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The 7 Best Books for Husbands For A Great Marriage
Introduction to The 7 Best Books for Husbands
What does it take to be an exemplary husband? What does it take to be a good husband? The funny thing about these two questions is that we don’t have what it takes on our own to be a remotely decent husband. If it were solely up to us men, the divorce rate would be 100% if we’re being honest. That doesn’t mean we’re bad people. It also doesn’t mean that we’re sinners who struggle to love God. In this post, I want to provide the top 7 best books for husbands who desire to be that loving, serving, selfless, sacrificial husband
If we believe in Jesus, we love God, but struggle with sin. This is human nature. From my own experience, I can attest that in order to be loving, serving, selfless, sacrificial husband, it takes the Lord to truly reveal to us how to be those things because that’s who He is.
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1. Habits of the Household
“Habits of the Household” by Justin Whitmel Earley provides practical guidance for Christian parents to instill faith in their daily family routines. The book emphasizes creating intentional habits that reinforce Christian values through everyday activities, fostering a nurturing environment for spiritual growth. Earley shares relatable anecdotes and offers actionable tips to help parents model faith effectively. Aimed at parents committed to building a faith-based home, this book combines practical advice with a strong theological foundation, encouraging families to integrate their beliefs into the rhythms of daily life.
The Main Takeaways
- Establishing daily family routines that reinforce Christian values.
- Integrating faith into everyday household activities.
- Creating a nurturing environment for spiritual growth.
- Practical tips for parents to model faith.
Pros
- Practical and actionable advice.
- Encourages intentionality in parenting.
- Relatable anecdotes and examples.
Cons
- May feel prescriptive or overwhelming to some parents.
- Assumes a certain level of prior religious commitment and knowledge.
Who?
- Christian parents seeking to build a faith-based home environment.
My Take
As a married couple, the husband is the head of the household. While this may seem controversial in today’s culture, it’s not. In Habits of the Household, the main point is that, as husbands, we are to lead our families. I loved this book through and through. It is an excellent book that provides meaningful detail for how we can lead our families day in and day out. It’s the perfect book for those of us that struggle to instill daily and weekly rhythms in our families which is why it’s on the list for best books for husbands, naturally.
2. Disciplines of a Godly Man
“Disciplines of a Godly Man” by R. Kent Hughes challenges Christian men to cultivate spiritual disciplines in various areas of life, including prayer, worship, integrity, and leadership. The book provides a structured approach to developing a disciplined, godly lifestyle, emphasizing personal responsibility and growth. Hughes supports his advice with scriptural insights and practical guidance, aiming to inspire men to pursue deeper faith and spiritual maturity. This book is intended for men seeking to strengthen their relationship with God and live out their faith more fully.
The Main Takeaways
- Importance of spiritual disciplines for men.
- Key areas of growth: prayer, worship, integrity, and leadership.
- Encouragement to pursue a disciplined, godly life.
Pros
- Comprehensive and structured approach.
- Encourages personal responsibility and growth.
- Practical guidance and scriptural backing.
Cons
- Can seem rigid or demanding.
- May not resonate with men outside of a conservative Christian framework.
Who?
- Christian men looking to deepen their faith and spiritual discipline.
My Take
This is one of the great books about being a Godly man, therefore one of the best books for husbands. The practical ideas brought forth in this book provide a framework for the disciplines to instill in your daily life. I first read this book as a young adult trying to determine my way forward in an arena, marriage, that I had no clue about. The first step in being a Godly man is to understand the disciplines necessary to lead a Godly life. I highly recommend this book for men of all ages.
3. Wild At Heart
“Wild at Heart” by John Eldredge explores the inherent desires and passions of men, urging them to rediscover their masculinity from a Christian perspective. Eldredge encourages men to embrace their adventurous spirit and live authentically, aligning their lives with their God-given nature. The book combines personal stories with biblical insights to inspire men feeling disconnected from their purpose. It challenges conventional views of masculinity, promoting a more vibrant and courageous approach to life. This book is ideal for men seeking to reclaim their true identity and passion.
The Main Takeaways
- Understanding the innate desires and passions of men.
- Rediscovering masculinity from a Christian perspective.
- Encouragement for men to embrace their adventurous spirit.
Pros
- Inspirational and motivational.
- Validates the natural desires of men.
- Combines personal stories with biblical insights.
Cons
- Gender stereotypes can feel limiting.
- Some may find the theology and psychology oversimplified.
Who?
- Christian men feeling disconnected from their sense of purpose and identity.
My Take
This is an all-time classic. Best-selling author John Eldredge provides an excellent read for men who seek a battle to fight, a beauty to rescue and and adventure to live. This is one of my favorite books that I’ve read. This may be number one for the best books for husbands to read.
4. The Meaning of Marriage
“The Meaning of Marriage” by Timothy Keller, with Kathy Keller, delves into the biblical foundation and purpose of marriage, addressing common challenges and offering practical advice for building strong, loving relationships. The Kellers provide deep theological insights and a balanced perspective on marital roles, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing God in the relationship. This book is designed for married or engaged Christian couples aiming to strengthen their bond and understand marriage from a faith-based viewpoint. It combines rich theological content with relatable, practical guidance.
The Main Takeaways
- Biblical foundation and purpose of marriage.
- Addressing common marital challenges.
- Practical advice for building a strong, loving relationship.
Pros
- Deep theological insights.
- Practical and relatable advice.
- Balanced perspective on marital roles and responsibilities.
Cons
- Traditional views on gender roles may not resonate with all readers.
- Some couples may find the advice challenging to implement.
Who?
- Married or engaged Christian couples looking to strengthen their relationship.
My Take
Tim Keller was someone I deeply admired for his willingness to stand on his principles. In The Meaning of Marriage, Keller presents biblical truth for what marriage is supposed to be. I firmly believe that all married couples should read this book together. While it won’t solve all of our marital problems, it will absolutely provide a truth-based, biblical perspective of marriage.
5. No More Excuses
“No More Excuses” by Tony Evans confronts the common excuses men use to avoid living faithfully, emphasizing accountability and personal responsibility. Evans challenges men to rise above societal and personal obstacles, encouraging them to embrace a proactive approach to their faith journey. The book covers a wide range of excuses and barriers, offering motivational and direct advice to inspire men to take action and live out their faith more fully. It is intended for Christian men struggling with complacency and seeking a more committed spiritual life.
The Main Takeaways
- Overcoming common excuses that hinder men from living faithfully.
- Emphasis on accountability and personal responsibility.
- Encouragement to rise above societal and personal obstacles.
Pros
- Direct and challenging.
- Motivates men to take action.
- Addresses a wide range of excuses and barriers.
Cons
- Tone can be confrontational.
- Might not appeal to those who prefer a more supportive approach.
Who?
- Christian men struggling with complacency in their faith journey.
My Take
Tony Evans is a master at motivating men to become more than who they think they are. This is one of the few books that equally convicts and motivates at the same time. This book was recommended to me by a mentor over 15 years ago, and I would recommend this book for any man that wants to live differently. Any man that desires to forsake living in the “safe place” in order to experience the adventures of God.
6. You and Me Forever
“You and Me Forever” by Francis Chan and Lisa Chan reimagines marriage through the lens of eternity, prioritizing God over traditional marital goals. The book encourages couples to focus on their spiritual growth and view their relationship as a means to honor God. It balances earthly responsibilities with an eternal perspective, offering engaging and thought-provoking insights. This book is aimed at Christian couples seeking a deeper spiritual connection and a fresh approach to marriage, emphasizing the importance of a God-centered relationship.
The Main Takeaways
- Viewing marriage through the lens of eternity.
- Prioritizing God in the relationship over traditional marital goals.
- Balancing earthly responsibilities with eternal perspective.
Pros
- Fresh and eternal perspective on marriage.
- Focuses on the spiritual growth of both partners.
- Engaging and thought-provoking.
Cons
- May seem overly idealistic.
- Some practical marital issues may be underemphasized.
Who?
- Christian couples looking for a deeper spiritual connection in marriage.
My Take
The Chan’s take on marriage is approached from an eternal perspective rather than an earthly perspective. Due to this, it’s a much different approach than the normal marriage books we typically find about how to have a better marriage. This is a relatively quick read that I can certainly say, from my own experiences, provides a fantastic paradigm shift for a lasting marriage. This is one of the best books for husbands and wives alike.
7. Becoming A King
“Becoming A King” by Morgan Snyder explores the journey of personal and spiritual transformation for men, emphasizing leadership, character, and godly authority. Snyder encourages men to embrace their true identity in Christ and pursue inner transformation and authenticity. The book provides practical advice combined with spiritual insights, inspiring men to develop their leadership skills and live out their God-given purpose. It is intended for Christian men seeking personal growth and a deeper understanding of their role as leaders and followers of Christ.
The Main Takeaways
- Journey of personal and spiritual transformation for men.
- Emphasis on leadership, character, and godly authority.
- Encouragement to embrace one’s true identity in Christ.
Pros
- Inspiring and motivational.
- Emphasizes inner transformation and authenticity.
- Practical advice combined with spiritual insights.
Cons
- Might feel abstract or philosophical.
- Can seem repetitive or slow-paced to some readers.
Who?
- Christian men seeking personal growth and leadership development.
My Take
As I’ve written about plenty of times before, this is the holy grail of books for me. I’m currently going through it for the third time. This is the first book you should read multiple times to think about manhood and masculinity in new ways you may have never thought about before. When it comes to good books for husbands to read, this is a great resource to constantly go through in your journey.
Conclusion
So there you have it! These are the 7 best books for husbands to read in order to embrace a life of freedom, adventure, authenticity and experience. Having read each of these, some multiple times, I can absolutely say that this is a great starting point for becoming the man, and husband, your wife needs you to be.
About the Author
John Claborn
Hi! I’m John. Author of the post you just read. I like to write about all things adventure. Mostly things to help people live more adventurous lives and care for their families in a more meaningful way. By day, I’m a COO. By night, I’m a rad dad of 4 kids that I don’t deserve and a husband to a woman I can’t understand how I got. My goal is to show freedom to people through adventure and experiences.
