Ready or Knot?

Scott Kedersha

Description

The wedding day is just one day in the life of a couple. But God's design is for marriage to last a lifetime. So how can someone know that the person they're with is the one they can truly build a life with--especially when so few marriages around them work? Pastor Scott Kedersha has worked with more than 5,000 premarital couples to prepare them for the biggest decision of their lives. In Ready or Knot? he offers practical and Christ-centered guidance for couples for all of the days after the wedding day. Through authentic stories from real couples about the decisions they made (or wish they'd made), Scott asks the hard questions so his readers can break free from the watered-down Hollywood version of marriage and build their lives together on the right foundation--the unchanging Word of God.

Sujets

• Dating

Informations

• Publié par: Baker Publishing Group
• Date de parution: 05 février 2019
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781493416325
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

Cover
Endorsements
“I have watched Scott lead so many couples through this message, and lives have been changed! Take every encouragement and challenge he has written, have the conversations, and I guarantee your marriage will be better for it.”
Jennie Allen, author of Nothing to Prove ; founder and visionary of IF:Gathering
“Our generation needs this book. We need to learn the truth about love, sex, and covenantal marriage. Even more than that, we need to be reminded that marriage is a good gift from a good God who has designed it with our absolute best in mind. Scott does an incredible job undergirding timely, practical application with the timeless principles of God’s Word. Highly recommended!”
Ryan and Selena Frederick, authors of Fierce Marriage ; founders of FierceMarriage.com
“Whether you’re single, dating, or engaged, this book is a must-read. Scott Kedersha’s warm writing style is conversational, comprehensive, and caring. No matter where you find yourself, you’ll feel heard, you’ll be challenged, and you’ll have a plan to move toward marriage. I have a feeling I’ll be buying copies of Ready or Knot? to give away for years to come.”
Clay Scroggins, lead pastor of North Point Community Church; author of How to Lead When You’ re Not in Charge
“In the past decade of ministry at The Porch I’ve had the privilege of watching hundreds of couples get married. I’ve seen the ones who have done it right and the ones who have struggled. Those who have had the most ‘success’ in their new venture are the couples that gleaned from Scott’s wisdom and premarriage ministry, Merge. This book is that wisdom in written form and, might I add, is very entertaining. It should be required reading for every seriously dating and engaged couple. Learn from Scott as thousands of others have.”
Jonathan “JP” Pokluda, teaching pastor of Watermark Community Church; author of Welcome to Adulting
“If we were friends, and I could give you any wedding gift, it would be twelve weeks in a room with Scott and his bride to help you prepare for your marriage. Since I can’t give you that, give yourself the gift of twelve chapters with him and the wisdom he has waiting for you.”
Todd Wagner, senior pastor of Watermark Community Church; author of Come and See
“If we had to go to one person for sage marital advice, it would be Scott Kedersha. Scott is able to communicate God’s truth in such a loving way, and he doesn’t skirt around the tough issues while doing so. Ready or Knot? is the book every prospective married couple needs to read before their big day. Communication, forgiveness, in-laws, finances, sex—Scott covers these and so much more with God’s heart at the center of it all.”
Sean and Catherine Lowe
“A much-needed resource, Ready or Knot? is a book every couple who is preparing for marriage should read and discuss together! It’s packed full of biblical wisdom, practical advice, personal stories, and must-have conversation ideas. We highly recommend!”
Patrick and Ruth Schwenk, founders of FortheFamily.org; coauthors of For Better or For Kids: A Vow to Love Your Spouse with Kids in the House
“If you are engaged or thinking about becoming engaged, next to the Bible, Ready or Knot? might be the most important book you could ever read in this season of your life. Scott’s book is full of inspiring true stories, thought-provoking discussion questions, and life-changing principles to help you build a Christ-centered foundation for a lifelong marriage full of love and laughter. This book will also help you prepare to create a legacy that will positively impact your future children and grandchildren. If every engaged couple would read this book, divorce rates would instantly drop!”
Dave and Ashley Willis, authors and speakers; TV hosts for MarriageToday
“Many couples will undertake a DIY home improvement project on their house. Scott Kedersha has given you something much more valuable: a DIY relationship improvement project for your home. If you are planning on getting married—or even just considering it—this do-it-yourself guide will help get you ready for life after the wedding.”
Ron Deal, family author, speaker, and therapist; bestselling author of The Smart Stepfamily and Dating and the Single Parent
“This is a wonderful book about deep conversations to have with yourself, with God, and with your intended. It’s written with warmth and insight for Christians and seekers who want to discern the best path for the biggest adventure in life.”
Scott Stanley, coauthor of A Lasting Promise: The Christian Guide to Fighting for Your Marriage
“In a culture that worships extravagant weddings but does little to prepare people for actual marriages, Scott Kedersha writes a practical, biblically based book to equip couples for a lifetime of oneness. He is honest about his own failures and victories in marriage, which makes Ready or Knot? relatable for today’s generation—one that craves authenticity and transparency. It is the book I wish I’d read when I was engaged and a must-read for anyone about to walk down the aisle.”
Elizabeth Oates, speaker and author of several books, including Mending Broken Branches
“In Ready or Knot? Scott Kedersha provides a relevant, practical, and biblical resource for those who want to prepare well for marriage. He doesn’t shy away from potential landmines or difficult topics, which makes this a resource I’ll be recommending highly to premarried couples in our church.”
Christine Hoover, author of Searching for Spring and Messy Beautiful Friendship
“On many a Saturday, I stand before a couple as they commit their earthly lives solely to one another. In most situations there is one significant problem . . . the couple has not talked enough. Plenty of words have been said between them, but they have not truly discussed the details of marriage. Ready or Knot? is a gift for these couples, as it gives the framework to have the truly important conversations necessary to prepare for marriage. Don’t just read this book. Talk through it—and you will have a better marriage because of it.”
Kevin A. Thompson, author of Friends, Partners, and Lovers and Happily
“ Ready or Knot? prepares couples to experience high levels of marital satisfaction. Scott delivers great content and touching stories with a pastor’s heart. Before you walk down the aisle, read this book. If you don’t have plans to walk down the aisle anytime soon, this book paints a beautiful picture of marriage for you.”
Ted Cunningham, pastor of Woodland Hills Family Church, Branson, MO; author of Fun Loving You
“ Ready or Knot? is a great resource! Scott does a wonderful job of communicating essential questions that are relevant for couples considering marriage! His practical, thoughtful communication style and insightful questions will definitely help them in this process!”
Doug Goodwin, COO, Kanakuk Ministries
“For the last thirteen years, Scott has been given the unique opportunity to focus on helping premarital couples. Through his ministry at Watermark Community Church, he has worked with thousands of couples. In Ready or Knot? , he brilliantly weaves together biblical principles, research, wisdom, expertise, and real-life stories in a way that will leave couples feeling understood, empowered, and known. I highly recommend this book for any couple who wants to start their marriage off right!”
Ted Lowe, director of Married People.org ; author of Your Best US: Marriage Is Easier Than You Think
Title Page
Copyright Page
© 2019 by Scott Kedersha
Published by Baker Books
a division of Baker Publishing Group
PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.bakerbooks.com
Ebook edition created 2019
Ebook corrections 01.18.2021
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-1632-5
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
Scripture quotations labeled ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2016
Some names and details have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved.
Dedication
To Kristen
We dated. We were “knot” ready. We broke up and fell in love with Jesus. We dated again, I put a ring on it, you said “Yes!” (among other things), and we tied the knot. I love you more.
Contents
Cover 1
Endorsements 2
Title Page 5
Copyright Page 6
Dedication 7
Foreword by Gary Thomas 11
The Best $20 You Will Spend on Your Relationship 15
1. What Is the Point of Marriage Anyway? 23
Why “You Complete Me” Is a Big, Fat Lie
2. Are We Looking to Win or Seeking to Understand? 37
The Most Important Skill You Need in Your Relationship
3. How Much Does Our Faith Really Matter? 55
Building Your Marriage on the Right Foundation
4. What If You Say Tomato and I Say Tomahto? 71
Learning to Live with Each Other in an Understanding Way
5. Will We Clip Coupons or Max Out Credit Cards? 85
A Biblical View of Money and Financial Stewardship
6. Who’s in Charge, and What Are Our Biblical Roles? 99
The Part of Marriage TV Shows Never Get Right
7. How Can We Pursue Emotional Intimacy? 113
How to Be Completely Naked while Fully Clothed
8. What Do We Need to Know about Sex? 129
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