My Favorite Resources on Sex and Sexual Intimacy in Marriage

 

Inside: Resources to help you grow in your sexual relationship with your husband. 

We know from God’s Word that sex within marriage is holy and good. Pleasure is assumed, and the greatest pleasure we can experience is from satisfying our spouse. Our times of sexual intimacy with our husbands should be frequent and regular. Sexual intimacy is just one area of our marriages and working through so many other biblical principles in addition to this one will be key in developing a true unity in your marriage.

“The greatest sexual fulfillment comes gradually over the long haul in a marriage, as a couple learns to talk about anything, any time; when there’s heart-to-heart communication, not just talking at each other, but listening actively and sensitively, caring deeply about the communication.”  ~ Doug Goins

Below I’m sharing favorite resources that have been a blessing in my marriage. Many of them I utilized in putting together the podcast on sexual intimacy. Many others have been ones we’ve used over the years to continue to grow in this area of our married lives.

Related Links: Marriage Series at the Blog & Podcast Ep. 40- Sexual Intimacy in Marriage

One of the best gifts you can give to each other is to be continual learners of God’s Word and one another. Since this post is geared towards our sexual relationship I wanted to start with an excerpt from Rekindling the Romance: Loving the Love of Your Life by Dennis & Barbara Rainey that is geared towards us as wives:

The Top Five Romantic Needs of Your Man:

When it comes to romance, your husband has a few predictable needs. While this list would not be true for every man, it’s likely true for yours. Show him this list and ask him if the needs are true. If they are, ask him to prioritize them in order of importance:

1. He needs his wife to respect and celebrate who he is as a man and how God made him sexually. A wife who is critical of her husband can create an impotent man.
2. He needs his wife to make his romantic needs (frequency and creativity) a priority in their relationship.
3. He needs his wife to desire and make him feel wanted sexually. He needs his wife to be unashamed of her passion for him.
4. He needs his wife to be adventuresome, fun and imaginative sexually. He needs his wife not to be afraid or passive about using her sexual power as a woman in his life.
5. He needs his wife to let him know that “he did it!” That he is a great lover. That he brings his wife great pleasure.

Above taken from page 109, Rekindling the Romance

Resources on Sexual Intimacy:

(*Please note these resources below many of them are for married or soon to be married couples only. Especially the ones with an asterisk by them)

Books:

*Intimate Issues: 21 Questions Christian Women Ask About Sex by Linda Dillow and Lorraine Pintus

*A Celebration of Sex by Douglas Rosenau

*Intended for Pleasure: Sex Technique and Sexual Fulfillment in Christian Marriage by Ed Wheat

The Intimate Marriage: A Practical Guide to Building a Great Marriage by R. C. Sproul

*Rekindling the Romance: Loving the Love of Your Life by Dennis & Barbara Rainey

When Sinners Say I Do by Dave Harvey

*Intimacy Ignited: Discover the fun and Freedom of God-Centered Sex by Dr. Joseph & Linda Dillow and  Dr. Peter & Lorraine Pintus

*Sheet Music: Uncovering the Secrets of Sexual Intimacy in Marriage by Kevin Leman

*A Celebration of Sex After 50 by Dr. Douglas Rosenau

*A Celebration of Sex for Newlyweds by Dr. Douglas Rosenau

What’s It Like to Be Married to Me? And Other Dangerous Questions by Linda Dillow

Strengthening Your Marriage by Wayne Mack

The Excellent Wife: A Biblical Perspective by Martha Peace

We Are One: 31 Day Marriage Devotional by Rick Thomas

Podcasts/Videos:

Creating a Gospel-Centered Marriage – Intimacy Seminar Videos by Brad Hambrick

Intimate Issues with Linda Dillow at Revive Our Hearts

Creating a More Passionate Marriage with Linda Dillow at Revive Our Hearts

Rekindling the Romance in Your Marriage – at Family Life Today Radio

Romance and Intimacy Series at Family Life Today Radio

Having Sexual Conversations with Your Spouse at Rick Thomas

Marriage Series at Thankful Homemaker

When You’re Sexual Relationship Isn’t Good – Truth in Love Podcast ACBC

Glorifying God in Your Sexual Relationship – Truth in Love Podcast ACBC

Graceless Sex at IBCD Podcast

Cherishing Our Husbands at Thankful Homemaker

Cultivating a More Intimate Marriage at Revive Our Hearts

Articles:

Initiating and Declining Sex in Marriage Need Not be Awkward or Upsetting at Brad Hambrick

A Cry for the Victims of Sexual Abuse at Rick Thomas

Resources on Sex and Sexuality at Brad Hambrick

Sex Struggles in Marriage at ACBC Blog

Women, Pornography, and Romance Novels at ACBC Blog & Podcast

7 Things to Remember About Sex at Family Life

20 Questions to Help Build Intimacy in Your Marriage at Thankful Homemaker

 

This is just a start. What would you have me add to this list? Next to God’s Word, what has been a solid biblical resource to help you grow a deeper sexual relationship with your spouse?

“Sexual expression within a marriage is not an option or an extra. It is certainly not, as it has sometimes been considered, a necessary evil in which spiritual Christians engage only to procreate children. It is far more than a physical act. God created it to be the expression an experience of love on the deepest human level and to be a beautiful and powerful bond between husband and wife.”

~ John MacArthur