The Marriage Builder: A Blueprint for Couples and CounselorsPsychologist Larry Crabb cuts to the heart of the biblical view of marriage: the 'one-flesh' relationship. He argues convincingly that the deepest needs of human personality -- security and significance -- ultimately cannot be satisfied by a marriage partner. We need to turn to the Lord, rather than our spouse, to satisfy our needs. This frees both partners for 'soul oneness,' a commitment to minister to our spouse's needs rather than manipulating them to meet our own needs. With 'soul oneness' comes renewed 'body oneness,' where couples enjoy sexual pleasure as an expression and outgrowth of a personal relationship. The Marriage Builder also identifies three building blocks essential to constructing marriage: the grace of God, true marriage commitment, and acceptance of one's mate. Now for the first time, discussion questions have been added to aid couples who want to come to deeper understanding of marriage. Helpful to counselors and laypersons alike, The Marriage Builder is for anyone who longs to transform marriage from trial to triumph. |
Contents
INTRODUCTION | 7 |
Who Meets My Needs? | 25 |
IManipulation or Ministry? | 47 |
Physical Pleasure With Personal Meaning | 87 |
BUILDING THE FOUNDATION | 103 |
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The Marriage Builder: A Blueprint for Couples and Counselors Lawrence J. Crabb,Larry Crabb No preview available - 1992 |
Common terms and phrases
accept Adam and Eve anger angry awareness become behavior believe Bible biblical Bill bitterness Body Building Block chapter choose Christ Christian commitment to minister Consider continued ministry counseling counselor couples decision to forgive deep deepest needs depends desire despair develop discussion guide displeasure efforts Emotional Response enjoyment evaluation experience express Ezekiel faith fear feel feel loved felt frustration fulfillment fully Fun Sex give goal of ministry Grand Rapids hope hurt husbands and wives Interaction intimacy Jesus legitimate live Lord marital marriage commitment married couple Mary mates meaning motivation need for security never obedience offending event one's spouse ourselves pain partner perhaps personal needs PLATFORM OF TRUTH principle of ministry problems questions reflect regard rejection relationship requires satisfaction satisfy Scripture Secondary Emotional security and significance sense sexual pleasure share sinful situation someone Soul Spirit spouse's steps tell understand wife wife's woman worthwhile wrong