Author Description

This handbook is written to help busy pastors, missionaries, lay counselors and marriage mentors with a structured course for conducting marriage preparation. Topics addressed: 1) View of Marriage. What expectations does each partner have about marriage? 2) Family of Origin. How does each partner feel about his or her own family background? What traits of their family background does each partner want to or not want to carry into their marriage? 3) Roles. Does the couple have a biblical understanding of their marital roles? 4) Communication. Does each partner feel heard by the other? Does each person feel comfortable sharing feelings with the other? 5) Conflict resolution. Does the couple have the ability to resolve problems without destructive side effects? 6) Parenting. Do both partners want to have children? How will they be taken care of, and by whom? 7) Sex. What are their views of sex before marriage? Who or what are their sources for sex education? 8) Finances. How are money matters to be decided? Have they agreed on a budget?