Growing a Strong Marriage

Growing a Strong Marriage

Did you grow up with the idea of one day you would get married and live happily ever after? Why didn’t anyone tell you how much work and effort is involved to have a strong marriage?

I often listen to young couples that are heart broken and overwhelmed with the load they are trying to carry. Sadly, most come from either broken homes or were not raised by Godly parents; so they are lost when it comes to understanding how to build and maintain a strong marriage.

So if you were not raised with an example that you could follow; where do you turn for help?

This week I have been reviewing a video series titled, Growing a Strong Marriage from Hendrickson Publishers.

This unique video study series on growing a stronger marriage is a great starting point for couples as they pursue deeper communication and understanding with one another. Through videos, discussion with other couples, and Bible study, this resource will help men and women become rooted and grounded together in Christ and committed to each other.

The video series has six couples (John & Stasi Eldredge, Chip & Theresa Ingram, Gordon & Gail MacDonald, Les & Leslie Parrott, Art & Lysa TerKeurst, and Gary & Lisa Thomas), sharing their life and marriage experiences.

In Volume One, each couple discusses the topics as they apply to their relationships. I really enjoyed hearing each of them talk about how building a marriage takes intentional actions. From the men sharing how they “ran away to work” to the women sharing how they felt alone… whoa.. wake up call for many!

This volume covers the biblical foundations of marriage: Starting Strong
Session 1 – How We Met ~ Each couple shares how they met and what led to their marriage.

Session 2 – Foundation in Marriage ~ Discussion on “being on the same page” and working as a team to keep moving towards the goals and desires of your heart. I laughed out loud at the statement about receiving a gift that had 100 pieces and 97 of them were perfect so stop focusing on the 3 rough edged pieces!

Session 3 – Identity in Christ ~ Covers how important it is to find your identity in Christ and stop taking that burden of fulfillment and placing it on each other. I can so relate with the statement by Lysa: “My biggest unrealistic expectation was expecting Art (her husband) to know how to fix me“. She goes on to make the one liner that for me was my take away point: “Even a great husband makes a very poor God“.

Session 4 – Paths to Christ in Marriage ~ How many hours and battles could be avoided if we understand that the battle is not with each other? Gary Thomas shares that “Marriage is designed to make you holy more than to make you happy”. Understanding that your marriage should be a safe place to open up and that asking is better than assuming. I can remember telling my husband that my crystal ball wasn’t working when he wouldn’t say what was bothering him.

Just as Christ transforms individuals from the inside out, he is also working on the heart of your marriage. Through this video Bible Study series, learn to cultivate and enjoy a beautiful marriage that’s rooted and grounded in Christ. Because whether you have been married for a few years or thirty years, there is always room to grow!

Both the study guide and the DVD sessions for the Growing a Strong Marriage: Starting Strong are available on Amazon and ChristianBook.com.

I like that this video series can be used as a stand alone study with just your spouse or in a group setting. The paperback study guide includes guidance for group settings that would be extremely helpful.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.