See an interview with the author
at the Biblical Counseling Coalition -
What Did You Expect?.

Endorsements for the Seminar:

"As a pastor I am always on the lookout for resources that embody both doctrinal precision and practical application. Paul Tripp is consistently faithful to both. This conference has been a blessing both to me and those I serve. Will our marriages be characterized by ministry or manipulation? Will my relationship with my spouse be an expression of worship to God or a casualty of idolatry? The truth presented in these sessions is not always easy to hear but it is profoundly good."
- Todd Pruitt, Teaching Pastor, Church of the Saviour, Wayne, Pennsylvania

"In troubled times, God’s truth deserves a clear voice characterized by uncompromising truth and passionate grace. Paul’s conference presents just that: a clear challenge to examine our hearts based on the Gospel, and a compelling reminder of our own standing in grace, which then pours out into our closest relationships. Thanks to God for His gracious work in Paul’s life and ministry to others desiring to connect the truths of the gospel to daily life."
- Michael Boys, Lead Pastor, Bethel Church of Houston

"Paul Tripp’s ministry to our church through the marriage conference, What Did You Expect?: Redeeming the Realities of Marriage was pure grace. We give thanks for Paul's insightful biblical approach to understanding the essential issues in marriage as well as his humorous and realistic approach to married life. The conference accomplished all that we hoped for by helping our couples center their marriages around the gospel of grace.
- Todd Augustine, Pastor of Congregational Life, College Church, Wheaton, Illinois

Challenges in marriage are inevitable, but the focus of marriage counseling and advice so often is on the behavioral techniques that will make circumstances better. Paul exposes that band-aid approach for what it is and lays out the foundational Biblical truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a way that practically connects to our “every day” lives as husbands and wives. It is only a few days since Paul Tripp was here, and I have heard significant feedback that many in our church are thinking deeply about the truth Paul presented. Thanks to Paul and his team for such faithful teaching and encouragement.
- Erik Salwen, Bethel Church of Houston

Endorsements for the Book:

"Noel and I listened to most of this book driving in the car! Wise words. Authentic experience. Provocative application. Turned a long trip into a fruitful two-person marriage seminar."
- John Piper, Pastor for Preaching and Vision, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis

"When Paul Tripp teaches, preaches, or writes he does so through the lens of the gospel. In What Did You Expect?, Paul faithfully and brilliantly lets the gospel bear its weight on the messiness and beauty of marriage. I, personally, found the book to be helpful, and we use it extensively at The Village."
- Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor, The Village Church, Highland Village, Texas; author of The Explicit Gospel

"The reason What Did You Expect? is so powerful is not because Paul Tripp is a marriage expert with tips and tricks to fix your problems, it’s because his teaching is drenched in the gospel and the Word of God. This honest book will help you see yourself and your spouse in a new light as it shows you who Jesus is and how to connect his redeeming grace to the daily realities of your marriage. Singles and engaged couples will benefit from it, too."
- Joshua Harris, Senior Pastor, Covenant Life Church, Gaithersburg, Maryland

"Paul Tripp understands, like few others, how grace alone can transform your marriage. With great honesty and clarity, Paul makes the liberating point that when the only thing you have to offer your spouse is your acknowledged weaknesses and wimpishness, your realized faults and failures, and your recognized inabilities and incompetence, the grace of God shows up. And when grace reigns in a relationship, scorekeeping comes to an end and we become free from the slavish burden of having to fix one another. If you’re going to read one book on marriage, read this one."
- Tullian Tchividjian, Pastor, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church; author of Jesus + Nothing = Everything

"What I've come to expect from Paul Tripp is consistently deep, transparent, biblical, wise, practical, gospel-driven counsel. Rather than muddying the water with self-focused strategies designed to meet our ever-multiplying needs, Paul, as the seasoned soul-physician he is, correctly diagnoses our problems and provides the cure—humble faith in Jesus Christ. I wasn't disappointed. You won't be either."
- Elyse M. Fitzpatrick, author of Because He Loves Me and Comforts from the Cross

"Paul Tripp brings many years of counseling, growth as a husband, and deepening discovery of the liberating power of grace to this realistic and challenging guide to God's engagement in redeeming marriages that are threatened by complacency, misunderstanding, and selfishness. The Bible's message of the humbling and healing power of Christ's mercy and the powerful presence of his Spirit in our homes comes through loud and clear. The daily practicality of gospel doctrine is made crystal clear by Tripp's transparency about his personal missteps in becoming a Christ-reflecting husband and the many examples of couples who have discovered that they are sinners married to sinners. But that the third, divine Party in marriage gives hope and change when unrealistic expectations are shattered and when we confront our sin. But be warned: Tripp's diagnostic questions are downright uncomfortable. Even those with strong marriages by God's grace will find their deep tendencies toward self-coronation challenged!"
- Dennis E. Johnson, Professor of Practical Theology, Westminster Seminary California

"At once deeply theological and practically relevant, this is one of the top books on marriage I have ever read. Paul Tripp allows readers to examine marriage through a biblical lens so that we understand how God can graciously heal our hurting homes. As a pastor, I will implore our people to read this book as soon as it is available."
- Chris Brauns, Pastor, The Red Brick Church, Stillman Valley, Illinois; author of Unpacking Forgiveness

"Paul Tripp issues a challenge for couples to roll up their sleeves, get to work, and do what it takes to build a God-honoring relationship. He presents six commitments for couples to make, and contained within each is insightful, practical, and effective advice on how to construct a loving, growing, grace-soaked marriage."
- Mary A. Kassian, Professor of Women's Studies, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; author of Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild