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Free Christian Pre-Marriage Counseling Materials: Preparing for a Godly Union
Are you and your partner excitedly planning your wedding? Amidst the flurry of wedding planning, it's crucial to remember the foundation of your marriage: your relationship with God and each other. Navigating the complexities of marriage requires preparation, and thankfully, a wealth of free Christian pre-marriage counseling materials exists to guide you. This comprehensive guide unveils valuable resources to help you build a strong, God-centered marriage, ensuring you start your journey together on solid footing. We'll explore various formats, from online courses and workbooks to downloadable guides and insightful articles, all readily available at your fingertips.
Why Christian Pre-Marriage Counseling is Essential
Before diving into the resources, let's underscore the importance of pre-marriage counseling, especially within a Christian framework. Marriage is a sacred covenant, a partnership ordained by God. Pre-marriage counseling helps couples:
Establish a strong spiritual foundation: It fosters open communication about your faith, beliefs, and how spirituality will integrate into your daily lives as a couple.
Identify and address potential conflicts: Openly discussing expectations, finances, family dynamics, and future goals before marriage can prevent significant issues down the line.
Develop healthy communication and conflict-resolution skills: Learning these skills proactively is crucial for navigating disagreements and maintaining a healthy relationship.
Understand each other's love languages: Recognizing how you and your partner best express and receive love can enhance intimacy and understanding.
Strengthen commitment and intimacy: The process helps solidify your commitment and fosters a deeper emotional connection before you say "I do."
Where to Find Free Christian Pre-Marriage Counseling Materials
The internet offers a surprisingly rich source of free Christian pre-marriage counseling materials. However, be discerning and prioritize resources from reputable organizations and trusted Christian ministries.
#### 1. Online Courses and Programs:
Many churches and Christian organizations offer free online pre-marriage courses. These often include video lessons, downloadable worksheets, and discussion prompts. Look for websites of prominent Christian denominations or ministries specializing in marriage and family counseling. Search for keywords like "free online Christian pre-marriage course" or "pre-marital Bible study."
#### 2. Downloadable Workbooks and Guides:
Numerous websites offer free downloadable workbooks and guides covering various aspects of pre-marriage preparation. These can provide structured exercises and discussions to help you navigate crucial topics like communication, finances, and conflict resolution within a Christian context.
#### 3. Blogs and Articles:
Christian blogs and websites often publish articles addressing pre-marriage topics. These can provide valuable insights and practical advice on building a strong, God-honoring marriage. Search for articles focusing on specific challenges couples face, such as blended families or financial disagreements.
#### 4. Podcasts:
Christian podcasts can be an excellent resource for on-the-go learning. Search for podcasts focusing on marriage, relationships, or pre-marriage advice within the Christian faith. You can listen to these during commutes or while doing household chores.
#### 5. YouTube Channels:
Many Christian counselors and ministries offer free videos on YouTube covering pre-marriage topics. These videos can provide visual explanations and practical guidance for navigating common pre-marriage challenges.
Tips for Utilizing Free Resources Effectively
Choose resources that align with your beliefs: Ensure the materials reflect your theological perspective and resonate with your faith journey.
Schedule dedicated time: Set aside regular time to work through the materials together, ensuring focused discussion and reflection.
Create a safe and open environment: Foster a comfortable space where you both feel safe expressing your thoughts and feelings honestly.
Pray together: Seek God's guidance and wisdom as you work through the materials, asking for His blessing on your marriage.
Don't rely solely on free resources: While free materials are a valuable starting point, consider supplementing them with professional counseling if needed.
Conclusion
Embarking on the journey of marriage requires thoughtful preparation, and utilizing free Christian pre-marriage counseling materials is a fantastic way to build a solid foundation for a God-centered union. By actively engaging with these resources and prioritizing open communication and prayer, you can confidently step into your marriage, ready to face challenges and celebrate triumphs together. Remember, while these resources offer invaluable guidance, professional counseling can provide personalized support tailored to your unique circumstances. Don't hesitate to seek professional help if you feel it's necessary.
FAQs
1. Are free resources as effective as paid counseling? Free resources provide valuable foundational knowledge. However, paid counseling offers personalized guidance and deeper insights into your specific dynamics. They are complementary, not mutually exclusive.
2. What if we disagree on certain aspects of our faith? Pre-marriage counseling helps you address these differences respectfully and find common ground, understanding potential points of conflict and how to navigate them constructively.
3. How much time should we dedicate to these materials? Dedicate at least a few hours per week for focused discussion and reflection. The amount of time depends on the chosen materials' length and depth.
4. Can these resources help with blended families? Yes, many resources address the unique challenges of blended families, focusing on communication, boundary setting, and integrating different family dynamics.
5. Are there resources available in different languages? While English is prevalent, search for keywords in your specific language to find materials available in other languages. Many organizations translate materials to make them globally accessible.
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts Les Parrott, Leslie Parrott, 2015-10-27 OVER ONE MILLION COPIES SOLD! With this updated edition of their award-winning book, Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott help you launch lifelong love like never before. This is more than a book--it's an experience, especially when you use the his/her workbooks filled with more than 40 fun exercises. Get ready for deeper intimacy with the best friend you'll ever have. Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts, which has been translated into more than 15 languages, is the most widely used marriage prep tool in the world. Why? Because it will help you . . . Uncover the misbeliefs of marriage Learn to communicate with instant understanding Discover the secret to resolving conflict Master the skills of money management Get your sex life off to a great start A compelling video, featuring real-life couples, is available, and with this updated edition, Les and Leslie unveil the game-changing SYMBIS Assessment. Now you can discover how to leverage your personalities for a love that lasts a lifetime. Make your marriage everything it is meant to be. Save your marriage--before (and after) it starts. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: Ready to Wed Greg Smalley, Erin Smalley, 2015-04-16 Are You Planning a Wedding or Preparing for a Marriage? Like most engaged couples, you’re researching venues, trying on dresses and picking out tuxedos or suits, tasting sample dishes, dreaming of honeymoon destinations, and doing everything to ensure your wedding day is the event of a lifetime. But as more seasoned couples will tell you, there’s more to a marriage than a wedding. A lot more. How do you build a marriage that you’ve dreamed of? Dr. Greg Smalley, vice president of marriage at Focus on the Family, and his wife, Erin, along with 14 marriage experts, serve as your marriage guides as you prepare for life beyond the wedding day. From how to handle those everyday conflicts to how to better connect on a spiritual level, they’ll show you how to get ready for a lifetime of commitment. When the flowers have faded and the last morsel of cake has been eaten, you’ll stand with your new spouse, ready to face life together. Equip yourself for a marriage that lasts by learning: How to leave your parents (while still honoring them) and cleave to your spouse Why spiritual intimacy is key to a lasting relationship Why the language of love is communication (and how to build it) How to manage conflict in a healthy, God-honoring way Why sexual intimacy in your marriage will be the gift that keeps on giving Invest in a marriage that will last for decades. Are you ready? |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: Christian Premarital Counseling Paul Bucknell, 2014-09-11 Christian Premarital Counseling for counselors. The question is, How does one conduct premarital counseling? Many have not received any training in this area. I faced this same problem. As a pastor, I had to figure out how to conduct premarital counseling. The benefits were plainly evident. Session by session, couple by couple, I finally figured out a plan. I have since then enhanced it a bit and made it available to others. Everything one needs is here including handouts and forms with many downloads to enhance use in our internet age.Purpose: To aid pastors, elders and other church leaders involved in premarital counseling to challenge and prepare engaged couples to have good and godly marriages. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: The Meaning of Marriage Timothy Keller, Kathy Keller, 2013-11-05 Describes what marriage should be according to the Bible, arguing that marriage is a tool to bring individuals closer to God, and provides meaningful instruction on how to have a successful marriage. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: The Pre-marriage Course Sila Lee, 2020-04-14 Nicky and Sila Lee present the five sessions which make up ThePre-Marriage Course. Their talks are interspersed with thoughts from couples who have taken the course, as well as street interviews and marriage insights from around the world. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: Catching Foxes John Henderson, 2018 Why Are Foxes on the Cover of this Premartial Guide? Because every marriage has foxes lurking inside it! We all have idols and selfish appetites-and, like the foxes in Solomon's vineyard, they can cause untold destruction and heartache. In fact, how seriously a couple takes their own foxes will influence whether their marriage blooms and glorifies God, or is a shallow and pale imitation of the real thing. In this workbook for both individuals and groups, biblical counselor John Henderson stimulates meaningful conversation and prayer between engaged couples. The book's interactive format provides couples with a foundation for understanding what marriage is really about, becoming a godly husband or wife, and understanding conflict and resolving it biblically. Sit down together, ask a married couple to come alongside you, and get ready to chase the foxes out of your relationship. Book jacket. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: Gospel-Centered Family Counseling Robert W. PhD Kellemen, 2020-09-15 Pastors and counselors regularly minister to people whose marriages or families are in crisis. Tempers run high and feelings are brought low when a marriage is hurting or a family is in disarray. Pastors and counselors need practical, biblical help in order to connect their theological training to the reality of modern messy relationships. These how-to training manuals provide relevant, user-friendly equipping for pastors, counselors, lay leaders, educators, and students, enabling them to competently and compassionately relate God's Word to marriage and family life. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: Preparing for Marriage John Piper, 2018-03 Getting to know that special someone naturally involves learning about family and friends, education and athletics, favorite pastimes, and your hopes and dreams. Ideally, you'll talk about life's best moments and worst, the brightest places in your background and the darkest.But what about God? What is his role in your relationship? What do each of you believe about him, and how do you understand his dream for marriage-for your marriage?John Piper wants to help you faithfully walk the road to becoming husband and wife. Here you'll find his counsel on practical topics like engagement, wedding planning, finances, and sex. But most importantly, John shares his most vital word on marriage: a vision grander than many of us have ever dared to dream, about what God is doing in every Christian marriage. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: You and Me Forever Lisa Chan, Francis Chan, 2024-09-18 In the same way Francis Chan’s book Crazy Love changes the way we see our relationship with God, You and Me Forever by Francis and his wife, Lisa, radically shifts the way we see our relationship with our spouse. Marriage can be great … but how would your marriage flourish if you focused on something even greater? Ideal for couples and singles who want to experience God in a new way, this countercultural book: Equips us to pursue a marriage that radiates God’s glory Motivates us to make courageous decisions based on devotion to Jesus Helps us prepare ourselves and our loved ones for eternity Shows us how living with an eternal lens sharpens our focus on the here and now Unlike marriage books that narrow our attention to the marriage itself, You and Me Forever shows how to prioritize our eternal relationship with our Creator above all things—because only when two people are right with God will they be right with each other. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: No More Perfect Marriages Jill Savage, Mark Savage, 2017-02-07 “Many people say you can fix a broken marriage, but Mark and Jill show you how.” —Dr. Juli Slattery, psychologist, author, and president of Authentic Intimacy No marriage is perfect. But every marriage can get better. Do you feel like the spark is gone? Like a critical spirit has invaded your marriage? Like you want more intimacy, but something is in the way? You could be suffering from the Perfection Infection. The Perfection Infection happens when we cultivate unrealistic expectations of ourselves and our spouse, gradually leading to intimacy-killing behavior, also known as the “Seven Slow Fades.” That was the case for Jill and Mark Savage, and it eventually led to infidelity. In No More Perfect Marriages they speak honestly about their struggles, how they came back from betrayal, and the principles keeping their marriage strong today. They guide you in everything you need to know to kick the Perfection Infection right out and return to intimacy. In their warm, honest, personable style, Jill and Mark discuss: How the Perfection Infection invades a marriage—even a good marriage How to detect and correct the Seven Slow Fades How to set and communicate realistic expectations What to do if your spouse just won’t change How to guard your marriage from the Perfection Infection for good Hurting marriages can heal, and good marriages can become great. It takes work, yes, but No More Perfect Marriages will give you the insights, language, and roadmap you need for the journey. So start today. GROUP RESOURCES: A leader’s guide is included in the back of the book. FREE video curriculum and additional group resources are available for No More Perfect Marriages at www.NoMorePerfect.com. _____ “[Replaces] the Hollywood mirage of a storybook romance with a healthy blueprint of a real and rock-solid relationships. If you're looking for an authentic story, practical how-to, and hope to build true and lasting love, you've found it. — Michele Cushatt, author, Undone: A Story of Making Peace With An Unexpected Life “… Will empower readers to create healthier responses when facing marital challenges… Excited [to add it] to our recommended resources for couples. — Michelle Nietert, licensed counselor “Vulnerable, honest, and helpful… If you want to improve, save, restore, or renew your marriage, read this book.” — Mike Baker, sr. pastor, Eastview Christian Church, Normal, Illinois “Encouraging and very practical!” — Shaunti Feldhahn, social researcher and bestselling author of For Women Only and For Men Only |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: Marriage Course Guest Manual Nicky Lee, Sila Lee, 2018-08-21 Marriage Course, developed by Nicky and Sila Lee, is a seven-session study for couples to obtain the tools to build a strong and healthy relationship that lasts a lifetime.The manual highlights the key points from the talks and contains all of the exercises with plenty of room for making notes. The course covers: An Introduction to Marriage Course Building Strong Foundations The Art of Communication Resolving Conflict Forgiveness The Impact of Family - past and present Good Sex Love in Action Marriage Course Party Coping with Times of Separation (optional session) Marriage Course serves as a bridge between the church and local community by recognizing the need to go beyond the social, as well as physical, walls of the church to help couples with their relationships. The courses are easy to run, and the talks are also available on DVD (sold separately). If you enjoy hosting people and have a passion for strengthening family life, you could run a course! |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: The Hard Questions Susan Piver, 2007-12-27 From Time magazine and USA Today to O, The Oprah Magazine, the media has raved about this life-changing New York Times bestseller. Now, just in time for Valentine's Day, comes this beautiful hardcover edition. Complete with new material, The Hard Questions is now being published in the same keepsake format as The Hard Questions for an Authentic Life. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: Tying the Knot Rob Green, 2016-01-13 Tying the Knot by Rob Green offers soon-to-be-married couples a practical vision of Christ-centered marriage that is realistic, hopeful, and actionable. With homework to help any counselor or couple put crucial lessons into practice, Tying the Knot is a highly relevant premarital counseling book. This eight-session study guides couples through issues like conflict, expectations, communication, finances, and intimacy, showing how each can be successfully resolved with Christ at the center of the marriage. Knowing the stresses and needs of a couple in their season of engagement, Green has helpfully designed the study to require a manageable (and healthy) 60 minutes of at-home work per session, with questions and exercises to build communication and intimacy at the end of each chapter. Tying the Knot also includes an appendix for mentors, making it easy for a married couple, lay leader, or counselor to lead an engaged couple through the book. Field-tested and recommended by multiple counselors in a thriving counseling practice, Tying the Knot has already guided many couples into a stronger and more joyful union. Let this eight-week premarital study reorient your life and marriage around Christ, so you both will experience all the blessings of marriage as God designed it. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: A Christ-Centered Wedding Catherine Parks, Linda Strode, 2014-05 A guide for believers who want their wedding to portray the relationship of Christ with the church and to reflect the gospel to all in attendance. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: Preparing for Your Marriage William J. McRae, 1980 A growing number of young people are so disillusioned with marriage that it is no longer even a desirable option for them. Preparing for Your Marriage prepares couples to enter into marriage with realistic expectations, developed roles, and with defined responsibilities and goals. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: The Meaning of Marriage Study Guide Timothy Keller, Kathy Keller, 2015-09-29 Timothy and Kathy Keller will show you a portrait of marriage as it's meant to be according to the Bible...by first throwing out most of what we've been taught about love. Modern culture would have you believe that everyone has a soul mate; that romance is the most important part of a successful marriage; that marriage does not mean 'til death do us part, but merely for as long as my needs are being met; and that when serious differences arise, divorce is the best solution. But all of these modern-day assumptions miss what marriage is really about. In this six-session video-based Bible study (DVD/digital video sold separately), Timothy Keller, along with Kathy, his wife of forty years, draws a profound portrait of marriage from the pages of Scripture that neither idealizes nor rejects the institution but points us back to the relationship between God and man. The result is a vision for marriage that is refreshingly frank and unsentimental, yet hopeful and beautiful. This study is for anyone from singles to couples considering marriage to those who have been married for any length of time. Sessions include: Service: Marriage Isn't about You Covenant: Created to Make Promises Roles: Loving through Mutual Submission Singleness: Strengthening the Spiritual Family Sex: The Act of Covenant Renewal Hope: Seeing the Great Horizon Designed for use with The Meaning of Marriage Video Study (sold separately). |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: Love After Marriage Barry Byrne, Lori Byrne, 2012-04-30 God intends marriages to be filled with love. Why are so many faltering with distrust, anger, and contempt? The authors of Love After Marriage believe that the Holy Spirit is ready to pour out healing and anointing on couples who seek God for themselves and their family. Using the book's proven strategies, based on the successful Love After Marriage workshops, couples can bring an atmosphere of loving transparency and vulnerability into their relationship and develop a beautiful God-designed intimacy that can last throughout their life together. Couples will find clear teaching on God's perspective of marriage, as well as methods for listening to the Holy Spirit and tools to develop the breakthroughs the Spirit brings to their marriage. They will be refreshed by the knowledge marriage can be deeply enjoyable even if it is a little hard work. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: Together Forever ~ God's Design for Marriage Wright Ed, Wright Angie, 2017-11-30 As you begin preparing for your big wedding day, this Marriage by GOD program is designed to assist you in preparing for a BIG MARRIAGE. Using the companion counselor's guide, a mature Christian couple can come beside you and mentor you through biblical principles and time-tested techniques for fulfilling God's great plan for marriage. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: Happily Ever After Gary Chapman, 2011-12-09 “My husband and I can't seem to agree on anything!” “You spent how much!?!” “My wife's parents are driving me crazy!” ”You never listen to me!” Let's face it—even the best of marriages hit an occasional bump in the road now and then. The secret to marital bliss lies in how you and your spouse handle those bumps. In Happily Ever After, Gary Chapman, the man “who wrote the book” on how to communicate with your spouse, shows couples how to successfully navigate the six most common problems that couples face: fighting fair, negotiating change, managing money, getting along with your in-laws, raising kids, and maintaining a healthy sex life. Drawing on more than 30 years of counseling experience, Dr. Chapman provides real-world examples and practical, battle-tested advice that will help you and your spouse better understand and communicate with each other as well as grow as a couple for many years to come. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: Preparing for Marriage God's Way: A Step-By-Step Guide for Marriage Success Before and After the Wedding Wayne Mack, 2013-10 The decision to marry a certain person is one of the most important you'll ever make. It's vital to go into that marriage informed and prepared! Preparing for Marriage God's Way is a marriage counseling resource that uses thoughtful self-examination to reveal the personalities, background, and expectations that you and your partner are bringing to your union. Through rigorous Bible study, you will learn about God's expectations for marriage and be equipped with his solutions for dealing with typical marriage conflicts. Three follow-up lessons after the wedding help you to reflect on all that's happened after you said, I do. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work John Gottman, PhD, Nan Silver, 2015-05-05 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Over a million copies sold! “An eminently practical guide to an emotionally intelligent—and long-lasting—marriage.”—Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work has revolutionized the way we understand, repair, and strengthen marriages. John Gottman’s unprecedented study of couples over a period of years has allowed him to observe the habits that can make—and break—a marriage. Here is the culmination of that work: the seven principles that guide couples on a path toward a harmonious and long-lasting relationship. Straightforward yet profound, these principles teach partners new approaches for resolving conflicts, creating new common ground, and achieving greater levels of intimacy. Gottman offers strategies and resources to help couples collaborate more effectively to resolve any problem, whether dealing with issues related to sex, money, religion, work, family, or anything else. Packed with new exercises and the latest research out of the esteemed Gottman Institute, this revised edition of The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work is the definitive guide for anyone who wants their relationship to attain its highest potential. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: The Bible Teacher's Guide Gregory Brown, 2014-11-11 The letter of 1 Peter was written to persecuted Christians scattered throughout the Roman Empire. It was meant to both encourage and instruct them on how to live as pilgrims in a hostile society. This message is still relevant today. Christ declared that in the end times believers would be hated by all nations because of him (Matthew 24:9). With the continuing culture shift, animosity and persecution towards Christians is increasing at an alarming rate. Over four hundred Christians are martyred every day, and more saints have died for the faith in the last century than all the previous combined. The words of 1 Peter are a message of hope, desperately needed to encourage and prepare the Church for what lies ahead. Let's journey through Peter's letter together with the aid of The Bible Teacher's Guide. Expositional, theological, and candidly practical! I highly recommend the Bible Teacher's Guide for anyone seeking to better understand or teach God's Word. Dr. Young-Gil Kim, Founding President of Handong Global University This study could be used by pastors as an aid for sermon preparation, by small group leaders, or by any believer who wants to understand and apply God's Word personally. I can't imagine any student of Scripture not benefiting by this work. Steven J. Cole, Pastor, Flagstaff Christian Fellowship. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: From This Day Forward Craig Groeschel, Amy Groeschel, 2014-10-28 A must-read for pre-married as well as long-married couples, Craig and Amy Groeschel explore the time-tested wisdom able to guide you and your spouse into the marriage you've always wanted. Everyone dreams of a fairytale marriage--the perfect spouse, the perfect home, the perfect family. But reality tells us that these expectations don't hold up very long. Many studies indicate that close to fifty percent of marriages don't make it. With those odds, is it even possible to have a good marriage--let alone a great one? New York Times bestselling author and pastor Craig Groeschel insists you can . . . but not if you approach it like everyone else does. Perfect for single adults, engaged couples, and married couples alike, Craig and his wife, Amy, show you how to conquer the odds and find the joy, passion, and strength of a marriage built by God. Craig and Amy open their hearts, share personal experiences, and walk you through five powerful commitments you can make to fail-proof your marriage: Seek God Fight fair Have fun Stay pure Never give up If you earnestly choose to do all five of these things, you will discover a richer, deeper, more authentic marriage. Starting right now--from this day forward. Spanish edition also available, as well as a video study and study guide. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: The Story of Marriage Interactive Book John Bevere, Lisa Bevere, 2015-05-01 |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: Counsel for Couples Jonathan D. Holmes, 2019-03-05 Many pastors feel ill-equipped to handle the challenges that arise when a couple is going through marital difficulties. If you are or have been in this situation before, this book shows church leaders how to counsel married couples from both a logical and biblical perspective. Author and pastor Jonathan Holmes offers you a practical guide to get started with the first sessions and then offers specific guidance on nine of the most common topics that come up in marriage counseling. In Counsel for Couples, Holmes provides you with: a biblical methodology that navigates you through the world of marriage counseling based on God’s word a theological counseling approach addressing the deepest of marital issues advice from several respected voices in the biblical counseling community In each chapter, you'll meet a new couple dealing with a different issue, much like the people in your church, office, and neighborhood. Whether you're a novice or already knowledgeable, Counsel for Couples provides theologically sound and biblically practical tools to help you as you help couples in need. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: How We Love, Expanded Edition Milan Yerkovich, Kay Yerkovich, 2009-01-20 Did you know the last fight you had with your spouse began long before you even met? Are you tired of falling into frustrating relational patterns in your marriage? Do you and your spouse fight about the same things again and again? Relationship experts Milan and Kay Yerkovich explain why the ways you and your spouse relate to each other go back to before you even met. Drawing on the powerful tool of attachment theory, Milan and Kay explore how your childhood created an “intimacy imprint” that affects your marriage today. Their stories and practical ideas help you: * identify your personal love style * understand how your early life impacts you and your spouse * break free from painful patterns that keep you stuck * find healing for the source of conflict, not just the symptoms * create the close, nourishing relationship you dream about Revised throughout with all-new material and additional visual diagrams, this expanded edition of How We Love will bring vibrant life to your marriage. Are you ready for a new journey of love? Note: The revised and expanded How We Love Workbook is available separately. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: Strengthening Your Marriage Wayne A. Mack, 1999 This valuable counseling aid for pastors can also be used with great benefit by couples on their own. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: To Love, Honor, and Vacuum Sheila Wray Gregoire, 2014 Sheila speaks to both the heart and habits of the woman who is wife and mother. The lessons in this book are biblical, doable, and affordable!--Margaret B. Buchanan From advertisements to mommy blogs to Pinterest, scenes of domestic bliss abound, painting a picture of perfection and expectation nearly impossible to live up to. Why can't you work a full-time job, stylishly clothe yourself and your children, plan a party for twelve with handmade decorations, keep your house sparkling clean without chemicals, and bake a gourmet meal in the same day? Everyone else is doing it! For many women, housework has become more than chores that need to be done; it is a symbol of identity. Sheila Wray Gregoire wants to stop that thinking in its tracks and help women back to a life of balance--for their sakes and for their families. She encourages women to shift their focus from housekeeping to relationships and shows them how to foster responsibility and respect in all family members. The second edition retains the helpful, concrete advice on everyday situations such as strategies for tackling chores and budgets and tips on effective communication, while incorporating the wisdom Sheila has gained through her interaction with thousands of readers of her blog and through her speaking ministry over the past ten years. Through the principles in To Love, Honor, and Vacuum, Gregoire promises readers they can grow and thrive in the midst of their hectic lives--even if their circumstances stay the same. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: Marriage in Modern Life Anne Brennan Malec, 2015-05-15 Your Essential Guidebook for a Thriving Marriage Communication, support, affection, and encouragement are among the most important life skills that you need for marital success. Yet, they are rarely taught in a classroom. In our culture, these skills too often default to our upbringing coupled with hope the marriage will be loving, adventurous, and fulfilling. The reality is modern marriages encounter complex obstacles requiring more teamwork than ever before. Dr. Anne Brennan Malec helps you look past the planning and excitement of the nuptials to prepare you and your spouse for a happy, life-long relationship. You will learn proven ways to: Break unuseful day-to-day habits and keep your relationship fresh and exciting Prioritize your relationship to provide time for yourselves as a couple, and as parents Openly discuss your financial goals and arrangements Create a conversational safety zone to discuss difficult issues and maintain a satisfying intimate relationship Face issues head on, rather than allow resentment to come between you Forgive and to listen to what your partner needs from you to achieve forgiveness Marriage in Modern Life offers real hope by giving you the practical and actionable tools to help before problems arise. If your marriage is already in conflict, applying these principles can help you regain a balanced, fulfilling relationship. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: Lessons for a Happy Marriage Paul Friedman, 2009-06-01 Through his own family's experiences, Paul Friedman discovered how dangerous modern western psychology has been to relationships and families. The current divorce rate (the same for psychologists and the general population) is a clear testimony to the fact that western psychologists' principles are simply incorrect. As a successful pragmatist, Paul decided to skip the psychobabble and self-serving excuses for poorly working marriages. He found scientific explanations that could be communicated in simple language for dealing directly with the root causes of failing relationships. Paul does not believe therapy is the answer for the vast majority of individuals in unhappy marriages. In fact, he believes all married couples need to know what thoughts and actions will cause what results and why. The behaviors and thinking that cause the trend of an unhappy marriage need to be stopped. Then, new and correct thinking and effort needs to be exercised to move the marriage in the beneficial direction of happiness. Lessons For A Happy Marriage explains the science of marriage. It is written as a step by step format to guide each reader to guaranteed success and happiness. Paul thoroughly explains the steps so you can put them into practice with foundational knowledge instead of blind faith. He also prioritizes which things need to be done to turn your marriage around quickly. It is all common sense and immediately usable.Utilizing this book is no different than using a manual to get the most out of a computer program; it covers everything. Paul states, An epiphany is the collapse of bad habits under the weight of accumulated wisdom. This book shares wisdom accumulated over 15 years of experience. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: The Quick-Reference Guide to Biblical Counseling Dr. Tim Clinton, Dr. Ron Hawkins, 2009-09-01 Hurting people need help. But sometimes those who are faced with helping the hurting could use a little more information about the problems that needy people bring to them. The Quick-Reference Guide to Biblical Counseling provides the answers. It is an A-Z guide for assisting people-helpers--pastors, professional counselors, youth workers, and everyday believers--to easily access a full array of information to aid them in (formal and informal) counseling situations. Issues addressed include addictions, forgiveness, sexual abuse, worry, and many more. Each of the 40 topics covered follows a helpful eight-part outline and identifies: 1) typical symptoms and patterns, 2) definitions and key thoughts, 3) questions to ask, 4) directions for the conversation, 5) action steps, 6) biblical insights, 7) prayer starters, and 8) recommended resources. About the series The Quick-Reference Guides are A-Z guides that assist people-helpers--pastors, professional counselors, youth workers, and everyday believers--to easily access a full array of information to aid them in (formal and informal) counseling situations. Each of the forty topics covered follows a helpful eight-part outline and identifies: 1) typical symptoms and patterns, 2) definitions and key thoughts, 3) questions to ask, 4) directions for the conversation, 5) action steps, 6) biblical insights, 7) prayer starters, and 8) recommended resources. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: The Sacred Search Gary Thomas, 2021-04-01 Bestselling author Gary Thomas transforms the way you look at romantic relationships. His unique perspective on dating will prepare you for a satisfying, spiritually enriching marriage. In the revised edition of his hit book The Sacred Search, Gary Thomas helps single people of all ages make wise marital choices by rethinking what basis those choices should be made on. You will be encouraged to think beyond finding your “soul mate” and instead adopt a more biblical search for a “sole mate”—someone who will walk with you on your spiritual journey. Thomas asks, What if we focused on why we should get married more than on who to marry? What if being “in love” isn’t a good enough reason to get married? And most of all, what if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy? The Sacred Search casts a vision for building a relationship around shared spiritual mission—and making marriage with eternity at its heart. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: The Best Year of Your Marriage Jim Daly, Jean Daly, 2014 This beautiful 52-week devotional provides Christian couples with an easy way to read Scripture, pray, and engage in spiritual discussions and activities to strengthen their relationship and marriage. Perfect for younger couples in building a strong spiritual foundation early on, it's a great resource for couples of any age or stage who want to grow closer as they follow God together. Presented in a relaxed and easy-to-use way and edited by Focus on the Family president Jim Daly and his wife, Jean, each devotional offers foundational, practical, and wise material from members of the Focus counselling staff. The content is divided into 13 sections, with topics including getting to know each other better, listening, mastering money, building a Christ-centered home, going the distance, and more. Each section is introduced by the Dalys, and each of the 52 devotions is followed with discussion questions and activities. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: The Marriage Book Nicky Lee, Sila Lee, 2019-06-04 Full of practical advice, this bestselling book by Nicky and Sila Lee is easy to read and designed to prepare, build, and even mend marriages. The Marriage Book is essential reading for any married or engaged couple. This resource addresses questions like: How can we be happily married to one person for our entire life? How do we resolve conflict? How can we discover and rediscover sexual intimacy? The Marriage Course is a series of seven sessions, designed to help couples invest in their relationship and build a strong marriage. It serves as a bridge between the church and local community by recognizing the need to go beyond the social, as well as physical, walls of the church to help couples with their relationships. Marriage Course is easy to run; the talks are available on DVD (sold separately) and each guest and leader receives a manual. If you enjoy hosting people and have a passion for strengthening family life, you could run a course! |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: Wild at Heart John Eldredge, 2011-04-17 In all your boyhood dreams of growing up, did you dream of being a nice guy? Eldredge believes that every man longs for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue. That is how he bears the image of God; that is what God made him to be. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: Not Yet Married Marshall Segal, 2017-06-20 Life Is Never Mainly About Love and Marriage. So Learn to Live and Date for More. Many of you grew up assuming that marriage would meet all of your needs and unlock God's purposes for you. But God has far more planned for you than your future marriage. Not Yet Married is not about waiting quietly in the corner of the world for God to bring you the one, but about inspiring you to live and date for more now. If you follow Jesus, the search for a spouse is no longer a pursuit of the perfect person, but a pursuit of more of God. He will likely write a love story for you different than the one you would write for yourself, but that's because he loves you and knows how to write a better story. This book was written to help you find real hope, happiness, and purpose in your not-yet-married life. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: A Pre-marriage Counselling Handbook Alan Goerz, Donna Goerz, 2004 |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: The First Five Years of Marriage Wilford Wooten, Phillip J. Swihart, 2007-02 Marriage isn't easy. That's why thousands of couples have asked the counselors at Focus on the Family for insight into money, communication, and a host of other issues. Their collective wisdom is now available in one handy reference guide. The Complete Guide to the First Five Years of Marriage was designed to help spouses build a strong foundation for a lifetime partnership filled with genuine love and joy. |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: Premarital Counseling Robert F. Stahmann, William J. Hiebert, 1980 |
| free christian pre marriage counseling materials: Intended for Pleasure Ed Wheat MD, Gaye Wheat, 2022-01-11 God gave humankind the gift of sex. But many couples don't experience the kind of joy and fulfillment God intended. If you've ever been frustrated with a lack of intimacy in your marriage, or if you just want to know more about how you can get the most out of your relationship, Intended for Pleasure is for you. This honest and frank resource will answer your questions about sex and sexuality, improving sexual response, sex techniques for pregnancy, birth control, sex at any age, solutions for sexual problems, and much more. All of the questions you've been afraid to ask (or didn't even know to ask!) are answered right here. A perfect gift for newlyweds and a trusted resource for pastors and marriage counselors, this classic book has helped more than a million people understand and enjoy the gift God intended for pleasure. |
The Premarital Counseling Workbook
My name is Lisa Brookes Kift and I ˇm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Marin County, California. This workbook contains the couples counseling theories, methods and exercises …
Considering Marriage - Hope For The Heart
What Is Premarital Counseling? • Premarital counseling is practical advice given to a couple in preparation for marriage. • Premarital counseling involves teaching a couple open and honest …
A MARRIAGE PREPARATION INVENTORY - Focus on the Family
A MARRIAGE PREPARATION INVENTORY. This questionnaire is designed to help identify strengths and potential trouble-spots in your relationship. Most of the questions have no “right” …
Biblical Counseling and Marital Preparation
premarital counseling? Wouldn’t it be wiser for them to be thinking about how God designed marriage to function? Then they can look for someone who has the same convictions as they …
Pre-Marriage Counseling: A Quick-Study for Young Christian …
Pre-Marriage Counseling: A Quick-Study for Young Christian Couples Introduction Please note that this is not meant to be an all-encompassing, everything-you-need-is-right-here study. This …
LEADER’S GUIDE FOR - ABC
There could be many ways to use Catching Foxes as a premarital counseling resource. You may be helping one couple prepare for marriage, or you may be leading a small group of couples …
Premarital Counseling Session 1: A Theology of Marriage
Premarital Counseling Session 1: A Theology of Marriage. Instructions: Be sure to finish the Scripture study, readings, and exercises before Session 1. Also, be sure to turn in the …
A Program for Premarital Guidance - Adventist Family Ministries
Jul 2, 2008 · This program provides suggestions for a series of eight sessions of approximately 90 minutes each between a couple and a pastor, counselor or other individual with training in the …
Happily Ever After - Caring Couples
Explore your reasons for wanting premarital counseling. Share the story of your relationship, your engagement, and your wedding plans. Review the workbook. Discuss your homework (due at …
Intro to Premarital - Biblical Counseling Coalition
In the middle section of this binder you should have: • Materials for the four pre-‐marital counseling sessions. Each session includes a Scripture Study guide, applications exercise, …
Pre-Marital Questionnaire Form - Pastoral Care, Inc
Pre-Marital Questionnaire Form. This questionnaire should be filled out completely and turned in to the church office. After being reviewed, an appointment will be made to meet with a pastor, …
62 Gospel-Centered Books on Marriage, Marriage Counseling, …
12 Gospel-Centered Books on Marriage and Marriage Counseling. God created marriage as a picture of the gospel in action (Ephesians 5:22-33). The following books explain this bigger …
Resource List: Premarital Materials (Dating or Engaged)
The Smalleys recommend premarital counseling, which is critical to building a healthy, godly marriage. They also address issues of commitment, leaving and cleaving, honoring your …
Pre-marital Counseling Packet
Pre-marital Counseling Packet Preparing for a Wedding at Calvary Baptist Church The pastors wish to help people confirm their readiness for marriage by asking probing questions
THE MARRIAGE MANUAL - iFaith.com
THAT AFFECT THE WELL-BEING OF ANY MARRIAGE. Pre-marriage preparation is based upon the reality that it's important to strengthen your relationship and prepare constructively for …
SDA Couples Workbook - soencouragement.org
You have taken an important step in building a strong marriage and healthy relationship by taking the PREPARE/ ENRICH assessment. For over 35 years, research studies have demonstrated …
Premarital Counseling Preparation for Ministry
Scripture Study Guide for a Preparation for Ministry. Instructions: Read 1 Timothy 4:1-8; Proverbs 31:10-31 and Titus 2. Below you will find a list of verses and questions that help you think about …
JOHN PIPER
how do you understand his dream for marriage—for your marriage? At Desiring God, one of our most accessed pages online is a set of questions John Piper put together for couples preparing …
Customized Couple's Workbook
Couples with strong spiritual beliefs and practices say their faith provides a foundation that deepens their love and helps them grow together and achieve their dream s. If you and your …
Workbook for Couples - soencouragement.org
You are joining over 4 million couples who have taken this important step in building a strong marriage and healthy relationship by taking the PREPARE/ENRICH assessment. For over 35 …
