Before You Begin
Part One: Following God Together
1. Adam and Eve: The Original Couple After God’s Own Heart
2. Abraham and Sarah: Partners in Faith
3. Isaac and Rebekah: A Marriage Made in Heaven
4. Jacob and Rachel: Love that Lasts a Lifetime
5. Manoah and His Wife: Best Friends Forever
6. Boaz and Ruth: A Couple with Character
7. David and Bathsheba: Second-chance Marriage
8. Zacharias and Elizabeth: Partners with Pure Hearts
9. Joseph and Mary: A Couple in Crisis
10. Aquila and Priscilla: A Remarkable Husband-wife Team
Part Two: Thirty Days of Growing Together

Back Cover Text

Best friends. Lovers. Constant companions who share each other’s priorities and don’t let bitterness or resentment fester. A relationship that reflects the love of Christ. Could this kind of marriage be possible? Or is happily ever after just a distant dream?

That dream doesn’t have to be out of reach. Join authors and teachers Jim and Elizabeth George as they tell the stories of couples from the Bible and share the ancient wisdom that still transforms marriages today.

Discover how to ...
• Experience the excitement and intimacy God always intended
• Handle tough decisions with grace instead of conflict
• Communicate without fear and misunderstanding
• Function as a team and present a united front
• Trust God’s leading even when the way forward seems hidden

Whether you’re taking the first steps on your marriage journey or you’ve been on the road for years, you’ll be refreshed and renewed as, together, you learn to live a life after God’s own heart.

“A Couple After God’s Own Heart’ is more than a book, it’s a biblical constructed blueprint for growing strong marriages.”

“Written by bestselling authors Jim & Elizabeth George, this book contains 10 chapters each focusing on one couple from the Bible. Learn integrity and devotion from Boaz & Ruth, learn to forgive and let go of bitterness from David & Bathsheba and learn faithfulness and dealing with crisis from Mary & Joseph. After a detail and engaging look at the Bible the chapter splits into separate lessons for the Husband and lessons for the Wife to finally draw you back together with a practical application.”

“The book also includes a 30-day devotional journey, to encourage continued interaction with God as a couple. We can see this excellent resource benefiting every marriage, young & old. And with the interactive workbook, the book transforms into a friendly and practical study.”

If you’re thinking about buying the book for yourself, your partner, both of you, or perhaps for a couple you know – read this first. By the end you’ll know exactly what you’re buying, whether it’s for you (or someone you know) and the challenge you’re letting yourself in for.

10 BIBLICAL EXAMPLES:

Every chapter begins with Jim & Elizabeth retelling a marriage from the Bible worthy of study. Much like setting the scene in a novel, they lay the foundations for delving deeper into their story.

Then comes the study – no longer than 5 pages, they split up the narrative and discuss with insightful wisdom what’s going on. How do they interact with each other? What do they do well? How do they screw up? What about God? When you think about it, marriage runs through the Bible like the words on a stick of rock! These examples are invaluable – and it’s the meat and potatoes of the book.

Then comes the lessons – Elizabeth takes the ladies aside and Jim takes the men. They draw from the scriptural examples of husbands and wife’s offering 4-5 lessons, each around a page long. Inside each lesson are practical advice to put into action, refer back to and begin working on your side of the marriage.

Then comes the main message – these bits are called ‘Building a Marriage that Lasts’. No more than one page, this section rounds of the chapter with the main message that comes from the study.

PRACTICAL ELEMENTS:

After all those words, each chapter ends with something to help you as a couple pin-point where your marriage is at. Then they offer you and your partner the next steps towards a stronger relationship.

After the Adam & Eve chapter is a communication meter to measure how you and your partner communicate, called ‘Where Are You on the Countdown to Communication?’ With 5 levels, you can identify with the level you’re on and see the manageable steps to help your relationship get to a place where you can share everything.

Find the Communication Countdown for yourself at the end of the PDF sample chapter at the top of this page below the video.

30-DAY DEVOTIONAL JOURNEY:

At the very back of the book is a useful tool designed for couples to journey together through the Bible. A beautiful touch to the book, this devotional lasts for 30 days and is realistic to maintain. It’s an instrument for joint devotion, reading the Bible together, praying together and growing together.

WHO IS THE BOOK FOR?:

Admittedly, this book holds to a conservative view of marriage. The man is described as the ‘spiritual leader’ of the marriage, while the woman is asked to ‘complement, complete and fulfill’. This is because they translate the Bible literally – which was written in a gender biased culture. It’s odd to read this with 21st Century British eyes, and although I personally don’t agree with it the principles within this book are not affected.

There is still much equality to be read, seen and practiced from this book.

This book is suitable for couples, young & old, who have a desire to work on their marriage. If you place this book in the hands of an apathetic man it will never be read. But in the right hands with both couples committed to reading it – together – it is a powerful tool for mutual spiritual growth.

THE CHALLENGE:

Some books can be nibbled on, others can be devoured in days. This book is a nightly/weekly/fortnightly meal.

It’s a resource! It’s designed to be degusted, reflected upon and then put into practice – not rushed through or nibbled or taken lightly. If you’re serious about building on your marriage together this book is an incredible tool, if not it’s a waste of money.

So before purchasing this book we recommend you challenge yourself or your partner to take this seriously. And if you accept this challenge to journey after God’s own heart together you’re marriage will most certainly flourish.

New from bestselling authors Jim and Elizabeth George! Jim and Elizabeth come together to share from 40-plus years of marital wisdom and experiences to help couples grow closer to each other and to God.

Husbands and wives will discover how they can enrich their marriages by looking at the lives of key couples in the Bible. As they observe the strengths and weaknesses of couples like Abraham and Sarah, Boaz and Ruth, Joseph and Mary, and others, they will

• learn the essentials necessary for enjoying an exciting life together
• develop better ways to communicate and make solid decisions
• realize the need to draw upon God for unity and strength in hard times

An outstanding resource that will lead husbands and wives to enjoy a richer and deeper union!

--- About the Authors ---

Jim George and his wife, Elizabeth George, are Christian authors and speakers. Jim, author of A Husband After God’s Own Heart (a Gold Medallion finalist) and The Bare Bones Bible Handbook, has MDiv and ThM degrees from Talbot Theological Seminary. He has served in various pastoral roles for 25 years and on The Master’s Seminary staff for ten years. Jim and Elizabeth have two married daughters and are grandparents.

Elizabeth George, whose books have sold more than 7 million copies, is the author of A Woman After God’s Own Heart® (more than 1 million copies sold) and A Young Woman After God’s Own Heart. She’s also a popular speaker at Christian women’s events. Elizabeth and her husband, Jim, are parents and grandparents, and have been active in ministry for more than 30 years.