Both the Marriage Course and the
Marriage Preparation Course were produced by Alpha International Publications, Holy
Trinity Brompton. The quality and the content of both Courses reflect that
of the Alpha Course itself.
THE
Quite simply the aim is to provide
engaged couples with the tools to build a healthy marriage that will last a
lifetime. Over five evenings spent together they learn how to make a marriage
work. They consider the importance of commitment. They have the opportunity to
recognise their differences and learn the skills necessary for their
relationship to develop and to grow. They learn about listening and expressing
feelings, spending time together and resolving conflict. They discuss how to
nurture their friendship, how to make each other feel loved and how to develop
their sexual relationship. Finally they recognise the importance of talking
about their goals, values and dreams.
Their privacy as an engaged couples
is always respected. There is no requirement to disclose anything personal to a
third party. But they are expected to talk to their fiancé(e) during the
discussion times.
THE GUESTS
The Marriage Preparation Course is
for any engaged couple who want to give their marriage the best possible start.
While the course emphasises and explains the unique nature of marriage, couples
who are living together and who want to explore marriage are also
welcome.
Although the course is clearly based
on Christian principles and led by Christians, it is suitable for those with no
Christian faith or church background. However, over the course they are given
the opportunity to reflect on their core values and to consider how a shared
faith strengthens a marriage. Perhaps for some people it may be the first
contact with the church and the Alpha Course is well placed for those who want
find out more about being a Christian.
THE DESIGN OF THE
COURSE
The course takes place over five
evenings spread over a couple of months. Like Alpha, each session begins with a
meal at
After the meal at about
THE SET UP OF THE
The environment is crucial to the
success of the course. Attention to detail is important and greatly appreciated
by the couples. The room is set up before the couples arrive. The atmosphere is
as warm and welcoming as can be achieved in the church hall space, so that
couples feel that we value both them and their relationship. They should feel
that it is not only a course but a ‘date’!
The lighting is kept low and music is
played both during the meal and when couples are doing the exercises and talking
to their fiancé(e). The room is arranged with tables, tablecloths, table
napkins, and candles, with two or three couples per table. There is sufficient
space for each couple’s conversations to remain private. The background music
during discussion times helps to ensure privacy.
THE STRUCTURE OF THE
EVENING
The evening, including the meal lasts
about two hours and thirty minutes.
Welcome: Guests are welcomed warmly by the
leaders and the helpers. A drink is served and the couples are introduced
informally to one another. Name badges help to make this more
relaxed.
The Meal: This contributes to the effect of
the whole evening. It is an opportunity for the engaged couples to meet each
other and to get to know the leaders and the helpers. They have a hot main
course only because coffee, tea and dessert are served later in the evening
during one of their discussions. Most couples have commented that the meal has
made the evening special for them and has given them a chance to relax together
after work.
Notices and Review: After the welcome and notices (if any)
couples are given the opportunity to review the topics covered in the previous
session(s). This has been useful because not all the couples are able to attend
all of the sessions.
Talks and discussion: Short talks are
interspersed with exercises and discussion for each couple to do on their own.
The couples stay at their tables or close by for the talks and their
discussions.
Interview: Each evening a married
couple is interviewed about what has been important in their own relationship,
particularly with regard to the topics covered on that
session.
Concluding remarks and prayer:
We finish
each session by reading one of the passages from the Bible suggested as a
possibility for their wedding service and the close with a short
prayer.
RESOURCES
Each couple receives:
·
A Course Manual
·
A copy of The Marriage Book by Nicky and
Each couple receives a
copy of this book on the first evening.
FEEDBACK
Questionnaires after each
of the previous year’s sessions have shown that almost every couple appreciate
undertaking the course, and believe that it will strengthen their
forthcoming marriage.
Further details of the course can be
obtained by contacting:
Or
The Holy Trinity Brompton
Website
&
http://www.htb.org.uk/marriage/