The following topics will be covered during premarital counseling with your mentoring couple. Please click on the listings below to display your homework.
Session 1: What Really Matters in Marriage
Matt Chandler's Messages:
The Divine Mystery Part 1
The Divine Mystery Part 2
Recommended Reading List
Portrait of a Godly Marriage
What to expect on your first session:
This will be a relaxed time of getting to know your mentoring couple and for them to get to know you. You may look over your FOCCUS assessment results. Your mentoring couple will be using the results throughout your sessions as the subjects come up. They will go over the questions you answered in the workbook as time allows.
Also spend time discussing the exact times and dates for your next five sessions. Exchange phone numbers so that you can get a hold of your mentoring couple if a problem arises or schedules change.
Matt Chandler's Message:
Sanctification in Marriage
Matt Chandler's Message:
Role of Men Part 2: Men as Husbands
John Piper's Message:
The Beautiful Faith of Fearless Submission
John Piper's Message:
Marriage: Forgiving and Forbearing
Portrait of Godly Communication
John Piper's Messages:
What God Has Joined Together, Let Not Man Separate Part 1
What God Has Joined Together, Let Not Man Separate Part 2
The spiritual side of marriage is the most important. All you have learned will mean nothing if Christ is not the center of your home, your thoughts and your hearts. Above in the "Portrait of Biblical Love," are some thoughts that are vital to your love together and to the growth of your marriage. Please prayerfully read them.
The Married Couple Interview is something that we recommend but is not required. We suggest that you meet with a godly couple that you admire and ask them the attached questions. These questions are suggestions and of course you may ask whatever you wish. This is a time for you to get another couples opinion and thoughts on marriage.
Matt Chandler's Messages:
God & Sex
Portrait of Godly Lovemaking
Portrait of Sex as Worship
The budget worksheet is a helpful tool for you to use. Many of you already have your finances on Quicken or other helps and do not need one. This is a tool to use if you would like to quickly calculate your current budget.
We highly suggest that you meet together as a couple alone regularly to look deeply into your relationship and talk about those things that are problems or concerns. Often times we are upset by something the other one is doing or not doing and we wait and let it bother us until we blow up and say things that we are sorry for later. For instance maybe one of you will feel that you are not spending enough time together but do not have a chance to say it in a way that will be received. By doing this regularly you are able to head off a multitude of problems before they get too big.
Also, you will find yourself more willing to work things out and work toward what will be the best for your marriage if this is done during a quiet time together when you are both calm and in a receptive state of mind. Doing this monthly during your first year (on your anniversary day each month for instance) is a great way to get into the habit of sharing together. Then as you are married longer meeting at least quarterly is good. You will find this a vital part of your marriage and will look forward to these times.
If you desire further information and are unable to find it on this page, use our online contact form and select "Premarital Counseling" from the category drop-down menu. An e-mail will be sent to the ministry leader who can answer your question(s). You may also contact Lauren Williams, ministry assistant, at (972) 537-1231.
