The sermon series has been on the Biblical basics of marriage. It has touches on four foundational pieces.
- Marriage and the Gospel
- Compliments: Trinity, Roles in Marriage, and Sex
- Love: Speaking and Living It
- Marriage as Ministry
As a result, there is a lot of depth and tangential issues that are not touched on within our times on Sunday. I encourage you to discuss that in your Tribes [community groups at Terra Nova Church].
Further, I want to recommend the following books on marriage, sex, and dating. [If you click on the links, you can buy them on Amazon]
Best Old School Book
St. John Chrysostom on Marriage
These are sermons from the patristic preacher who became known as the golden tongued. The amazing thing is the sermons are not clever, trendy or a running list of applications for every demographic available. They are biblical, honest, and gracious.
Best Complete Overview
Andreas J. Kostenberger
The book is thorough and biblical. While Kostenberger is one of the smarter guys on the team, a PhD from Trinity Evangelical Seminary and a professor of Christian ethics at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, the book is readable and practical.
Best Yet to Be Published
Mark and Grace Driscoll
I received eagerly the advanced reader copy. This is what we would expect from Driscoll at his best. It is filled with a biblical vision of what families can be under Christ and peppered with his charismatic personality and propensity to spin well the right story. This is a book for couples and families by a pastor who loves the Church.
Best Pastoral Counsel Book
Paul David Tripp
On staff at 10th Presbyterian in Philadelphia, Tripp is a pastoral counselor. This a book focusing on the nature of sin in people and the realities of sin in marriage. He calls us to 6 key commitments to making marriage endure with grace.
Best on Marriage Reflecting God and Grace [also my wife’s favorite]
Gary Thomas
The book challenges us that marriage is more than the coupling of two people, it is the display of God and his grace to each other, our family and beyond. This book calls us to marriage as an act of service and worship with God.
Books Used in Pre-Marital Counseling at Terra Nova Church
Larry Crabb
While you will want to ignore the drawings of foppish men with mustaches and women who appear to have been hung from heaven, the content is practical and challenging. Its section on communication and ministry versus manipulation have always been especially helpful.
Gary Chapman
What if you said I love you, but your spouse never heard you? This book expands on some of the ways people perceive and express love. It is an eye opener for most couples. While most know pretty quickly what their love languages are, there are also free online questionnaires.
Ed Wheat
This is THE book on sex. Every married couple should read it.
Other books of note:
John Piper
Dave Harvey
Emerson Eggerichs
Don and Sally Meredith
Amazing book recomendations! Thanks.