What is the Marriage Preparation Course - Leaders' Information
Thinking of running a course?
- Do you want to help couples strengthen their relationship?
- Are you looking for material that is fun, practical and easy to use?
- Do you have experience of working through things in your own marriage?
- Do you enjoy hosting people?
If you answered 'yes' to the above questions, you could run a course!
You don’t need to have a perfect marriage and you don’t need to be an expert. You just need to have a desire to see marriages strengthened, experience of working at your own marriage and enjoy hosting couples.
Key features of the course
- Easy to run - talks on DVD with instructions for when to pause for exercises and discussion times
- Effective whether held in a home or a larger venue
- Practical material that is presented in a fun and interesting way
- Welcoming, non-threatening and accessible to any couple
Becoming a leader is easy. We help provide you with all the materials and support you need to get started.
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All guest and leader resources available for purchase through our online store, Canaanland.com.my
- DVDs of the talks given by Nicky and Sila Lee
- Guest resources
- Comprehensive guidance on how to set up, run and publicise your course, including ideas for creating a great atmosphere
- Promotional resources to advertise your course
- Support is also available from local Marriage Advisers who have run the course themselves, and through regular training events held in different locations around the country.
How do we get started?
- Attend The Marriage Course yourselves. Go to find a course to find your nearest course. If there isn’t one near you, we recommend you do the course in a home with two or three other couples using the DVDs. If you are planning on using PREPARE, make sure that your Support Couples have also attended The Marriage Course.
- Attend Training and/or watch the ‘Leaders’ Training’ on The Marriage Preparation Course Leaders’ Toolkit. Details listed under ‘Training & Events'.
- Purchase the necessary resources. You can find more details and how to order them on Canaanland.com.my
- Find a counsellor in your area to whom you can refer couples if they need additional help. Details are available on this website under ‘Counselling’.
- Set a date and advertise your course - The Marriage Preparation Course Leaders’ Toolkit contains a section on ideas for promoting the course.
- Make sure you have the support of your church leaders and congregation. Build a team of volunteers to help you. If the course is large you may need people to help with setting up, cooking, serving and clearing.
- Watch the FOCCUS training if you are planning to use FOCCUS as part of the course. This training is mandatory and can be found on The Marriage Preparation Course Leaders' Toolkit. Ensure that all your Support Couples have also viewed this training.
- Find a suitable venue. This may be a home if your course is small, or you may need a larger venue - perhaps a church, a community hall, a hotel, a café after hours - anywhere that you can serve a meal and create a great atmosphere.
- Decide on what to charge your guests based on the cost of the food, manuals and venue.
- Register your course online under register your course. This will allow us to put you in touch with couples looking for a course in your area.
- Contact your local Marriage Advisers. These are couples with experience of running the course who help other leaders with advice and support. Their details are listed on this website under ‘Marriage Advisers’.
Resources
Leaders will need the following material to run The Marriage Preparation Course:
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Using DVD talks
- Course DVDs
- Leaders' and Support Couples' Guide
- Guest Manuals (2 per couple)
- The Marriage Preparation Course Leaders’ Toolkit (includes Leaders’ Training DVD and training on how to use PREPARE)
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Using live talks (recommended for very experienced leaders only)
- Guest Manuals (2 per couple)
- The Marriage Preparation Course Leaders’ Toolkit (includes Leaders’ Training DVD and training on how to use PREPARE)
- Speaker Notes CD-ROM
- Inserts DVD
Other resources recommended:
- The Marriage Book
- Course promotional material - specifically guest invites and posters
How to order resources
Please visit Canaanland.com.my for all Resource-related enquiries
Don’t forget to register your course on this website so guests can find your course. This also allows us to keep in touch with you regarding course updates, upcoming events, and entitles you to receive a free copy of our e-newsletter
Course Material
The Marriage Preparation Course DVD
This series of five sessions was filmed in a studio and includes interviews with couples talking about their experiences of marriage and street interviews.
Leaders' and Support Couples' Guide
Provides leaders with a quick reference for running the course including session timings and a checklist of recommended materials and supplies for each session.
The Marriage Preparation Course Leaders’ Toolkit
Based on The Marriage Conference, this 52-minute DVD is for anyone thinking of running The Marriage Preparation Course and covers everything you need to know to set up, run and publicise the course. It also contains promotional films and a CD-ROM with course adminstration documentation.
Guest Manuals
Each course guest will need a manual. This contains notes from the course, the exercises, and homework for discussion.
The Marriage Book
The Marriage Course and The Marriage Preparation Course are based on The Marriage Book by Nicky and Sila Lee. It is full of practical advice and is designed for engaged, married and cohabiting couples.
Ready for Marriage?
How do we know that we are right for each other? What happens if we are not compatible? Is it normal to have doubts? In this short booklet Nicky and Sila Lee address these and other questions asked by those contemplating marriage.
Course Promotional Material
Course Invitations
A4 fold-over Invitations to be given to potential guests with blank space on the address panel for a mailing label or sticker with your course details.
Leaders’ Introduction
A promotional resource for potential leaders of The Marriage Course and The Marriage Preparation Course. It describes the two courses, who they are for, why someone should run the course and how to get started.
Advertising Posters
Available in two sizes and can be overprinted with your course details.
Starter Pack
Everything you need to get a course started with five couples:
1 x Course DVD
2 x Leaders' & Support Couples’ Guides
10 x Guest Manuals
1 x Marriage Preparation Course Leaders’ Toolkit
For those running the course with live talks
Speakers' Notes CD-ROM
Provides the session talk transcripts.
Inserts DVD
Contains the media clips (inserts) from The Marriage Preparation Course DVD. These will enhance the presentation of the live talks.