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Love and relationships resources

We're committed to giving you the knowledge and tools to improve your relationships - whether with colleagues, friends, family or couple relationships.

That's why we've pulled together this list of recommended tools and books from leading Christian and secular authors and speakers in the areas of:

  • love
  • understanding and accepting yourself
  • communication
  • men
  • marriage relationships.

Listen to our latest Love and Relationship sermon series.

Quick reads

A pile of books and a cup of tea

Keeping it real in relationships
Pastor Denis reflects on the reasons why people feel disconnected from those closest to them in this blog post.

Pastor Denis Wade's 5 hacks for a lasting marriage
Download this handy infographic with 5 tips based on his experience of over 36 years of marriage.

 

Love

 

What is love? Gotquestions.org

A Biblical overview of the four different words in Greek for love, and what they mean: eros, phileo, storge and agape.



5 love languages book coverThe five love languages by Dr Gary Chapman 

Available to purchase via Amazon.
This book guides couples in identifying, understanding, and speaking their spouse's primary love language--quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service, or physical touch. There are also books for singles, teenagers and children.
You can easily discover love language online, as a single person, teenager or child. Click the link below to complete the quiz:
5 Love languages quizzes.




Understanding and accepting yourself


16personalities.com

This free personality test is based on the 16 personality types of Myers Briggs, and provides a flexible framework for understanding your differences and strengths, which can be useful for all kinds of relationships.


The 5 love languages quiz

Based on the New York Times best-seller, The five love languages, by Gary Chapman, this is a useful online tool for assessing how you give and receive love. There is a quiz for singles, couples, children and teens.
Available at 5lovelanguages.com/quizzes.

 

Communication


Non-violent communication (PDF), Dr Marshall B. Rosenberg

Dr Marshall B. Rosenberg's four principles for practising non-violent communications may sound extreme, but are actually very helpful for acknowledging emotions in a way that minimises hostility.
 

Learning the art of communication (PDF)

Pastor Denis has produced a document based on the tool above with relevant Bible passages to read and meditate on.



Men


5 love languages for men book The 5 love languages for men, Gary Chapman

Available to purchase via Amazon.
Gary Chapman goes to the heart of every man's desire to master what matters. Simple, practical and effective, this book is a great tool to help men make their relationships great.






the truth about men book coverThe truth about men: what men and women need to know, DeVon Franklin

Available to purchase via Amazon and Audible.
We hear it all the time. Men cheat. Men love power. Men love sex. Men are greedy. Men are dogs. But is this the truth about men? 

 


Communication sex and money boCommunication sex money: overcoming the three common challenges in relationships, Ed Cole

Available to purchase via Amazon.
Most men would do almost anything to overcome their three primary problems in relationships with women. Communication, Sex & Money has solid solutions for all three. Filled with everyday examples, the book will teach readers how to defeat difficulties and create a satisfying, peace-filled, and long-lasting marriage.




 

Singleness and dating

 

How to get a date worth keepinHow to get a date worth keeping, Dr Henry Cloud

Available to purchase via Amazon and Audible.
In this book, Dr. Henry Cloud gets to the heart of the issues dating raises for many readers and gets them on the road to fun and fulfillment in the single life.

 




Boundaries in dating book coveBoundaries in dating: making dating work, Dr Henry Cloud & Dr John Townsend

Available to purchase via Amazon and Audible.
Boundaries in Dating provides a way to think, solve problems, and enjoy the benefits of dating in the fullest way, including increasing the ability to find and commit to a marriage partner. There is also a companion workbook.





 


5 love languages singles editiThe 5 love languages singles edition

Available to purchase via Amazon. 
This book for singles aims to help you understand yourself and others better, grow closer to family, friends, and others you care about, discover the missing ingredient in past relationships and date more successfully.




 



Black, Christian and Single, Edited by Marcia DixonBlack Christian Single

Available to purchase via Amazon.
This anthology collates the experiences of single Christians within Britain's Black Pentecost church. They are a series of essays written by Millennials, 'middle youth' and the mature on subjects including: single living, the psychological effects of longterm singleness, abstinence, past church teaching and steps to finding a spouse.

 




Marriage


Marriage works jjohnMarriage works: the ultimate guide to marriage, J. John (new edition)

Available to purchase on Amazon
In this book J. John considers what marriage and love are all about, singleness, the delicate issues of dating, the alternatives to marriage, and the awesome seriousness of making that decision; the wedding, the early days, and the principles of making your marriage a success; resolving conflicts, affair-proofing, crisis management and marriage repair. 

 


marriage counseling book coverMarriage counseling, Jacob Costas

Available to purchase via Amazon. 
This book includes two manuscripts, Relationship growth and Codependency, which discuss how to help a flawed relationship by setting healthy boundaries, improving communication, sex life and more. It makes reference to non-violent communication techniques




Fighting for your marriage booFighting for your marriage,  Howard J. Markman, Scott M. Stanley, Susan L. Blumberg

Available to purchase via Amazon. 
For over 20 years this best-seller has been the go-to reference for couples that want to enhance their marriage and prevent divorce. It contains proven strategies and down-to-earth guidance and practical exercises for all couples who want to enhance their relationships. This revised version comes with a new instructional DVD.

Planning your Visit