Customer Reviews

Starting Out Together: Couples Devotional : For Pre-Engaged, Engaged & Newlywed Couples

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Maybe it is simply because I have read many resources about Christian marriage, but I did not receive much benefit from this devotional book. My fiance and I picked up this book, because it is the only one we have seen on the market for engaged or dating couples, rather than married couples. The reading is not backed up by much scripture.

My fiancé and I were interested in having a good reading material that would help us prepare for marriage. After searching online and in local bookstores, we decided to acquire this book (among others).

We read a section every night and discuss a little about the topic afterwards. I wish the book were based more on Biblical teaching. Although it has a verse from the Bible at the beginning of each section, and the topic relates to that verse, the discussion is barely related to the Scriptures. It is based on the author's personal experience as Marriage Counselor and common sense.

In addition, I have this feeling after reading the book that the author's intent is to "warn" people about marriage rather than to make them feel good about what is to come. Phrases such as "have you ever dealt with frustration? Wait until marriage to know all about it!"

In general, it conveys the message that communication is the base of a successful marriage relationship. While some of the topics are OK, others are so obvious that is hard to discuss anything about them! In summary, there are better and more in-depth books out there! We have already found some.

This book is really good, because it gets you and your significant other talking about important issues that matter. So, in a sense, this book is a conversation starter. I recommend this book for couples that are seeking a deeper relationship. Word of caution though. This book, I feel, is more directed at the engaged couple, but there are still some really good things in there for you two.

-Marriage is the focus of Starting Out Together. This book doesn't deal too much in the dating or engaged stage of a relationship, but it highlights several aspects of marriage to get the couple to be thinking about long-term commitment.
-The topics change daily, rather than having a weekly theme to tie several reflections together. Therefore, you don't explore a theme in very much depth and touch on a broad range of topics rather than several key ones.
-The daily devotionals are generally a page and a half and leave a bit to be desired. The goal is to get you and your partner to discuss the content and the subject in more detail, but I often got to the end of the devotional and feel a little disappointed that Wright didn't go further.
-The book has sparked a lot of discussion between me and my partner, though. We have been able to grow closer together through this devotional and therefore it accomplishes the task it was meant for.

Honestly, I feel that this was written for the spiritually immature. This book has no real insight and does nothing to inspire anything more than the most superficial exploration of faith and love.

My future-partner and I are more than halfway through this book-reading one chapter a day.The chapters are short but look at very specific issues.This book truly makes you look at yourself,how you FIT into the relationship,and how you fit WITH your partner. More importantly, it makes you look at how God fits into your life and relationship as well. Small book-big impact.

My boyfriend (at the time) bought this book to do togeather. It's excellent. There are a few that are kinda "silly" but still good. We are now engaged, and we are almost done with the book. It's a good conversation starter. Or some of them are just good to soak in.

This book says that it is written for those who are Dating OR Engaged. It is definitely NOT for those who are just dating. Every entry so far (we are on #10) has been about marriage, not at all about just a dating relationship. We are really enjoying it and plan to get married so it's good for us, but it would be very awkward for a dating couple to read if they are not definitely planning on marriage.

My fiancee and I have started this book--we are getting married next year. The devotions are short and easy to do in half an hour or less. Sometimes the suggestions are a bit obvious--but it's definitely a starting point for a conversation. Many of the passages use the AMP Bible translation, which I am not a huge fan of--but that's a personal preference.

My husband and I purchased this devotional for a couple we knew who had just gotten engaged. It is a great resource for pre-marital counseling!