rocks! A must read for those of us who have made our share of mistakes in marriage and would like to find out how to stop making them.

5.0 out of 5 stars "Marriage ROCKS" ROCKS!!!, February 18, 2011

By 

D. Baker (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Marriage ROCKS for Christian Couples (Paperback)

Just finished reading the book and am so happy I came across it. Dr. Arnold hits a home run in describing how marriages should be built. I love his premise that God's intent is for each partner to help the other on the path to Holiness and not simply happiness (which too often seems to be the mantra exposed by so many). He further expounds on the "suitability" principle which is consistent with God's creation of Eve for Adam. This principle helps put things in perspective. The way he uses real life couples helps to move from the theoretical to the practical. I often found myself laughing aloud in certain areas where I saw my own marriage (oftentimes when reading about Dr. Arnold and his wife's marriage, which seemed to parallel my own in many respects). Chapter 8 summarizes my key takeaway which is, God wants us to make our marriages our ministry, both at home and throughout society at large. I have recommended the book to all the couples I know as well as Pastors for use in their churches!

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless Principles, June 13, 2010

By 

Arnita Coles (Axton, VA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Marriage ROCKS for Christian Couples (Paperback)

For those Christians who sincerely want a transformation in their marriage, Marriage ROCKS is a resource that can help provide the guidance and direction you seek. Dr. Harold Arnold has beautifully linked the biblical principles of Christ sacrifice in bringing us back into a right relationship with God to our own personal sacrifice and offerings to help build and restore our relationship with our spouse. The concepts illustrated in Marriage ROCKS are not foreign to the Christian, as these are the same principles used in our daily walk with Christ. Truly, this is an exceptional book that married couples should own.