There are 4 SECTIONS to the Marriage Course Outline below.

SECTION 1 are fun, easy things to do to get you going. With SECTION 2, you dig deeper and SECTION 3 addresses some specific areas/concerns. SECTION 4 is a growing list of videos & audio to introduce the skills of marriage and related topics.

Within each SECTION are several EXERCISES to choose from.

To go to a particular EXERCISE, move your computer mouse over the hyper-linked lines and click. Each EXERCISE opens to a new web page.

To go back to the Marriage Course Outline either click off the EXERCISE you are on (red X at top right on your browser), or click the green tab to the right “Start Marriage Preparation Course Here.”

Some things to note:

1. Below each post/page, notice that you can print it out.

2. You don’t have to do everything here. If something doesn’t apply, then skip it. There’s a wide range of topics and needs addressed to try to give everyone something that will help.

3. Not everything on this site is included in the outline below. So explore the Content Update Categories (see them to the far right), and remember to subscribe to the Content Updates because I regularly do new postings on various wedding and marriage topics.

4. If I am performing your wedding this Course is included in your honorarium (most cases). Go to link at the end of this sentence after doing the Course to find out what to do to get your completion certificate to save $60 on your TN marriage license.  To Get Your Tennessee Completion Certificate 

Start Here:Communication Principles to Keep in Mind as You Begin

SECTION ONE: 2-Fun Learning Activities:

All About Communication

• Who’s right? - how do you know which one of you is right?
  

• Stupid arguments - why do they happen?
  

• You are the counselor - how would you solve this couple’s problem?
  

• Talk to me like this - free online 5 minute personality “test” based on Myers-Briggs that shows you how to best communicate to and love your partner

Discover More About Each Other

• If I had a million dollars - about values and goals

• My best vacation

• Two-way learning - showing appreciation and value

• Try on a new pair of shoes

Learn From Others

• Research 101 - life lab
  

• Watch a movie - The Story of Us
  

• Take a field trip - People watching
  

SECTION TWO: Digging Deeper

• What We Need to Talk About Now - the 12 relationship areas
  

• Asking & Listening - how to ask for what you want
  

• I Feel Loved When - how to love the one you love
  

• I Love You Because

SECTION THREE: Special Interests

• Spiritual Resources for Your Marriage

• Special Needs of Step-Families

• Getting Along With In-Laws

• Questions For Couples About Commitment

SECTION FOUR: Videos to Teach and Entertain (Just click the hyper-linked titles to go to that video. You don’t have to watch everything here, just what looks like it would be helpful to you. This section is growing over time as I am able to post new videos).

Skills of Marriage: 7 Principles of Making Marriage Work (John Gottman)

Making Marriage Work Introduction

Principle #1: Enhancing Your Love Map

More coming soon

Principle #2: Nurture Your Fondness and Admiration

Principle #3: Turn Toward Each Other Instead of Away

Principle #4: Let Your Partner Influence You

Principle #5: Solve Your Solvable Problems

Principle #6: Overcome Gridlock

Principle #7: Create Shared Meaning

Couples Questions and Answers:

Do you believe there is ONE soul mate for each person?

“I’m having doubts about marriage. Should I worry?”

“My friend had a fight with her fiance, what should I tell her?”

“I had a previous marriage but haven’t told my fiancee yet. When should I tell her?”

“My fiancee is mad at me because of stuff my mom said….”

Miscellaneous Videos:

A Humorous Look at Falling Love

Is Baseball Good for Marriage?

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