Marriage is hard. Think about being in a relationship with someone, them knowing all of your deepest flaws and you knowing theirs. Further, your understanding of family, finances, or sex is different from theirs. You have children, but struggle to keep your own marriage as a priority. Then we throw in disappointment, in-laws, and personal expectations that may not be met. Having a resource to help you understand what you are currently going through in marriage as well as having something before you say ‘I Do’ is huge and having it faith-based is all the more important.
Below, I have shared several resources for people to use, though I will be honest, they all require you to have a mentor couple to work with you. It’s not easy and you should not go it alone.
Prepare/Enrich
Of the three curriculums, this is what I have exclusively used. I have a small experience with the rest, but this one has a strong faith integration, yet has significant research and data to support proven techniques and processes to help couples be successful. This is explicitly stated in their mission statement, “Our mission is to equip marriage champions, couples, and families with evidence-based skills and insights to foster healthy relationships.”
Symbis
This Christian assessment has the backing of two big Christian marriage authors in Les and Leslie Parrot. Having met them recently at a “Fight Night” event at our church and their passion truly is there. This has the benefit of more than just a single assessment, but numerous books that have led to this curriculum being made.
Ready To Wed
This curriculum has the support of Focus on the Family and is new to my set of resources. While this curriculum does not have an assessment for the couple being mentored, it follows the general principle to meet regularly with the couple together.
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