The Marriage Course is an eight-session course set in a warm, welcoming 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 presented live or by 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? Regular check-ups help a car run smoothly and reduce the risk of breakdown. The best sports professionals spend hours being coached and perfecting their technique. The greatest achievements in life take practice, training and dedication.
It is the same with marriage. A strong, loving and lifelong relationship doesn't happen by chance. It takes effort and dedication to keep the fun and romance alive. We can all learn how to make even the happiest marriage better.
Session Topics 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. Resolving Conflict - In this session we look at how couples can increase their intimacy by expressing appreciation to each other, recognizing their differences, learning to negotiate disagreements and praying for each other (if they feel comfortable doing so). 4. 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. 5. The Impact of Family - Past and Present - This session focuses on helping couples to recognize 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. 6. 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 recognize where they need to make changes. 7. 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.
The Marriage Preparation Courseis a five-session course set in a laid-back and fun environment. 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 presented live or by DVD.
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.
There is never any group work and you will never be asked to share anything about your relationship with anyone other than your partner.
Session Topics 1. 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.
2. 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 through making quality time for each other on a regular basis and separating appropriately from their parents.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
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The Parenting Teenagers Course and The Parenting Children Course are NOW AVAILABLE in Canada!
The Parenting Teenagers Course is run over five sessions. Nicky and Sila Lee have worked with couples and families for over 18 years and speak regularly on parenting. They are co-authors of The Marriage Book and they also lead The Marriage Course, The Marriage Preparation Course and The Parenting Children Course.
Who is it for? The course is for any parent with children aged between 11 and 18 years and for those with younger children who wish to prepare for the teenage years. The course, while based on Christian principles, is relevant and helpful for any parent with or without a Christian faith or church background.Topics covered include: Teenagers’ needs / Setting the boundaries / Building the relationship / Helping our teenagers make good choices / Looking to the future
What’s involved: Each evening begins with food of some sort. There is then a talk, followed by an opportunity to discuss issues raised in small groups.
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The Parenting Children Course is run over five sessions. Nicky and Sila Lee have worked with couples and families for over 18 years and speak regularly on parenting. They are co-authors of The Marriage Book and they also lead The Marriage Course, The Marriage Preparation Course and The Parenting Teenagers Course.
Who is it for? The course is for any parent with children up to the age of 10. The course, while based on Christian principles, is relevant and helpful for any parent with or without a Christian faith or church background.
Topics covered include: Building strong foundations / Love in action / Setting boundaries / Building character /
Our long term aim
What's involved: Each evening begins with food of some sort, followed by a talk, with opportunities for discussion in small groups.
Introduction to The Marriage Course with Nicky and Sila Lee
Promotional clip for the Marriage Course
Promotional clip for The Marriage Preparation Course