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Gary Thomas
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Sacred Marriage: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy? Kindle Edition

by Gary Thomas (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 4,105 ratings
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What if God designed marriage to make you holy instead of happy? What if your relationship isn't as much about you and your spouse as it is about you and God?

In Sacred Marriage, bestselling author Gary Thomas uncovers the ways that your marriage can become a doorway to a closer walk with God and with each other. Join over one million others who have already uncovered Thomas's tips for fostering a sacred marriage.

Within the pages of Sacred Marriage, Thomas invites you to see how God can use your relationship with your spouse as a discipline and a motivation to love God more and reflect more of the character of his Son.

In addition to life-changing insights from Scripture, church history, and time-tested wisdom from Christian classics, you'll find practical advice and techniques to make your marriage happier by becoming holier husbands and wives.

In Sacred Marriage, Thomas will give you all of the tools you need to:

  • Turn marital struggles into spiritual and personal appreciation
  • Love your spouse with a stronger sense of purpose
  • Confront your weaknesses and sin in order to grow your relationship with God and with your spouse
  • Partner in the spiritual growth and character formation of your spouse
  • Transform a tired marriage into a relationship filled with awe and respect

Thomas reveals that sacred marriages teach us to love God and others well by fostering a healthy sex life, a strong prayer life, and a rich spiritual life. God uses our marriages to help us grow in character, in prayer, in worship, and in service--we just have to recognize that the purpose of marriage is holiness, not happiness.

Each copy also includes thought-provoking discussion questions designed to spark conversation between couples and small groups, allowing you to dive deeper into the lessons that Thomas shares in Sacred Marriage.

Join the one million others who have already started on their journey to transforming their relationship with their spouses and with their Creator.

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  1. Print length
    272 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Zondervan
  4. Publication date
    August 4, 2015
  5. File size
    1554 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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  9. See all details
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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4,105 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book amazing, well-written, and engaging. They also appreciate the insights and lessons on how to bring one closer to God. Readers describe the book as incredibly helpful, practical, and relevant. They mention it presents wonderful challenges that are highly motivational and provide hope. Additionally, they say the material quality is good.

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ReadabilityInsightHelpfulnessChallenge levelMaterial qualityTruthfulnessIntimacy
320 customers mention "Readability"311 positive9 negative

Customers find the book amazing, well-written, and entertaining. They say it does a good job of preparing readers, providing clear and practical ways that we can become more Christ-like. Readers also mention the stories are relatable.

"...the author writes and tells stories in here and how a lot of stories are very relatable for me. I am half way through and have enjoyed it thus far...." Read more

"This book is simply amazing and SO well written. I bought it six years ago and am finally reading it...." Read more

"This book is amazing!..." Read more

"...And so that is a weakness to me. But the bottom line stuff is great as you think of ways to apply it to your own life--and relationships of all..." Read more

294 customers mention "Insight"288 positive6 negative

Customers find the book has good insights into marriage. They say it's life-changing, inspiring, and meaningful. Readers mention the topics are in-depth and make them analyze. They also appreciate the encouraging ways to grow closer to Christ.

"...expectations on the spouse, etc… This book is very illuminating and revealing of what your underlying beliefs are and what it healthy and not..." Read more

"I loved this book. Lots of great lessons on how to bring you closer to God within your marriage." Read more

"...The lessons to be learned are enormously relevant for responding both inwardly and outwardly to one's spouse in a God-honoring way...." Read more

"...too many fights or disagreements but this book has helped us incorporate God into our marriage and I would recommend it to any and all couples!..." Read more

57 customers mention "Helpfulness"57 positive0 negative

Customers find the book incredibly helpful and life-changing. They say it provides good practical advice, is appropriate for and relevant to anyone who wants to read it. Readers also appreciate the stories that help them remember the points. The book opens their eyes to realize that marriage is their first ministry, and the benefits far outweigh the effort. It puts everything into perspective and gives them a wonderful opportunity to grow up.

"...and harmful expectations on the spouse, etc… This book is very illuminating and revealing of what your underlying beliefs are and what it healthy..." Read more

"...He is a very self-reflective gent who applies his own life, education, & marriage to develop, describe, & analyze the different areas of living in..." Read more

"...His book not only gives inspiration but also many helpful practical suggestions for discovering and receiving the good that wants to bring to you..." Read more

"I bought this book after I got engaged and found it incredibly helpful...." Read more

26 customers mention "Challenge level"23 positive3 negative

Customers find the book highly motivational, saying it presents wonderful challenges that all of us need. They say it gives hope and guidance, and great ideas on how to improve their marriages. Readers also mention the book is refreshing, innovative, and stylish.

"...More than that, it presents wonderful challenges that all of us need; I think many marriage how-tos from either side of the evangelical spectrum..." Read more

"...I found it to be very forward, hope filled, and inspirational...." Read more

"...This is probably my 4th or 5th time & it’s still both difficult and wonderful - the challenge and support that I need...." Read more

"Very challenging and well written book...." Read more

15 customers mention "Material quality"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's material quality good. They say it provides practical advice with solid backing from scripture.

"...It is full of condensed quality material. Please order the book now!!..." Read more

"...It gives you the wisdom, understanding, grace and strength that you'll need to press on through the rough times...." Read more

"...The author gives practical advice with solid backing from scripture and respected spiritual leaders that walk the talk and have been in all of our..." Read more

"We are loving going through this book together. Great material and is bringing us closer together and to Christ!" Read more

14 customers mention "Truthfulness"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book truthful, straightforward, and practical. They appreciate that the author speaks the truth regardless of what people want to hear. Readers also mention the book is touching, real, and intimate.

"...I love the style of writing, as well as how truthfully put. The balance in Gary’s writing is exceptional. It’s not a self help book...." Read more

"...that I have had to take my time and read though this book as it tells the truth and is a eye opener!..." Read more

"...This book brings a godly, biblical perspective and a very real and straight-forward way that I think all Christian couples need to read...." Read more

"...Gary Thomas provides such an honest and real perspective on marriage...." Read more

11 customers mention "Intimacy"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book touching, real, and loving. They say it's profound and convicting.

"...Saved his failing marriage. Very deep and profound. Not your typical “just take her to dinner” message...." Read more

"...This book is so simple and profound and I’m incredibly grateful for the way that Gary backs everything he teaches with Scripture...." Read more

"...It is God's desire for marriages to be close, intimate, loving, forgiving, reconciling, and whole in HIM...." Read more

"...While reading "Sacred Marriage" my eyes were opened, my heart was softened, and I saw God's will for my life-partner and me...." Read more

Best Book Ever
5 out of 5 stars
Best Book Ever
Best book on marriage I've ever read. It is proving to transform my lovely marriage into something far far and away above what I have ever imagined. And I'm not even finished with the book! Thank you, Gary Thomas
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Top reviews from the United States

Natalya Myhre
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is great
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2024
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I’m engaged and getting married this summer and decided to read up on marriage and godliness. This book talks about the two like they aren’t opposite and that you can pursue godliness in marriage. I really love how the author writes and tells stories in here and how a lot of stories are very relatable for me. I am half way through and have enjoyed it thus far. I recommend this to people who are in happy and unhappy marriages, it can help you learn more about yourself, things you do or view that are false, toxic and unhealthy behaviors, unhealthy and harmful expectations on the spouse, etc… This book is very illuminating and revealing of what your underlying beliefs are and what it healthy and not healthy for marriage in terms of expectations and so on. I think if you’re looking to improve things yourself or just help yourself see things more biblically then this is a great read. And even if you’re not looking for it and just are hoping this could change your mind on things then I recommend this. I think we all could be a little bit more god centered and love better and this book orients you towards that 💛
7 people found this helpful
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Erinamnda
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2024
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I loved this book. Lots of great lessons on how to bring you closer to God within your marriage.
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Martha J. Hicks
5.0 out of 5 stars Order this book NOW!
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2024
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This book is simply amazing and SO well written. I bought it six years ago and am finally reading it. I can't believe I waited so long (but perhaps, being further along in the sanctification process now, the book can be even more applicable for me). The insights and guidance in the book are all biblically based. The lessons to be learned are enormously relevant for responding both inwardly and outwardly to one's spouse in a God-honoring way. This is exactly what I needed and hoped to find. I am only on chapter six (having felt compelled to get up and write a review), but I've already gained permanently useful insights that I can apply now and fine tune going forward with God's help. I had expected to flag a few useful pages and maybe highlight a few things. Unexpectedly, I am highlighting critically useful pointers and insights on more than half the pages! I have not come across any rambling or meaningless fluff in the book. It is full of condensed quality material. Please order the book now!! I believe it can be a life-changing book for anyone who is married or expects to get married.
5 people found this helpful
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Spunal93
5.0 out of 5 stars Makes you closer with your spouse
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2024
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This book is amazing! My husband and I don’t have too many fights or disagreements but this book has helped us incorporate God into our marriage and I would recommend it to any and all couples! Doesn’t matter if you’re married or not.
One person found this helpful
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Deborah S
4.0 out of 5 stars A call to holiness
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2008
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I have found this one of the most helpful books to give to marrieds and engaged folks. It largely avoids the complementarian/egalitarian debate (though it quotes one complementarian who is quite forceful in his views), focusing more on our heart attitudes. For that reason you can give it to a wide variety of people even if you're not really sure what their theology of marital roles is or even if they differ from your own. More than that, it presents wonderful challenges that all of us need; I think many marriage how-tos from either side of the evangelical spectrum really don't focus on the heart behind the decisions one makes in relating to the other and our roles. I think an honest look at the principles in this book would serve to temper folks' zeal about how they see marriage to work by bringing them to their knees in awe of the holy and awesome calling... in other words, to a place of humility where God can work on us and whatever assumptions or formulas we might bring to the table.

After prayerfully handing this book to one couple, I was told that they think I saved their marriage before it started. Now that's good to hear!

I have to say, however, that I relate very little to the woman whom Gary evaluates his reactions to (his own wife, who seems to fall into stereotypes in regards to emotions, desires, and so forth) or the pattern of marital sacrifices they've found themselves called to make for their particular marriage. And so that is a weakness to me. But the bottom line stuff is great as you think of ways to apply it to your own life--and relationships of all sorts within your life (I'm actually single). Because of its intimate reference to pretty much only one marriage and a fairly stereotypical if lovingly walked out one at that, many will find that it is best read along with other books--ones which do deal with the possible diversity of marital roles and callings for either the husband or wife--to which the same principles can be applied. I heartily recommend the book.

Btw, a favorite theology book on the gender topic is Dr. Sarah Sumner's "Men and Women in the Church: Building Consensus on Christian Leadership." To my utter delight in looking up the title of that book just now (my copy is perpetually on loan, so I don't have it sitting before me) I discovered that she and her husband just came out with a book on marriage this month. Yay!! I'm doing cartwheels in my mind at the thought. I hope it is as good as her previous books would indicate it will be.
18 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Reanne B.
5.0 out of 5 stars 10/10
Reviewed in Canada on August 22, 2024
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I read this book and loved it, it’s so helpful and keeps you centered on jesus
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Glory
5.0 out of 5 stars This book has a lot to offer
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 20, 2023
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This book will build your character and rebuild that broken marriage if only the two will agree to follow the simple steps illustrated by the writer. It’s also a good book for pre marriage counselling, it’s prepares one ahead for a marriage life.
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Punam sharma
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read foer every married couple
Reviewed in India on March 19, 2019
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This book is one of the most awesome book I've read. It has brought tremendous changes in me. I m in love with this book.
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Joseph Raymund
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read
Reviewed in Australia on October 11, 2019
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Excellent read on a topic that needs much more exposure in today’s day and age. Practical and theologically sound at the same time
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Erika
5.0 out of 5 stars Sacred Marriage: What if God Designed marriage to make us holy more than happy!
Reviewed in Italy on May 23, 2013
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This book is awesome!!!!!
It has opened my mind and heart to important topics and on how marriage reveals what really is in our hearts, which staying single would not. In marriage we live a reality that is harder than any other and if we follow God instrucions, in His Word, not only will we find peace and happiness even during struggles but we will become holier every day more. God will be able to work in our hearts to make us better persons, will work on our selfishness, then we will want to only give and we will find that it is better to give than to receive.
So difficult to express what a blessing this book has been to me and still is as I go back to it.
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