What is #Staymarried: A Couples Devotional about?
It’s a Christian couples devotional designed to help partners strengthen their marriage through weekly Scripture, reading, and discussion. The focus is on building habits of faithfulness, communication, and connection over time.
Who wrote #Staymarried: A Couples Devotional?
It was written by Michelle Peterson.
How is this devotional structured?
The book is made up of 52 weekly devotions meant to be read over the course of a year. Each week includes Scripture, a short reading, and discussion questions for you and your partner.
How long does each weekly devotion take?
Each week is designed to take about 30 to 60 minutes to read and discuss together. The book suggests scheduling that time on your calendar and protecting it.
Do we have to use this book exactly one devotion per week?
No, you can read faster if you want, but the book recommends going slower—about one devotion per week—so you have time to reflect and put ideas into practice. It frames marriage as “more like a marathon than a sprint.”
Can we use this devotional if only one of us wants to work on the relationship?
Yes, the book includes guidance for reading alone and journaling your thoughts if your partner isn’t ready to participate. It suggests your partner may join later, but you can still benefit on your own.
Can #Staymarried be used with a small group or church group?
Yes, there’s a section on reading with a group, including advice to look ahead and choose weeks that fit your group’s comfort level. It also says you can skip around and select topics that work best.
What do we need to use this book—do we need a Bible or journal?
A Bible is helpful because some weeks include additional Bible reading, and the book notes that Bible quotations are primarily from The Voice translation (with some ESV and TLB). A journal is recommended for writing answers and tracking takeaways.
Is this devotional more about faith, or more about psychology and relationship research?
It blends both. The introduction explains the author wanted “the science and psychology as well as the spiritual reality” behind what helps marriages stay strong.
What kinds of marriage topics does the book cover?
It covers practical relationship themes like confession and forgiveness, communication and listening, conflict and “fair fighting,” trust, boundaries, handling stress, community support, and making time for connection. It also includes topics like intimacy, money conversations, and navigating in-laws.
Does the book talk about conflict and how to fight fairly?
Yes, it includes guidance on conflict, including “10 Rules for Fair Fighting” such as no name-calling, no yelling, no sarcasm, and not walking out without naming a follow-up time. It also emphasizes a “same-team mind-set” instead of treating your spouse like an opponent.
Does #Staymarried address forgiveness and reconciliation in marriage?
Yes, multiple weeks focus on confession, receiving confessions, forgiveness, and reconciliation. It describes forgiveness as canceling a debt and encourages couples to practice forgiveness rather than holding grudges.
Does the book take a stance on divorce?
Yes, it explicitly says “stay married” is not a command and is not a stance against divorce. It states the author does not believe it’s healthy to stay married to an abuser, an addict, or a narcissist, and acknowledges divorce can sometimes be the best decision.
Is this devotional only for newlyweds, or can long-married couples use it too?
It’s written with newlyweds in mind but is meant for any couple that wants to build a stronger marriage through weekly reading and discussion. The book also talks about long-term habits and includes stories and examples from later years of marriage.
If we want a simple weekly habit to reconnect, will this book help?
Yes, it’s built around scheduling a weekly 30–60 minute check-in that combines Scripture, a short reading, and discussion questions. The book’s stated goal is to help couples build a consistent habit of faithfulness and connection over time.
