Description
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NEW! You can now refer couples (anywhere in the world) to an online marriage preparation class. Three classes are offered: the Basic eCourse, the Christian (Non-Denominational) eCourse, and the Roman Catholic eCourse. To learn more about how to integrate this innovative approach into your ministry with engaged couples, go to www.OnlineMarriagePreparation.com or contact TalkPoints directly.
FEATURES:
- 10 talks couples need to have before marriage!
- The talk sheets are removed from the book and guide the talks.
- Pastor spends less time, but is more effective!
- Relational – not diagnostic.
- Couples love it!
- Inexpensive ($10.95)
- You can ask couples to pay for it.
- Meets the Minnesota 12-hour requirement!
- Use one-on-one or in groups.
In preparing for marriage, engaged couples need to establish early patterns of open and effective communication. The Greatest Is Love guides couples of all ages on a conversation journey that includes ten of the topics engaged couples need to cover, including: Before We Say I Do, Our Parents, Our Love Life, Leisure and Work, Faith, Children, Money, Doing My Part, Issues and Our Wedding Day. The process offers couples a non-threatening, relaxing way to talk. One pastor who uses this material in preparing couples for marriage says, “I would highly recommend it! Once you use it you won”t go back to anything else!”
Pastors and counselors use The Greatest Is Love in one-on-one sessions with engaged couples, or with groups of couples preparing for marriage. The resource works well as a stand-alone preparation program, but also, to supplement other assessment tools, such as Prepare/Enrich or Focus.
From Dr. Rollie Martinson, Professor of Pastoral Theology, Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN:
“The Greatest is Love creates, not just an opportunity for a couple to hear about that which is good, right and beautiful in their relationship, but also a place for them to experience it. And not to experience it only once, but to develop the disciplines and skills to be able to come back to this kind of experience over and over again. Their relationship is strengthened both by having had this experience, and also, by being able to learn how to repeat the experience often in their own relationship.”
Each year I invite Dr. Franklin Nelson to teach one of my marriage classes. I want students preparing for ministry to know about The Greatest Is Love so they can add it to their ministry tool chest. The response from students has been very positive, and many have continued to use the marriage preparation resource in their ministries.
FROM PASTORS:
“If a pastor/counselor is able to observe just one of the conversations in the series, he/she will be instantly convinced of the impact and value of this resource.” Pastor
“I used TalkPoints for the first time last week, and the couple really appreciated having such a caring conversation. When I asked them how it felt to have the conversation, the quiet male answered first, ‘It was really touching.’ Wow! Thanks for equipping me with TalkPoints.” Pastor
From Michael J. Mahr, St. William Church, Naples, Florida:
“We have found that the book works great. It is not threatening to users or presenters. It seems almost too simple or easy at first glance and this gives both groups a sense of being able to handle it well – which they can. But once the conversation begins it shows how profound the tool actually is. It provides a way for couples to talk to one another about things they need to talk about before entering into marriage. It helps them share with one another aspects of their lives, experiences and beliefs that surprisingly, many couples do not, or at least have not, shared before they come to the pre-marriage workshop – perhaps they did not know how to get started. Thanks for providing this tool.”
From Couples:
She said: “I think the book is great in preparing for the actual wedding and also bringing up subjects and questions we don’t usually talks about. The format is easy – not too much to process at one time.”
He said: “I enjoyed this time greatly. I think the book and the exercises allowed me (and Amy) to look at issues from different perspectives. Speaking of issues, a lot of issues and thoughts and feelings that I have, I don’t clearly communicate; writing things down allows me to do that or at least gives me a base from which to start.”
He said: “I am better prepared for marriage now than I was 6 months ago. I learned things through the conversations I would not have learned.”
She said: “It gave Scott and me a chance that otherwise we may not have taken, to discuss a lot of issues, feelings, and share emotions of our wedding and our lives as they are today and into the future.”
He said: “A lot of issues and thoughts and feelings that I have, I don’t clearly communicate; writing things down allowed me to do that or at least gave me a base to start.”
She said: “I think the book is great in preparing for the actual wedding and also bringing up subjects and questions we don’t usually talk about. The format is easy – not too much to process at one time. I think it will help us in the future.”
She said: “I have enjoyed the conversations. I think the topics were great and encouraged really good thought-provoking discussions. They helped to center us and guide us through topics that were very important to discuss prior to making the commitment of marriage.”
He said: “I liked writing the TalkPoints, because it opens a door for discussion. It makes us as a couple listen to each other and not assume. These exercises and talks have really helped us both.”
She said: “TalkPoints helped us to slow down and take time to share feelings, plans and to express our love through our own words. The book was great to have as a way to talk about all the issues we sometimes forget to take time to share.”
He said: “The TalkPoints are so well put together that I cannot think of anything left unsaid – what a guide to a new life!”
She said: “TalkPoints caused us to cover some things we wouldn’t have covered without it. The subjects were not always easy, but the way they are introduced made me feel comfortable talking about them.”
He said: “I really enjoyed the exercises. It gave us some much needed time to relax, talk and take a break from the details of planning a wedding.”
