Segal - Not yet married: the pursuit of joy in singleness and dating

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I have been married for forty - eight years. But even now, a half - century later, the days of falling in love and going with Nol are still vivid in my memory. They are in a class by themselves. Marriage knows its unfettered ecstasies, but those years leading to marriage were supercharged with never - before and never - since emotions. We need Gods wisdom. And we need his supernatural help to live it out. Marshall Segal is a trustworthy guide. He is conscious of the world but conformed to the Word. God did not leave us without wisdom or power for this volatile season of life. Marshall will point you to both.

John Piper, founder, desiringGod.org; Chancellor, Bethlehem College & Seminary

Singleness is not a punishment, and marriage is not a right. Yet more and more, I encounter young women who are single longer than they planned to be, and they wonder how they missed the dreamboat. Whats more, they wonder why God hasnt answered their prayers for marriage. Thats why Im thrilled to get my hands on Not Yet Married . This is a book not just about waiting well or about preparing for marriage. It is a book about God, grounded in Gods Word. Married, engaged, or a long way away from the altar, this book paints a beautiful, biblical picture of marriage and the God who designed it.

Erin L. Davis, blogger; Bible teacher; author, Beyond Bath Time ; True Princess ; and Beautiful Encounters

This is a book about God and his glory before it is a field guide for the not yet married. That will be its sticking power. Segal has done a great job of connecting gospel truth to how we think about ourselves and our love lives, which is desperately needed in a culture that wants to keep God sequestered to the sanctuary. Its weighty but accessible, taking on serious topics in a way that reads like a chat over coffee. I know the title is Not Yet Married , but after eleven years of marriage I found myself challenged and encouraged on every page. I am really grateful for Marshall and his honest, theologically sturdy counsel. This book is a must -share.

Jimmy Needham, recording artist; Worship Director, Stonegate Church, Midlothian, Texas

Marshalls writing never fails to be richly insightful, thought provoking, and heart probing. He is also refreshingly transparent as he shares out of what he has experiencedsometimes the hard wayof Gods Word and ways. As Marshall chronicled his journey through years of singleness, I was delighted to see God bring Faye into his life in due season. Now I rejoice that he has written this book, which will be a feast to men and women in any season of life, as they press through every unfulfilled longing this side of heaven, to pursue joy in Christ.

Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, host, Revive Our Hearts ; author, Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free ; A Place of Quiet Rest ; and Seeking Him

Timely. Relevant. Solid. In a cultural climate where singleness is equally celebrated and stigmatized, and dating is misunderstood and mispurposed, Marshall Segal injects a breath of biblical fresh air. With Scripture as its undergirding, Not Yet Married is a helpful guide to honoring God in any relational status. Married or not, single or dating, I hope youll read this book.

Louie Giglio, Pastor, Passion City Church, Atlanta; founder, Passion Conferences; author, The Comeback

In a culture that constantly communicates falseeven destructivemessages about dating, Not Yet Married is the Christian response we need. Marshall is deeply biblical and writes with the empathy, humility, and wisdom of a brother who has walked this road, made mistakes, and found grace. Now he shares his experience and gospel - rich insights with us. Teenagers especially will benefit from Marshalls words. For that reason, this book will be one I joyfully recommend far and wide.

Jaquelle Crowe, Lead Writer and Editor in Chief, TheRebelution.com; contributor, The Gospel Coalition; author, This Changes Everything

For years, Ive longed for a book I could recommend without hesitation to single men and women. My wait is over. Marshall Segals Not Yet Married is everything I hoped for and more. His foundations are thoroughly scriptural, his applications are rooted in the good news of the gospel, and he provides some of the clearest counsel for navigating the unmarried years Ive ever seen. He humbly acknowledges his own failures and addresses past sins with sensitive pastoral skill. If youre single, this book will increase your faith in Gods good plans for you and inspire you to passionately pursue a Christ - exalting life. I cant wait to recommend and give this book away.

Bob Kauflin, Director of Worship, Sovereign Grace Ministries; elder, Sovereign Grace Church, Louisville; author, Worship Matters and True Worshipers

Instead of settling for our cultures cheap version of love, sex, and dating, Not Yet Married challenges and inspires Christian singles to live their lives with greater intentionality. This down -to- earth book is a must - read for every guy and girl who desires to glorify God to the fullest while theyre not yet married.

Kristen Clark and Bethany Baird, founders, GirlDefined Ministries; authors, Girl Defined

Not Yet Married

Not Yet Married

The Pursuit of Joy in Singleness and Dating

Marshall Segal

Not Yet Married: The Pursuit of Joy in Singleness and Dating

Copyright 2017 by Marshall Segal

Published by Crossway
1300 Crescent Street
Wheaton, Illinois 60187

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except as provided for by USA copyright law. Crossway is a registered trademark in the United States of America.

Cover design: Tim Green, Faceout Studio

Cover image: Roy Margaliot / offset.com

First printing 2017

Printed in the United States of America

Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

All emphases in scripture quotations have been added by the author.

Trade paperback ISBN: -1-4335-5545
ePub ISBN: -1-4335-5548
PDF ISBN: -1-4335-5546
Mobipocket ISBN: -1-4335-5547

Library of Congress Cataloging -in- Publication Data

Names: Segal, Marshall, 1986 author.

Title: Not yet married : the pursuit of joy in singleness and dating / Marshall Segal.

Description: Wheaton : Crossway, 2017. | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016032848 (print) | LCCN 2017013275 (ebook) | ISBN 9781433555466 (pdf) | ISBN 9781433555473 (mobi) | ISBN 9781433555480 (epub) | ISBN 9781433555459 (tp)

Subjects: LCSH: Single peopleReligious life. | Dating (Social customs)Religious aspectsChristianity.

Classification: LCC BV4596.S5 (ebook) | LCC BV4596.S5 S44 2017 (print) | DDC 248.8/4dc23