Book Review: Marry Wisely, Marry Well

As an unmarried young adult who one day hopes to be married, I have found it difficult to find biblical resources which equip singles to take steps to prepare for marriage even before they enter into a relationship. In a culture that puts so much stock into sexuality, what we need in the church is a guide through God’s Word on how to prepare for marriage biblically. Thanks to Ernie Baker, we now have a resource in Mary Wisely, Marry Well: A Blueprint for Personal Preparation.

Using the word picture of a house from Psalm 127:1 and Proverbs 24:3–4, Dr. Baker lays out the book in three sections. In the first section he lays the foundation, exploring what the Bible says (chapter 1), showing how our relationship with Jesus Christ relates to wisdom in relationships (chapter 2), explaining why we are attracted to certain people (chapter 3), and stating what are God’s purposes for marriage (chapter 4). With the foundation laid, Ernie leads up to building the first floor in section two. He poses five questions which include how those not in a relationship should use their single years (chapter 5), what relationship skills they can work on and develop (chapter 6), how they can know when they are ready for marriage and how they can be in line with God’s will (chapters 7–8), and what method they may choose for finding their spouse (chapter 9). These nine chapters culminate in placing the roof over the house, the result of building wisely being a marriage that glorifies God (chapter 10).

Marry Wisely, Marry Well is a much-needed drink of biblical wisdom for equipping singles in preparation for marriage. Ernie Baker points us back to Scripture in considering how those unmarried as myself can begin to prepare ourselves for marriage even before we are in a romantic relationship. His work both examines and equips. He asks heart-probing questions throughout the book. He ends each chapter with equipping the read to start preparing now and to ask questions about what to look for in a potential spouse. In addition to that, the second appendix at the end of the book gives the read a marriage preparation project. Much more could be said on this superb resource. This book is full of biblical wisdom and you would be wise to give a copy to an unmarried in your life who hopes one day to be married.

I received this book for free from Shepherd Press via Cross Focused Reviews for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and are my honest review of the book.