If the counselor prefers, the couple will fill out the relationship questionnaire before the first session (see Appendix 2).
The counselor will share a brief testimony, including his background, his own marriage (if married), his counseling experience, and his hope for this session. Then, the counselor will ask the couple questions to get to know them better.
(Or, instead of asking questions in the session, the counselor can simply follow up on questions from the relationship questionnaire.)
Please share your individual backgrounds: where you are from, your family background, your education background, and anything else you would like to share.
Please share how you and your fiancé(e) met, how long you’ve known each other, and how you knew you were meant to be together.
Please share your religious experience. Are you a born again believer? Do you have assurance of salvation? What is your involvement in church?
Please share ways you and your fiancé(e) are similar. Share ways you are different. How can these similarities and differences complement your marriage?
How do you get along with your parents? What was their parenting style like? What did you like and dislike about it? What will you take from your parents and add to your marriage?
What are your hopes for going through pre-marital counseling?
Counselor will share the course overview and expectations. For example:
This pre-marital course will cover eight different foundations of marriage including: God’s plan for marriage, gender roles, finances, communication, raising godly children, etc.
Each week you will:
Any questions? Session 1 “God’s Plan for Marriage” will be your first assignment. Let’s meet next week at this same time. Let’s close in prayer.