The Wedding Collection – Resources

Welcome to our final post in our series entitled The Wedding Collection! Appropriately, we would love to finish this series with some material that will help you continue yours. Below we have compiled some advice, books & some classes that will be helpful for your understanding in both preparing a wedding & preparing a marriage.

The most important resource you can get your hands on is, of course, the word of God. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16) The goal of this entire series is just that: when dealing with any matter in life, turn to the word of God. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6) All other sources are fleeting, as is stated in our Statement of Faith. We look to no other books, no other sources, human or spirit, for guidance. And yet sometimes this can be easy to forget. Sometimes our first instinct is to google, to Pinterest, to see what those around you have done. These are helpful! But God should be first. Prayer will be instrumental alongside this resource. And as stated above, this resource will carry you through your engagement, your marriage, parenting, ecclesial life, etc. Pray to the Father of all comforts & read His response to all of your cares in His word.

The second most important resource you can tap into is the resource of eldership. “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” (Jer. 6:16). When we have come through seeking, & planning, & executing, & stressing, & discussions, & finally completing a task we are FAR more knowledgeable about the process than when we had first started out. And yet, within us dwells this desire to “do it all ourselves” or to “do it our own way”. There is perhaps a fear that if we seek out the counsel & advice of others it won’t be what WE envision & it’ll turn into something dated & ugly. That is really not the case in most situations. Most of the time you will find comfort and ease and “rest” as the LORD says in Jeremiah. There are people who have gone through this before and know what was necessary and unnecessary, ideally making it easier and saving you a few mistakes & purchases that they may have already made. You may find some ideas & tips that are so perfectly in line with what you have envisioned but you just hadn’t thought of them yet! This is a resource that is highly encouraged & leads us to our next resource…

Marriage classes. These are considered by many ecclesias as essential before marriage is to take place. If you are unfamiliar with the idea, here is a quick break down. 1) As a couple, you select an older Christadelphian couple. This couple will be one that you admire, honour, & feel comfortable discussing and trusting your second most important decision ever in your life with. As we have learned in recent times, classes do not always have to take place in person, so feel free to choose a couple afar that may be interested in doing them over zoom or over FaceTime. 2) Together you ask & confirm that this couple is able & willing to do these with you. 3) The timeline is for you & the couple to discuss. You may choose to meet once a week, once a month, etc. And for how long the classes may continue; a month, a year, three, etc. 4) In these classes you will discuss many topics; finances, love languages, family matters, parenting, matters of conscience, emotions, ecclesial involvement, etc. All of these things will be incredibly helpful & enlightening. Please do consider this most valuable resource before joining in marriage.

Last but not least, a few extra resources to consider.

Reading

 

“For Better, For Worse is a series of Scriptural studies of married couples, expanded into practical thoughts on how the principles might apply to marriage in the modern age. Chapter titles include: Introduction: God’s recipe for marriage, Finding the right partner, The husband, The wife, Intimacy, Children and the family, Difficult times, Oneness and true partnership.” – The Christadelphian Office

Click here to view these books on the Christadelphian.

 

 

 

“This book is based on articles that first appeared in Faith Alive! It offers practical advice for those contemplating marriage, and for those already married. It deals thoughtfully with the scriptural principles of marriage and the threats that can arise both from within and without. Throughout this delightful book, the “great mystery” is always evident – that marriage speaks to us about “Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5:32). Here are exhortations for all who wish to be his disciples.” – The Christadelphian Office

 

Click here to view this book on the Christadelphian.

“Abraham and Sarah walked together before Almighty God. It was together as a couple that they learned, then lived and finally loved the counsels of God that guided their steps. Their experiences were special but not unique, for the development of faith matured by trial is the way of God with all His children. How encouraging it is to know, however, that even the father and mother of the faithful needed to be taught their faith by God working in their lives.” – The Christadelphian Office

 

Click here to view this book on the Christadelphian.

 

 

In a publisher’s note, John Carter writes:
“The articles here reproduced appeared serially in The Christadelphian from October 1949 to June 1950. They have always been regarded as a valuable contribution, especially in dealing with the involved problems relating to divorce and remarriage which the present state of law and social custom have made a matter of continual and increasing concern to Christadelphians, and it has been thought helpful to make them more readily available at the present time.” – The Christadelphian Office

 

Click here to view this book on the Christadelphian.

 

“Compiled by Don & Eileen Styles, hardback, 272 pages. Published by the Christadelphian Scripture Study Service (CSSS).

The collection of articles in this book address one of today’s greatest problems. It contains a wealth of wise counsel from many pens, past and present. It is not just for those with families. We all belong to families or have done so.
There are three sections:

  1. the family
  2. husbands and wives
  3. parents and children

Subjects such as marriage; roles in the home; divided homes; working mothers and coping with teen-age years are considered” – CSSS

Click here to view this book on CSSS

 

“Author: Ron Abel, paperback, 51 pages. Published by the Christadelphian Scripture Study Service (CSSS). First published in 1980, this is the third printing – 2003.

The chapter headings describe the content of the book:

  • Dinah – a Teenager in Trouble
  • Samson: The Slippery Path of Temptation
  • Do not Presume Upon Privilege
  • “Discretion Shall Preserve Thee”
  • Shun Immorality – Pursue Righteousness
  • The Singles Myth
  • Motherhood – The Training Ground for Godliness
  • Adultery
  • The “Temptation Common to Man”
  • The Bloom of Youth
  • Marriage – the Right order
  • The Symbolic Significance of Marriage” – CSSS

Click here to view this book on CSSS.


“Throughout the Bible’s long and colossal history men and women have been assigned different but complementary roles and responsibilities. Beginning with Genesis the Bible depicts God calling, appointing, anointing and communicating with men as leaders and teachers in the Old and New Testaments. Women were called to the different but equally important role of support without which God’s purpose could not have been achieved. From the second half of the 20th century on, this understanding of Bible teaching has been challenged. It is claimed that the Bible teaches that women can perform the same role traditionally undertaken by men. Is this challenge to the traditional understanding valid? This book examines that question.” – The Christadelphian

 

Click here to view this book on the Christadelphian.

 

Bible Classes

The following classes can all be found on Christadelphian Bible Talks

Marriage Guidance from the Word of God by Bro. Bob Lloyd

Marriage Retreat & Study Weekend by Bro. Ken Styles

Marriage: Building Godly Relationships by Bro. Stephen Whitehouse

Marriage by Bro. Harry Tennant

Marriage & Divorce by Bro. John Martin

Young Married Couples Weekend by Bro. Roy Styles

Additional Resources

Husband & Wife in the Lord – Harry Tennant

Marriage and Divorce – Jim Cowie

Thank you so much for reading along with us on this journey! And as always, if there are ANY scriptural wedding/marriage resources you think might complement this series, please please please do share. Any ideas, material, thoughts, etc are very appreciated.

 

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