What If It's Not about Who You Marry - But Why? - The Sacred Search

I absolutely LOVED this book!! It was filled with tons of wisdom and experience as well as physiological information. This book cause me to look at the choice of marriage with new eyes. It is a go to that I have purchased for other people and have recommended on numerous occasions. YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK!!

Gary Thomas addresses the why of marriage according to God's design while challenging single people to make the wisest possible choice in who they marry. Many facets of relational and spiritual health are explored with detailed insight in every chapter of this book. Excellent resource for single people interested in building a kingdom focused marriage, with a godly life partner, that ultimately points the world to Christ.

Some Christian dating/relationship books lack substance or relevance. Not this one- it is practical and insightful. As the title suggests, this book is definitely geared more toward people who are at an age when they would consider marriage. But, a mature teenager may appreciate the book too.

This book reinforced a religious look on marriage rather than the typical Hollywood romance. I found it to be a positive and inspiring book as it reflected my inner view and my hope for a future marriage of my own. I enjoyed this book so much I bought a few more copies and sent them to a few of my single friends in hopes that it will inspire them too.

Amazing insight/wisdom! Shatters many of the worldly myths about choosing a partner. Takes the focus off self and places it squarely on how can I accomplish God's will/ expand His kingdom. Thomas does this by taking the focus off who and replacing it with why?

Every single parent in the world should make their children read this book before dating!! If I had thought about my relationships like Mr. Thomas describes, I would NEVER have gotten into the marriage I did. I can't say enough about this great advice.

It exceeded my expectations! This a a great read! There are about 2 generations & some older, that could benefit from this book. I read "sacred marriage" first, (same author) because someone told me it was the same stuff... NO, both books are worth finding, reading, having, gifting & passing down!

This is my third time reading"The Sacred Search" and I learn something new and beneficial each time I read it. What I love most about the book is that it challenges you to look at yourself first and to really know who you are and what type of life and marriage you want to have before starting a relationship with somebody. I think this is a must read for Christian singles and have recommended the book to all of my friends.

This is a very good book. Every christian who wants a God centerd marriage should read this (I will add that even non christians can find this book quite useful too). Though you may not agree entirely with the author on some points, I would say majority of it is spot on.
Helps clear the fogginess we often create in the course of making the life changing decision of marriage.

This is the best book on relationships I have ever read. If young people would read and heed the advice given we would have far fewer divorces and broken families. The research on the physiology of sex and its effects on brain chemistry alone are worth the price of the book. Full of great advice on how to choose a mate with whom you can build a strong family. I wish this was required reading in every Christian high school Family Living class.

This book should be a required read before couples even think of marriage. It starkly contrasts the infatuation of romantic love with the realities of building a life together. How people will make a decision that will affect themselves, their spouse and their families lives for a lifetime based on feelings rather than wisdom. A most excellent read!

Definitely a book I suggest to my single friends. Read it while I was dating my now-husband and it challenged so many of my pre-conceived notions about the purpose of marriage. He explains that the best marriage partner is not just one who loves you and loves the Lord, but one who can best help you obey "seek first the Kingdom of God" and follow your calling.

I recommend this book to every college student! I buy copies for my friends on the store and ship them right to their house! This is a really good book on marriage! Very practical, helpful and applicable. An excellent tool along with the bible in understanding marriage and the "why" we marry before "who" we marry. Loved it.

Definitely a book I suggest to my single friends. Read it while I was dating my now-husband and it challenged so many of my pre-conceived notions about the purpose of marriage. He explains that the best marriage partner is not just one who loves you and loves the Lord, but one who can best help you obey "seek first the Kingdom of God" and follow your calling.

I recommend this book to every college student! I buy copies for my friends on the store and ship them right to their house! This is a really good book on marriage! Very practical, helpful and applicable. An excellent tool along with the bible in understanding marriage and the "why" we marry before "who" we marry. Loved it.

This book is sobering and will blow away your rose colored glasses.

If you want a strong dose of the truth so the you can have a marriage set on the Rock then get this book.

If you want enter marriage with your eyes wide open then get this book.

Many people are looking for their Soul Mate and then get married. When there is difficulty, they think they must not have found him/her. However, this book points out that the person you marry is your Sole Mate, which lends a different perspective on how we have often viewed marriage, and how we may proceed with difficult marriages.

Very thought provoking book that makes you rethink the why of marriage. The de-emphasis on the "who" for the "why" of marriage is a new concept which I appreciated very much. I'm forever grateful and I have been impacted greatly.

I highly recommend this book for any Christian couple seriously dating or any Christian single wanting to date because it helps to seriously start thinking about a lot of things and start good conversations before engagement or even while seriously dating.

Great book that challenges people to look deep into a potential date and marriage partner. In a society that focuses on sexual attraction, emotional infatuation, and having fun on dates, this book challenges you to focus on the qualities that really matter in sustaining a life-long happy and healthy marriage.

This is an amazing book for any couple! Gary Thomas has a heart and a passion for people, and especially for marriage. He is the "real deal" who lives out his life for the Lord, Jesus Christ! This book is easy to read with great takeaways about what we can all do to have a successful, God-centered marriage. I HIGHLY recommend this book for everyone!

Although I think this book was written with young people in mind, it certainly applied to persons of any age contemplating marriage. I did a lot of serious soul searching while reading this book. I would recommend it to every single person of any age.

I would strongly recommend this book to anyone married or single. Clearly the singles who are desiring marriage or are already in a relationship headed toward marriage are going to benefit the most by spending time in this book/study. However, I found the book helpful to me in retrospect...having been married before, currently single, and not really looking for a relationship...I can see some of the "why" to the problems that arose in my previous relationship. This book definitely provides a lot of truth and Godly "food" for thought. Loved it!

Gary gives a great perspective on Christian marriage. Not only offering wisdom but very practical tools that can be applied at any point in our life. Explains thoroughly and gives you much to think when consider one of the most important decisions in your life. It will challenge you, but it will br worth it.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book about a practical perspective of a Godly marriage, as well as what a person can be doing not only to prepare him/herself for a godly marriage but to thoughtfully evaluate another person before entering into a covenant relationship with him/her.

Gary Thomas is an excellent writer and his words help those who need direction in choosing a spouse. Very encouraging help in giving the direction that their lives could go in, stop and pray and meditate before leaping into what you think could be a 'wonderful' life, be realistic and Gary's book helps you open your eyes.

This is very well written, and has me thinking of relationships in a different way. I really like how at the end of each chapter there are questions to get you thinking - to make it personally applicable to me. I would recommend this to anyone in a relationship, but also to those who are looking to be in a relationship. It has very good foundational thoughts - and leads to you to really solidify what you want, you desire, you are looking for.

While considering the idea of marriage and what it meant to me and why I wanted to get married, I was challenged by this book to seek deeper meaning and purpose for marriage. I was enlightened by the ideas presented in this book and appreciated the author's style of writing.

This book is at the opposite end of the emotionally motivated marriage search. While recognizing romance and emotions as a valid part of relationships, this meaty book emphasizes the primary foundation for a lifelong marriage. I hope all my grandkids and the next generation that I work with will read and heed.

I really enjoyed the wisdom and practical advice Gary Thomas shared in this book.He reminded me that I am already perfectly loved and adored by the One who matters most. He also pointed out several times that if i want a spiritually focused marriage, I need to search for a spiritually minded man. That seems so obvious, but so many times we just assume that all the other good qualities a potential spouse has will over power a spiritual weakness. But after reading this book, I determined to change my priorities. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone seeking to do marriage God's way.

This book is beautifully written to help change the way young people look at the process of finding a life partner and therefore create HEALTHY, LASTING MARRIAGES!!! Please read this before you get married!!! It doesn't take long to read and you won't regret reading it!!

This book was absolutely amazing. It has really given me a renewed purpose in dating. Matthew 6:33 definitely has shown me exactly what's important. Making a wise choice is my thought process going forward.

I read this book alone, as an engaged 20 something. I'd love to re read it in a small group setting, there are thought provoking study questions at the end of each chapter. This content is timeless and practical.

Don't even consider hooking up before you read this book! Could save your life, emotionally, mentally and spiritually! Could be the difference between a life of happiness or misery! Why is this stuff not taught in school?