Couples of the BibleA One-Year Devotional Study to Draw You Closer to God and Each Other

Robert and Bobbie Wolgemuth          Thomas Nelson, 2013.

 3.0 / 5.0 

Moving outside of the scriptural accounts provides more material for each couple but is distracting, at best.

Disclaimer: Since the book is meant to be read day-by-day with my spouse, I haven't covered much ground in the period I've had to read and review.

The first thing I thought when I found out this was year-long devotional material was are there really 52 couples in the Bible. Well, drawing out a few lessons from repeat couples the authors still utilizing 45 pairings from the Scriptures.

I've read several examples the way they are not supposed to be read, i.e. in one sitting. My wife and I have had a chance to go through a couple of couples together.

The format is the same for each Man/Woman team highlighted.

1. Monday is a retelling of the Biblical story in the authors' own words. 
2. Tuesday provides background information and context for the setting in which the couple lived.
3. Wednesday asks the readers to put themselves into the place of the subject considering their decisions and feelings. These first three days turn out to be a weakness in the book. Often, the secret thoughts and desires of the subjects are conjectured apart from the considered text of the Bible and this can color the whole week's study.
4. Thursday introduces other scriptural references to the couple or, for the less prominent couples, passages that might contain similar themes from other places in the Bible. 
5. Friday includes directed prayer using the themes brought up during the week.

I would suggest having your Bible handy as you progress through the weeks so that you are not dependent on the author's version of the story. We have found the lessons to be good discussion starters. There is not much material per day, so the book could easily be condensed into a ten-week study where each week is read during one day.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers for review. Thanksbooksneeze.com!