The Marriage Course

The Marriage Course is for any couple who wants to invest in their relationship, whether you have been together 1 or 61 years and whether you have a strong relationship or are struggling.

What is the course

A seven session course set in a fantastic atmosphere. You will be served with a candlelit meal and/or coffee, tea and dessert at a romantic table for two while listening to practical talks that are informative and fun, either given live or played on DVD.

There is never any group work and you will never be asked to share anything about your relationship with anyone other than your partner.

About the course

The talks are interspersed with filmed clips of couples talking about their experiences of marriage and street interviews from around the world.

Over seven sessions of the course you will discover practical tools to help you:

understand each other’s needs
communicate more effectively
grow closer through resolving conflict
heal the ways you’ve hurt each other
recognise how your upbringing affects your relationship
improve relationships with parents and in-laws
develop greater sexual intimacy
discover each other’s love languages and much, much more!

The Aim

The aim of the marriage course is to help couples grow closer together and build a healthy relationship that will last a lifetime.

Session Topics

Building Strong Foundations – This session helps couples to look at their lifestyle and its effect upon their marriage, and to discover more about each other’s needs and desires – particularly on an emotional level.
The Art of Communication – Listening is a vital skill for a strong marriage. In this session couples practise communicating their feelings and listening effectively to one another.
Resolving Conflict – In this session we look at how couples can increase their intimacy by expressing appreciation to each other, recognising their differences, learning to negotiate disagreements and praying for each other (if they feel comfortable doing so).
The Power of Forgiveness – This session addresses the ways we will inevitably have hurt each other and how to resolve these so we don’t create a backlog of anger and resentment. We look at the process of healing through identifying the hurt, saying sorry and forgiving.
The Impact of Family – Past and Present – This session focuses on helping couples to recognise how their family background affects the way they relate to each other. They also consider how to build a good and healthy relationship with their parents, in-laws and wider family, and how hurt from childhood can be healed.
Good Sex – Sexual intimacy needs to be worked at and developed. It isn’t just the icing on the cake; it’s a vital ingredient of the cake itself. In this session couples are encouraged to talk about their sexual relationship and to recognise where they need to make changes.
Love in Action – This session looks at five ways of expressing love – through words, time, touch, presents and actions. Couples discover which expression of love is most important for their partner and how to put this into practice.

Who is it for?

Are you married or in a long-term cohabiting relationship?
Have you been together for over a year?
Would you like your relationship to be the best it can be?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions then this course is for you!

The Marriage Course is for any couple, whether you have been together for one year or 61 years and whether you feel you have a strong relationship or are struggling.

If you have a strong marriage this course will help you make it even better and will reinforce your good habits.

If on the other hand your marriage is in difficulty, the course will help provide you with very practical tools to help you work through the issues. Some couples who are separated have used the course as a way of trying to get back together.

Whatever your situation, the practical tools you learn will help improve and strengthen

your relationship.

While The Marriage Course is based on Christian principles, it is designed for couples with or without a Christian faith. Many couples who are not churchgoers have commented that the Christian content was presented in a way that did not make them uncomfortable at all.

What can I expect on the course?

The course takes place over seven evenings. A typical evening starts at 7pm and finishes by 9.45pm. Each session includes:

Fantastic atmosphere that many say feels like a date night. Courses are run in all kinds of venues – homes, restaurants, cafes (after hours), community halls, churches, even a cruise ship - but wherever your local course is run you should find a great atmosphere and a friendly welcome.

A meal at a romantic table for two giving you space to relax and chat. You will be served with a candlelit dinner and/or coffee, tea and dessert.

Practical talks that are informative and fun, either given live or played on DVD. They include filmed clips of couples sharing their own experiences and street interviews from around the world.

Coffee and private discussion time as a couple. You will be given topics to discuss (sometimes with the help of an exercise). Music is played so you can’t hear couples on other tables and they can’t hear you!

No group work, so relax - you will not have to share anything about your relationship with anyone else.

Homework - at the end of each session you are given some homework to do together. This will help you to build on what you have learnt and give you the opportunity to apply it to your relationship. Don't worry - it won't be marked! It isn't looked at by anyone else and is just for your own benefit.

What is the cost?

The cost of the course is fully paid for by Sandyford Henderson Memorial Church. It is absolutely free to all guests.

Date of next course

The next course is due to begin in August 2012.

How to register:

Send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with "The Marriage Course" in the subject line. Please provide your names, contact details and dietary requirements.