Marriage Rocks for Christian Couples

Evidence suggests that marriage may be losing to more secular values. African Americans, in particular, have one of the lowest marriage rates in the country, and their divorce rate is among the highest. In response to the critical condition of black marriages, Dr. Harold Arnold offers a model in Marriage ROCKS for Christian Couples that is designed for use in couple s small groups. Healthy marriages are developed in community and are a benefit to community.

The Marriage ROCKS for Christian Couples Leader s Guide provides you the tools to lead a couple s small group step-by-step through the Marriage ROCKS model.

Each chapter within the Marriage ROCKS for Christian Couples Leader s Guide provides four segments:
(1) Learning Objectives provides three learning objectives for each chapter
(2) Facilitator s Overview describes the background of the chapter and summarizes the key principles that are taught
(3) Lesson Guide provides an overview to the facilitator on how each chapter satisfies its learning objectives
(4) Group Exercises provides ideas for group reflection and interaction to cover up to 1.5 hours of meeting time

With the Marriage ROCKS method and the Marriage ROCKS for Christian Couples Leader s Guide, Arnold empowers facilitators to serve couples in their efforts to establish and strengthen their relationship on a rock-solid foundation of:


*Redemption -- the rock of grace
*Offering -- the rock of sacrifice
*Covenant -- the rock of boundaries
*Knowledge -- the rock of power
*Sacred space -- the rock of worship

The revolutionary book and accompanying Leader s Guide leads couples at all levels of relational intimacy on a journey to discover how marriage (1) develops the human capacity to experience the fullness of God's love and (2) becomes a ministry through which to share God's love with others.

Designed for use by individual couples, with small groups, or in counseling contexts, this practical book includes biblical study, discussion questions, and action steps. This book is designed as a companion resource to Marriage ROCKS for Christian Couples.

Harold L. Arnold Jr. holds a PhD in social and organizational psychology from Temple University and a master s degree in marriage and family therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary. He is president and founder of Discovering Family International, an organization that promotes the virtues and values of family life. A sought after speaker and workshop leader, Dr. Arnold is also creator of the Relationship ROCKS modelTM, a program for building equity in personal relationships. A member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and Black African-American Christian Counselors, Dr. Arnold serves as a minister and counselor for a large multi-cultural church in Philadelphia.