Sacred Marriage Participant's Guide: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy? [Paperback]

Gary Thomas (Author), Kevin G. Harney (Author), Sherry Harney (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 7, 2009

Your marriage is much more than a union between you and your spouse. It is a spiritual discipline ideally suited to help you know God more fully and intimately. Sacred Marriage shifts the focus from marital enrichment to spiritual enrichment in ways that can help you love your mate more. Whether it is delightful or difficult, your marriage can become a doorway to a closer walk with God. Everything about your marriage---everything from the history you and your spouse create, to the love you share, to the forgiveness you both offer and seek by turn---is filled with the capacity to help you grow in Christ's character. This six-session, small group DVD curriculum will equip you to love God more passionately, reflect the nature of his Son more precisely, and fulfill God's overarching purpose for your marriage.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gary Thomas is a writer in residence at Second Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, and an adjunct faculty member teaching on spiritual formation at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. He is the author of several books, including Sacred Marriage, Sacred Pathways, Pure Pleasure, Sacred Parenting, and the Gold Medallion Award-winning Authentic Faith. SPANISH BIO: Gary Thomas es escritor residente en la iglesia Second Baptist de Houston y Profesor asociado en el Seminario Western en Portland, Oregon. Es autor de mas de una docena de libros, incluyendo Matrimonio sagrado, Placer puro y el ganador del Golden Medallion, Fe Autentica.

Kevin G. Harney (kevingharney.com) serves at Shoreline Community Church in Monterey, California. He is the author of many books and studies, including Organic Outreach for Ordinary People, Seismic Shifts, and Reckless Faith. SPANISH BIO: Kevin G. Harney es pastor de ensenanza en Faith Church en Dyer, Indiana. Es autor de Seismic Shifts: the Little Changes that make a BIG difference in your life y coautor de varios libros.

Sherry Harney (sherryharney.com) has served as a children's ministry director and a women's ministry director, and is the author of more than sixty small-group Bible studies. One of her greatest passions is investing in the next generation of women in the church.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan; Reprint edition (April 7, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310291461
• ISBN-13: 978-0310291466
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.2 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,903 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #23 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Education

More About the Author

Gary Thomas is a bestselling author and international speaker whose ministry brings people closer to Christ and closer to others. He unites the study of Scripture, church history, and the Christian classics to foster spiritual growth and deeper relationships. Gary's unique message will help you:

* Embrace the unique way that you interact with God.
* Partner in the spiritual growth and character formation of your spouse.
* Build a closer, grace-based family.
* Enjoy God with a new sense of freedom and delight.

Find out more at: www.GaryThomas.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars EVERYONE Should Read This Book! January 21, 2010

By Nana Shutters

Format:Paperback

Next to the Bible itself, Sacred Marriage has been more helpful to me than any other book I've ever read -- and I've read a lot! I've read way too many of what my sister calls "Suck it up, Sweetie" books -- you know, the ones that tell you that if you make menu plans, get the laundry done regularly and have sex at your husband's every whim you will have a wonderful marriage. Those books are more discouraging than anything else, and I believe they cause more harm than good.

Gary's book isn't like that. It hleps you to focus on the true goal - not how to have a wonderful marriage, but how to how to have a wonderful relationship with God, no matter what your marriage is like. Of course, I've found that following the biblical principals in this book, my marriage is much more satisfying -- even though nothing much has changed other than my own heart and my own focus.

Thank you, Gary, for writing a no-nonsense book that simply gives us the message of the Bible in relevant ways. The principals in this book not only apply to marriage, but to every aspect of life. I highly recommend it! (I've already worn out 5 copies and have given out at least that many to others.)

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sacred Marriage July 14, 2009

By R. Whitaker

Format:Paperback

I found this book to be a unique view on marriage. So many books out there are all about what can marriage do for me and instead this book is about how God intended marriage to be and how that works for your spouse and yourself. It also is not a to do list of the things to do to improve your marriage. This book is more about the basis for a good marriage designed by God.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic lessons in any stage of life January 6, 2012

By PintoBean

Format:Paperback

I originally read this book in a girls' small group that coincidentally turned into a engaged girls' small group. The truths in here are so electric that I had to carry a highlighter and basically highlight entire pages at a time!

Comparing the message of this book to the world's opinions and to my own parents' marriage was so eye-opening to me. One of the points that I remember most, speaking of people in the area of ministry, and I paraphrase: "If you can't love your spouse, whom you have chosen specifically to love, then how will you love a stranger that God commands you to love?" How simply and yet profoundly deep is that?

As an unwed girl then, and a happy newlywed now, I am so thankful for the timeless advice it offers and the beautiful picture it paints of a sacrificial marriage that clings to Christ for salvation. I can't wait to read it again and again as I enter new stages of relationship with my husband.