The Covenant of Marriage: God's Plan to Produce Deepest LoveStrongest Relationships, Growth, and Personal Transformation

by Mark Johnson MD

Overview

The world is attempting to redefine Marriage in accord with every-shifting cultural views. In the Christian community there is confusion about God’s plan, or whether or not one exists. In sharp contrast, God has had a specific plan for Marriage from the beginning, a plan founded on the reality which defines a Covenant relationship—the sharing and merger of identity and nature, termed a “one-flesh” elationship in the Scriptures.

Building on the understanding of Covenant developed in Volume One of this series, Volume Two contrasts the outcome of our culture’s approach to love, intimacy, and Marriage with God’s plan. God has a detailed plan to build the best Marriages, ones which fulfill the deepest desires of our hearts. This plan instructs us on how to treat each other so as to build the strongest hearts toward each other, but there is far more. God has built mechanisms within us, as well as drives and desires, which His plan coordinates into an effective approach to produce mutual growth and transformation in the context of a safe, supportive relationship. God’s plan is designed to develop people capable of loving for a lifetime across through all the challenges of family life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781949572520
Publisher:	Clovercroft Publishing
Publication date:	05/19/2020
Series:	Covenant Series , #2
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Dr. Johnson, trained as a surgeon, now practicing Prolotherapy in the Nashville area, has a decades-long passion for understanding the plan of God inherent in Covenant relationships. After building a happily-ever-after love affair with his wife Holley, raising seven children, and teaching and mentoring in the Christian community for decades, Dr. Johnson has field-tested and proven all the insights shared in this book series. He and Holley share life in many ways: building a medical practice, architecting their own home, ballroom dancing, hiking, various art forms, and chasing children and grandchildren all over the world.

Table of Contents

Foreword 11

The Real Questions 19

The World's Plan for Marriage 29

A Review of the Definition of Covenant 45

Where Do We Find God's Plan for Marriage? 61

The Covenant of Marriage 71

God's Plan for Marriage: Inform, Conform, Transform 89

Personal Growth in Marriage 125

Transformation in Marriage 171

The Kind of Marriage That Covenant Builds 203

The Parts of God's Plan Most Disdained By the World But Most Necessary for Success: Submission 269

The Parts of God's Plan Most Disdained By the World But Most Necessary for Success: Sexuality 297

God's Plan Under Attack 327

The Covenant of Marriage in Summary 339

Interviews

What is a Covenant and The Covenant of Marriage are Books One and Two in Mark Johnson, M.D.’s Covenant Relationship Series. Dr. Johnson has integrated his own Christian life and Marriage around the historically-correct understanding of Covenant for over thirty years—an understanding completely different from the current thought trends about this form of relationship—testing and proving the material in this book series in personal life, Marriage, family, mentoring, and teaching.


The third and final book of the series is now being written.


The key markets for these books are individuals seeking knowledge of God’s plan for building a relationship with God or a Marriage, Christian leaders oriented toward spiritual growth or family ministry, as well as professional Christian counselors. A market may also be found in the academic community. Marketing outreach will be directed at these varied key audiences. Once this trilogy is completed, teacher’s guides will be developed to allow use of this material in Bible study and teaching venues.


Platform

• Dr. Johnson’s first book series launches his platform as an author. This series will soon be followed by additional books on related topics, which will continue to focus on God’s plan to develop relationships, spiritual growth and maturity.
• A professionally-designed website, now in development, will display the book covers, excerpt, author bio, professionally-developed book trailers, as well as links to media interviews.
• Additional speaking opportunities are planned as books are launched and opportunities become available.

Social Media 

Dr. Johnson has hired a social media firm to assist in developing his social media presence through various venues:

• Posts will be made to Facebook Author Page, and author’s other social media accounts.
• Social media expert will work with author to increase followers.
• All social media will provide link to author website.

Paid Advertising and direct mail 

A substantial investment in paid advertising and direct mail will include:

• Ads run in Parable and Munce Spring/Easter catalogues.
• Direct mailings to key senior pastors, as well as to family life, and discipleship pastors nationwide
• Christian counseling community will be contacted through in trade journals and at conventions. 

Publicity:

National Publicity Firm, Buoyancy Public Relations, has already been retained to seek to obtain publicity for the book launch and post launch. Publicity work is beginning in fall 2019.

• Media Publicity:


• Buoyancy PR will develop a custom list of primary targets for the book to pitch and follow up to obtain media interviews with Christian radio, TV and podcasts whose combined audience is in the millions.
• With the release of the first two titles, a news release will be issued in January to thousands of Christian media and other media outlets including newspapers, magazines, radio and television programs which appeal to the target audience for this book.
• Participation in the National Religious Broadcasters convention in February 2020 just after the release of these first two titles is planned to promote the books both to all attendees of the event through his participation in an exhibition booth, but also by garnering media interviews.
• The publicity campaign will continue for through spring 2020, and possibly longer as additional titles prepare to be released.
• Trade and Reader Reviews:


• Advanced reading copies will be sent out for trade and consumer reviews.
• NetGalley will be used to reach professional readers and reviewers in the month prior to release.
• Book blogger and social media reviewer campaign for reviews will follow in early 2020.
• Industry Events:


• NRB 2020: A dedicated exhibition booth space at NRB in February 2020 is scheduled to promote the books both to all attendees of the event through his participation in an exhibition booth, in addition to garnering media interviews, as outlined above.
• Christian Product Expo International 2020: Author plans to be represented at the second year for the Christian Retail Association’s new Christian retail show.
• In addition, there are plans to access services that will display the book at trade shows he cannot attend.