LOS ANGELES, California. (September 10, 2025) – Great marriages don’t just happen – they’re built, day by day, with intention. And while the U.S. Census Bureau data shows divorce rates in the U.S. are declining, many married couples still dream of having one of “those” relationships – the kind full of laughter, passion, and deep connection. Life’s realities can make that dream feel out of reach, but it doesn’t have to be, says Chelsea Smith, lead Theologian for Churchome. Smith explored this theme in her popular weekly “Marriage Monday” series on Instagram, where it became clear that people were craving guidance, encouragement, and tools to rekindle the spark in their marriage. That longing became the ultimate inspiration for her debut book, ‘I Do’ Today: A 52-Week Guide to the Marriage You’ve Been Waiting For (Zondervan, November 4, 2025), which offers a practical, hopeful path for cultivating stronger, more connected marriages.
Drawing on 25 years of marriage to her husband, Churchome pastor and New York Times best-selling author Judah Smith, she offers couples a 52-week plan to help couples reconnect, rekindle, and truly enjoy their marriage. Along the way, Smith remains refreshingly candid about her own marriage – acknowledging that perfection isn’t the goal – because it doesn’t exist. Every couple faces ups and downs; what matters most is how you navigate those challenges together, not whether you manage to avoid them entirely. She highlights the guiding principle she and Judah live by: wanting God’s will for their lives above all else.
“Why tackle fifty-two weeks of discussions and activities? Because the marriage you’ve always dreamed of is not an impossible dream,” says Smith. “And it doesn’t require making huge, life-altering choices. Instead the small improvements you make week after week with this book will add up and work together to create significant, lasting change.”
Designed as a weekly resource, ‘I Do’ Today invites couples to set aside a few intentional minutes together each week to read a short reflection, discuss a guided prompt, and complete a simple, connection-building activity in a “think about it, talk about it, do something about it” format. ‘I Do’ Today covers topics including:
- Surrendering to God’s will when spouses face different directions in decision-making.
- Experiencing the joy and blessings of serving each other.
- Building intimacy and trust through sex, recognizing it as God’s gift to marriage
- Anchoring your marriage in Christ when navigating the challenges of social media.
Through ‘I Do’Today, Smith reminds readers that the goal is not to have a perfect marriage, but a good marriage: one that adds depth, fun, and joy to your life.
“The best marriages aren’t the ones where both people stay the same forever; they’re the ones where both people commit to growing together — spiritually, emotionally, and even in small areas like shared interests in music or hobbies,” says Smith. “God designed us for growth, and our marriages should reflect that.”
‘I Do’ Today: A 52-Week Guide to the Marriage You’ve Been Waiting For releases November 4, 2025 and is available for pre-order on Amazon. Follow Chelsea on Instagram at @chelseasmith.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chelsea Smith, along with her husband, Judah, leads Churchome, a digitally based faith community and content platform. Chelsea serves as the lead theologian for Churchome and has a master’s degree in theology from Fuller Seminary. Chelsea and Judah have three children.
ABOUT THE PUBLISHER
Zondervan is a HarperCollins company and part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Zondervan is a world leading publisher and provider of Christian communications. The company’s products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan offices are located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For additional information, please visit zondervan.com.
