Books for preparation

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

Hey,

Got a question about books for people PREPARING to enter a relationship together.

Was wondering if anybody had a name of a good book for two people who care about each other a great deal, and want to start up a serious relationship, but want to make sure they've got a good grounding first in order to stop old 'mistakes' cropping up.

So far I have boundaries in dating, wild at heart, define the relationship and every woman's battle.

I guess I'm specifically looking at a workbook we could do together - sort of like those premarriage books, but more designed for those who want to date each other seriously and learn how to respond RIGHTLY to each others behaviours...

If this doesn't make sense, please PM me and I could shed a bit more light on the subject

Thanks

 

[caitlincares]

I posted this book and some others in the singles forum earlier today.

It is by Conrad Smith. My copy is from 1989.
It is called Why just be married when you can be... Best Friends: Featuring Bible studies and friendship building exercises for both of you.

I was previously engaged.
I do have a pre-marriage workbook somewhere.
I will look for it and post when I find it.

 

[desi]

The Bible is all you'll ever need.

 

[Pope Gonzo]

The Bible is all you'll ever need.

You beat me to it! I wanted to say that

 

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

Any good books of the bible that I SHOULD read (seeing you're all for the Bible books)? - I'm reading Ruth and Esther at the moment - and PLEASE don't say Song of Songs - That's a LONG way off yet

Also looking for some study guides that could help - I find heaps for marriage preparation but not for couple preparation... a study we could do TOGETHER, rather than for each of us separately (we're all ready doing that type of study)...

Sasch

 

[mathias1979]

The Bible is good to read, no doubt, but it can be hard to really take concrete advice from it. So read it, but there's nothing wrong with needing supplemental material. You certainly need to find something that offers relationship advice from a spiritual perspective. The only book I've really read is "Making Love Last Forever." Author is Gary Smalley. He doesn't cite the Bible all that much, and the guy is a psychologist, but it is written from a God-centered point of view.

-Matt

 

[Warrior Poet]

Isnt that funny after all the work poor Frued put into taking religion OUT of physcology, and treating it like a virus, how so many of his counterparts and co-horts years later are finding it to be so much more of a "cure". Poor guy.
Discovering the Mind of a Woman, by Ken Nair. Good read he breaks down types of women (i know can believe that all in one book ) But more important he translates their feelings or words into "guy code" Its an eye opener for sure. I think a lot of guys would have a real hard time reading this cause it can really convict you and your treatment of the soon to be or special one. I dont like books per-say as far as advice goes, they seem more like peptalks to give you the "slap-on-the-back-you're-are-doing-great" feeling. I would rather read the ones that I can learn from. I thought this one did just that.... it would be for "him" though Sascha.

By the way i was informed if you arent entering this "relationship" with the intent to marry you are wasting everyones, time lack committment, and are foolish.

ROFL.... but the more I hear that the stupider it sounds......ROFL.

Warrior Poet

 

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

yeah - it all depends on your belief of dating - and as I've said before, nothing is INHERANTLY wrong with the 3 main points of view as to why you date (marriage, learning or friendship)...

Sasch

 

[GuruGreg]

Even though it's not a workbook, as you were asking, I really enjoyed going through Tommy Nelson's The Book Of Romance. It's a look at the Song of Solomon (or Song of Songs, depending on your Bible version) and analyzes the relationship that grows from first meeting through deep into marriage. Definately makes you think about all relationships (from friends, to family, to significant others).

I know you can find the book, and a companion video or audio series at www.song of solomon.com.

It was the book that finally gave me the revelation of God's presence in my life and brought me to follow him.

Edit: The link isn't going through right...there should not be a space between song and of, nor between of and solomon. Sorry...don't know why it's doing that!

 

[hanaya]

"When Boy Meets Girl" by the same author as "I kissed Dating Goodbye", I can't remember his name, it's Josh something I think. But it's a really good book. It made me think about a lot of things regarding my relationships.

-Hanaya

 

[caitlincares]

Up in the devotions section here at CF there is a devotion for couples.
Here is the link: http://www.familylife.com/devotionals/default.asp

 

[FaithfulServant]

I agree with Hanaya - Josh Harries wrote two books "I kissed dating goodbye" and "Boy meets Girl". I have read the latter, and skimmed through the other one, and I think both are excellent. My boyfriend and I read Boy meets Girl together

God Bless ,

Steffani