Before You Say I Do, Revised Important Questions for Couples to Ask Before Marriage

by Outcalt, Todd

• ISBN13: 9780399532436
• ISBN10: 0399532439
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-01-03
• Publisher: Perigee Trade

Summary

Questions to pop before popping the question-now revised and updated. Relationship counselor Todd Outcalt encourages couples to engage each other with in-depth conversations, and share life histories and experiences, in order to build a strong foundation before marriage-and avoid making mistakes.

Author Biography

Todd Outcalt is a United Methodist pastor who has written for a wide variety of publications and periodicals. Educated at Duke University, he has counseled hundreds of couples before marriage and officiated at (nearly) an equal number of weddings. He has conducted workshops on marriage and parenting, and has led seminars on the premarital relationship. Happily married, Todd and his wife, Becky, have two children.

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS	IX
Introduction	1	(8)
So You Want to Get Married?	1	(2)
How to Use This Book	3	(6)
CHAPTER ONE: Questions to Ask Your Future Spouse	9	(134)
Dinner or Movie?	11	(3)
Your Hopes and Dreams: Planning a Future Together	14	(9)
Family Background and History	23	(12)
Education	35	(5)
Life Experiences	40	(7)
Career	47	(7)
Ethics and Values	54	(10)
Love and Commitment	64	(13)
Sexuality	77	(9)
Children/Family	86	(11)
Spiritual and Religious Practices	97	(11)
Past Relationships	108	(9)
Finances/Money	117	(10)
Household	127	(4)
Miscellaneous (and Personal Tastes)	131	(7)
A Few Closing Comments	138	(5)
CHAPTER TWO: Questions to Ask Your Friends and Family	143	(18)
CHAPTER THREE: Questions to Ask His/Her Friends	161	(18)
CHAPTER FOUR: Questions to Ask Your Future In-Laws	179	(17)
CHAPTER FIVE: Questions to Ask Your Religious Leader	196	(19)
Questions for Your Own Faith Tradition	202	(6)
Questions if You Are Entering Another Faith	208	(7)
CHAPTER SIX: Questions to Ask Your Lawyer	215	(14)
CHAPTER SEVEN: Questions to Ask Your Children	229	(11)
CHAPTER EIGHT: Suggestions for Using This Book	240	(11)
The Silent Partner	242	(1)
The Workaholic	243	(1)
The Couch Potato	244	(2)
The Smooth Talker	246	(1)
The Don Juan	247	(1)
Little Miss Muffet	248	(1)
The Reactionary	249	(2)
A Final Word	251	(4)
Index	255