Kimberley Hahn takes us back to the One who designed marriage in the first place. God's wonderful plan for the family is clearly revealed in the time-tested teachings of the Catholic Church.

Hahn offers a fresh but deeply rooted perspective on the true meaning of marital love and its implications for a number of significant issues: natural family planning, contraception, infertility, abortion, sterilization, and miscarriage. She draws from Scripture and Church teachings as well as poignant personal experiences from dozens of families who share their stories. Their testimony will help you rediscover the path of prayer, sacrifice, and self-discipline that God intends for married couples--the path of life-giving love.

"Spouses and children do not come with manuals and the learning curve can be very steep. Still, the Lord has an abundance of grace for each of us."--From the Introduction

The first in a series of Bible studies based on Proverbs 31, Chosen and Cherished gives readers the tools to build their marriage on the firm foundation of faith. Kimberly Hahn applies Scripture, Church teaching and pastoral wisdom to such practical matters as conflict resolution, communication skills, setting financial goals, healing the wounds of unfaithfulness and cultivating a spirit of generosity toward your spouse. Discussion questions help readers apply the material to their own lives and make the book a valuable resource for small group discussion. Chosen and Cherished is also available on DVDs featuring a lively presentation of the material by the author.

Life-Nurturing Love--a series designed to build stronger, healthier marriages and families

"Spouses and children do not come with manuals and the learning curve can be very steep. Still, the Lord has an abundance of grace for each of us."--From the Introduction

The first in a series of Bible studies based on Proverbs 31, Chosen and Cherished gives readers the tools to build their marriage on the firm foundation of faith. Kimberly Hahn applies Scripture, Church teaching and pastoral wisdom to such practical matters as conflict resolution, communication skills, setting financial goals, healing the wounds of unfaithfulness and cultivating a spirit of generosity toward your spouse.

* Boxed set includes the book and 3 DVDs.
* DVDs feature Kimberly Hahn's lively presentation, in six sessions, of the Chosen and Cherished material to a seminar audience.
* Valuable resource for small group viewing and discussion.
* Discussion questions help readers apply the material to their own lives.

1. NATURAL LAW AND BIRTH CONTROL

In this tape, Scott Hahn discusses the classical reasons why Christian teachers have opposed contraception based on the "natural law" definitions of what is good for human beings and what leads to their ultimate happiness. Hahn shows how this philosophic tradition, while still legitimate and persuasive, has been complemented in recent years by a more "personalist" understanding of sexuality and the body. This "peronalist" orientation is best exemplified by the teachings of Pope John Paul II, who emphasizes the "mutual selfgiving" of marital love and its full expression in children.

2. MARRIAGE COVENANT AND BIRTH CONTROL

In this tape, Scott Hahn reviews the historical teaching of Christianity, from the earliest days of the church up through and including all the Protestant reformers, against contraception. Although many people today believe that contraception is simply a "Catholic issue", Hahn discovered, in the seminary, that for 400 years every single major Protestant denomination condemned contraception as a sin against God. It was not until the Lambreth Conference of 1930 that the Anglican Church first considered the possibibility that contraception might be a legitimate choice - but only for grave and serious reasons. The revolution in Christian teaching regarding contraception occurred in a few short years - and the results, in terms of abortion, divorce and illegitimate children, are now becoming apparent.

3. THE BIBLE AND BIRTH CONTROL

Declaring that "sex was God's idea", Kimberley Hahn explains in this final tape of the series how an intense study of the Bible helped to focus her mind and heart on what is at stake in the controverary over birth control. By exploring the theme of the covenant that is so central to the thinking of her husband, Kimberly shows how marital, procreative sexuality is an expression of God's covenant with his people, a kind of sacrament. That sacramental sign of the covenant is profaned, she says, by contraception. Kimberly cites passage after passage, in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, which show that children are considered a blessing from God to be welcomed with joy--not a curse to be avoided.