Sacred Marriage audiobook cover - What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy?

Sacred Marriage

What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy?

Gary L. Thomas

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Categories:
Sex & RelationshipsReligion & Spirituality

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Sacred Marriage
Core Philosophy+
Practicing Virtues+
Confronting Sin+
Perseverance+
Sacrifice & Service+
Righteous Communication+
Spiritual Intimacy+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
According to the book, what is the ultimate purpose of marriage?
  • A. To find a soulmate who perfectly complements your personality.
  • B. To achieve personal happiness and emotional fulfillment.
  • C. To foster personal transformation and grow in holiness.
  • D. To create a stable environment for raising a Christian family.
Question 2 of 7
What does the author suggest is an active way to practice the Christian virtue of honor in marriage?
  • A. By silently accepting your partner's flaws without complaint.
  • B. By cultivating gratitude and expressing it verbally to your spouse.
  • C. By ensuring household tasks and financial responsibilities are divided equally.
  • D. By defending your spouse when they are criticized by others.
Question 3 of 7
Why does marriage often feel challenging once the initial phase of the relationship is over?
  • A. Spouses typically stop trying to impress each other and become lazy.
  • B. The mundane routines of daily life inevitably destroy romantic feelings.
  • C. It becomes difficult to balance individual career goals with relationship needs.
  • D. It acts as a full-length mirror that exposes your own true self and selfish attitudes.
Question 4 of 7
According to the text, what gives the perseverance required in a long-term marriage its ultimate meaning?
  • A. The promise of eternity and heaven awaiting in the future.
  • B. The statistical likelihood that marital happiness returns after 9 to 14 years.
  • C. The societal benefits of maintaining a long-term, stable household.
  • D. The eventual fading of conflicts as both partners age.
Question 5 of 7
How does the book reframe the concept of sexual intimacy within a Christian marriage?
  • A. As a biological necessity that should be kept separate from spiritual practices.
  • B. As a powerful tool of giving and the peak of asceticism by serving your spouse's needs.
  • C. As a reward for couples who successfully navigate conflict and practice forgiveness.
  • D. As an exclusively procreative act that requires solemnity rather than passion.
Question 6 of 7
How do married couples primarily invite God's presence into the 'daily rush and family chaos,' in contrast to monks or hermits?
  • A. Through strict daily periods of silent meditation.
  • B. By attending church services together as a family.
  • C. Through the discipline of righteous communication.
  • D. By separating themselves from worldly entertainment.
Question 7 of 7
How can sexual expression directly enrich a couple's prayer life, according to the book's final advice?
  • A. It serves as a reminder to confess sins and seek mutual forgiveness before praying.
  • B. It broadens the view of prayer by mirroring concepts like devotion, submission, and passionate abandon.
  • C. It provides a designated time afterward where both partners are guaranteed to be silent and reflective.
  • D. It replaces the need for verbal prayer by acting as a physical manifestation of faith.

Sacred Marriage — Full Chapter Overview

Sacred Marriage Summary & Overview

Sacred Marriage (2000) is an exploration of how to bring God into your marriage. Probing the boundaries of love, it provides practical advice and spiritual wisdom to help you and your marriage transcend to a holier place.

Who Should Listen to Sacred Marriage?

  • Christian newlyweds seeking long-term marriage advice
  • Spiritual spouses struggling to find happiness in their relationship
  • Couples craving a deeper connection and higher purpose

About the Author: Gary L. Thomas

Gary Thomas’s work focuses on how the wisdom of the scriptures can be integrated into our modern lives. He’s a professor at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon; the author of multiple books; and a frequent guest on the podcast FamilyLife Today.

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