Marriage ROCKS for Christian Couples

“Harold L. Arnold Jr., PhD, has written a book for African American couples rooted thoroughly in a faith orientation, and it draws on a biblical and theological tradition of gender mutuality and equality that is embraced by many African American couples...I commend this book because it delivers what it set out to deliver. It provides what it promises it will from the outset, and those who use this book as a resource for marital enrichment will never regret their choice.”
—Edward P. Wimberly, PhD, Jarena Lee Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling, Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost, Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, Georgia

“This wonderful book serves a need in the African American community for help in strengthening and healing our marriages and relationships. The author provides honest examples that will be a blessing to those who are considering marriage and those who are already on the journey. The message is clear—whether your marriage is strong already or deeply troubled, God can make it better and can help to deepen your spiritual and emotional intimacy.”
—Nancy Boyd-Franklin, PhD, author of Black Families in Therapy: Understanding the African American Experience

“Marriage ROCKS brings a much needed, relaxed, hopeful, encouraging, and transformative teaching style addressing central issues impacting African Americans. Christian women and men in dating, engaged, or marital relationships will find sensitive, open guidance through the mystery of the concepts of partnership and covenant taking them into the joy that God has in store for each of them, their marriages, and their communities.”
—Dr. Lorraine Blackman, Associate Professor, Indiana University, School of Social Work

“Written for the couple themselves, this book and its companion leader's guide are also practical tools for clinicians, pastors, and lay leaders who work with African American couples for whom biblical concepts are important components for conceptualization of self and other. Dr. Arnold draws on his personal and professional expertise to develop a biblical and theoretical twelve-step counseling model.”
—Elizabeth Johnson Walker, ThD, LMFT, Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary

“Marriage ROCKS for Christian Couples is an extraordinary resource. If implemented by couples and leaders, Arnold's biblically sound method and strategy for married couples could revolutionize the way we approach ministry to couples and families. All Christian couples who work through this book will be blessed tremendously by his meticulous biblical reflections and insightful wisdom on married life, from sexuality to finances and parenting.”
—Dr. Johnny B. Hill, Assistant Professor of Theology, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and author of Multidimensional Ministry for Today's Black Families

With the Marriage ROCKS method, Arnold challenges couples 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

Answers the questions:

What should you expect from your marriage?

What does God desire for our marriages?

What is possible when marriages are built upon the ROCK?

Offers readers:

A twelve-step model for couples at all levels of relational intimacy

An egalitarian view of marriage often not seen in resources for African American couples

An understanding of 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

Bible study, discussion questions, action steps

Who is the book for?

African American and interracial couples

Small groups in the black church or community organizations

Christian counselors

Pastors

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 (DFI), an organization that promotes the virtues and values of family life. Dr. Arnold is also creator of the Marriage ROCKS™ program and co-creator of the Managing the Marriage-Money-Me$$™ workshop. Hometown: Langhorne, Pennsylvania

Foreword writer Edward P. Wimberly, PhD, is a prolific author and recognized leader in the field of pastoral care in the African American church. He is the Jarena Lee Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling and Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA.