Throughout a marriage, husbands and wives find themselves evaluating whether or not their relationship is growing the way they want it to grow and the way God wants it to grow. Questions abound. How do you build a marriage that will weather the storms of life? What do you do when one spouse has hurt the other? How do you handle differences in expectations? This video from Paraclete Press, hosted by award-winning author Walter Wangerin, Jr., not only helps couples deal with questions like these but also helps them build enduring and loving marriages. Growing Together: Building a Marriage that Lasts acknowledges that every marriage has its own unique character and personality. Rather than being a "how-to" for marriage, this video aims to equip couples with the tools necessary to build a vital, safe, and dynamic marriage that can sustain them through the inevitable changes and challenges life brings. Walter Wangerin, Jr., shares candidly from his own marriage experience and gives practical ways for couples to nurture Christ-centered marriages. Divided into 9 segments, Growing Together covers topics such as forgiveness, trust, talking and listening, and sexual intimacy. The accompanying study guide provides Scripture references and questions to encourage dialogue and writing after each video segment has been viewed. Walter Wangerin, Jr., is Jochum University Professor and writer-in-residence at Valparaiso University. He is the author of more than 20 widely acclaimed books for children and adults, including The Book of the Dun Cow, The Book of God, and Paul: A Novel.

Intended both for newlywed couples and couples who have been married for years, Wangerin has crafted a resource that is designed for use in small groups, but I believe it can also be used effectively in the counseling of individual couples. Through nine video segments, prayer, Scripture, home assignments, journaling, and discussion questions, he has provided a valuable tool for congregations. Growing Together can be helpful for marriges that have grown stale or ones where expectations need to be defined, communications and trust need to be rebuilt, and new direction can be forged.

Lutheran Partners

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In "Growing Together: Building a Marriage That Lasts," university professor and author Walter Wangerin helps couple deal with marrital stress by offering tips for building a lasting, loving, Christ-centered union. Unlike many books and videos on marriage that provide only laundry checklists of advice, Wngerin personalizes the subject by giving viewers an intimate look into his own courtship and marriage.

Video Librarian

February 13, 2003

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"Growing Together" isn't faddish or cute. It's serious and offers timeless scriptural advice on growing this precious, holy relationship. . . it would be a worthy addition to a church or counseling-center library.

Michael Lee Anderson

CBA Marketplace online

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