The Marriage Preparation Course

A five session course designed to help engaged couples develop strong foundations for a lasting marriage.

What is the course

A five session course set in a fantastic atmosphere. You will be served with a candlelit meal and/or coffee, tea and dessert in a romantic setting 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.

Why do the course

If you’re like most people you prepare and plan for many things in life: education, career, retirement and holidays. And most couples spend up to 250 hours planning their wedding, but very little time, if any, planning for married life. There are many things you can do to begin building a lifelong, happy marriage. Investing in your relationship before you are married will reap rewards for many years to come.

About the course

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

Over five sessions of the course you will discover practical tools to help you build the foundations for a lasting marriage. You will look at:

the importance of commitment

how to recognise and appreciate your differences

the art of communication

resolving conflict

the importance of spending time together and nurturing your friendship

making each other feel loved

developing a good sexual relationship

the importance of talking about your goals, values and dreams

The Aim

The aim of the marriage preparation course is to help couples lay foundations for a relationship that will last a lifetime.

Session Topics

Communication. This session helps couples see how important effective communication is for a strong marriage and how communication is affected by personality, family background and circumstances. Couples look at what it means to talk about their feelings and they practise listening to each other.
Commitment. Commitment lies at the heart of the marriage covenant and is reflected in the marriage service vows. In this session couples consider the meaning of these vows and then look at how to live out this commitment th rough making quality time for each other on a regular basis and separating appropriately from their parents.
Resolving Conflict. Conflict can either destroy a marriage or, if handled well, strengthen it. Couples consider how to handle anger, appreciate their differences, look for solutions together and practice forgiveness. Organising finances, a primary cause of conflict in marriage is also addressed.
Keeping Love Alive. This session looks at how love must be deliberately nurtured in a marriage through couples nurturing their friendship, discovering how the other feels loved and developing their sexual relationship
Shared Goals and Values. While appreciating their differences, couples need to agree on their goals and core values. In this session couples have the opportunity to discuss their priorities for the future, the roles they expect to fulfil and the building of spiritual togetherness.

Who is it for?

Are you engaged or seriously considering marriage?

Do you want to have the best possible start to your marriage?

If you answered yes to these questions then The Marriage Preparation Course is for you.

The Marriage Preparation Course is for any engaged couple who wants to give their marriage the best possible start. It doesn't matter how long you have been engaged - some couples have set a wedding date, while others have not. Or if you have been living together and would like to explore the idea of getting married, or if one or both of you have been married before.

Whilst the course is based on Christian principles, it is designed for all couples with or without a church background. You do not need to be getting married in a church to come on the course.

What can I expect on the course?

The course takes place over five 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 - you will probably sit together with two other engaged couples and a married couple known as a ‘support couple’ (they will be your hosts for the course). You can chat to the others or just use the time to talk to each other. At no time on the course will you have to disclose anything personal to anyone else.

Practical talks that are informative and fun, either given live or played on DVD. They include filmed clips of couples talking about their own experiences of marriage.

Coffee and discussion time as a couple. You will be given opportunities to discuss the topics with your fiancé(e). Music is played so you can’t hear couples 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.

New Course Starting Soon!

The new Marriage Preparation Course will run from 17 February - 16 March on 5 Fridays from 7pm-9.30pm

Leaders: Patrick and Pamela Smith

To register, contact us here.