blogpost titled Favorite Books To Help Christian Couples

Some Favorite Books To Help Christian Couples (From A Marriage Therapist’s Bookshelf)

As a Christian counseling agency, one of the most common questions that we get from our local pastors is “How can I help this couple in my church who is struggling?”

Today, let’s offer some resources!

There are plenty of ideas for conversations, questions to ask, and things to try with couples who are struggling. But one of the best ways to find a good book that can expand your own knowledge, and which you can easily offer to couples who are looking for help. 

Sure, there are some great podcasts, videos, and websites to help couples. But books are a classic for a reason! Today, I walked around our counseling offices to gather up a few favorites from our own bookshelves – and I want to introduce you to them.

Why ministry leaders need to be prepared to offer resources to couples

One of the first places that Christian couples will turn for help is to their church community.

Sometimes, that’s a pastor. Other times, that’s a Bible study leader or other person in the ministry whom they look up to.

It is wonderful for a couple to reach out for help from a community they trust, people who will point them to Jesus.

The problem is, very few ministry leaders are prepared and equipped for marriage counseling. The issues that a couple may be facing are often deep, complicated, and there are multiple points of view that can be difficult to work through.

However, we all know that the solution is not to simply send them away to a “professional.” The church needs to be prepared to offer resources and help to marriages that are struggling, and there are wonderful Christian books that you can start with.

RELATED: Helping Marriages Succeed – Tips To Help Them Help Themselves

Building A Christian Understanding Of Marriage

This category of books is a great place to start. These books will build up your own knowledge base and depth of understanding about the biblical concept of marriage. But they are also accessible and a great resource to offer to couples for them to read on their own.

Some great options include:

Practical Skills For Marriage

Many of us also benefit from having resources that are practical and action packed. What should a couple do to communicate better? What can a couple do if they want to improve intimacy? Skills are helpful.

Two great options in this category of books includes:

Strengthening Physical Intimacy In A Christian Marriage

One of the core elements of a Christian marriage (and every other marriage!) is physical intimacy. Certainly, there are books that will help build an understanding of God’s parameters on intimacy and the benefits of those boundaries.

But for our purposes here, I want to offer a few ideas that will help couples strengthen or improve this part of their marriage. It can be an awkward conversation with couples, so offering a resource may be particularly appreciated.

A Core Resource For Every Christian Leader, Marriage, And Person

There are times when pastors and ministry leaders feel a responsibility to send someone to “professionals” in order to get help. Couples or marriage counseling is often one of those categories.

And clearly, there are books and resources that can help in that journey.

But every pastor, every Christian leader, everyone in ministry already has the BEST marriage book already on their shelf.

Use the Bible as a resource for couples who are struggling!

Sharing Scripture, diving into biblical principles, seeking godly wisdom – these are all experiences that pastors and ministry leaders are uniquely equipped to offer to hurting couples. Don’t think that “professionals” have more to offer a couple than the Bible does. God created marriage, He loves marriage, and He offers wisdom beyond what marriage professionals ever can.

What’s next in helping couples?

Whether you are struggling in your own marriage or wondering how to better support the couples who come to you for help, you need resources.

Read these books. Recommend them. Share them. Talk about them. Don’t pretend that marriage is easy or avoid talking about real-life problems with people in your faith community.

If you are in South Carolina and need help with these issues, we have counselors and life coaches available at The iHope Center. Reach out to us at The iHope Center if you would like some support with dealing with these related struggles. Our services are 50% below the local average cost of counseling and we do offer some virtual appointments if needed. Call (843) 702-0323 to get started.

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REFERRALS AND DONATIONS

Our counselors are licensed in the state of South Carolina. If you are local to our state, we hope you will consider The iHope Center as a referral source for professional counseling or life coaching. We offer a 10% discount on services to full-time pastors. 

The iHope Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and we are registered in the state of South Carolina as a charitable organization. If you are local to our state, we welcome your donations and gifts to support our counseling ministry. Donations are used to help us keep clients’ fees at 50% below the local average cost for services. 

DISCLAIMERS

The blog, podcast, and other resources offered by The iHope Center should be taken as informational and educational content only. Utilizing our resources does not create a professional relationship. This podcast is not therapy. Always use your own judgment in making decisions and in making recommendations for others. 

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