Christians often choose to use Bible-based principles to guide their relationships.
Whether a couple is in a troubled marriage or an established, happy relationship, biblical principals often pave the way to lasting joy between spouses. In order to better learn positive ways of communicating, showing love and supporting their partners, many Christian couples choose to attend a relationship workshop. When you are the leader of such a group, there are numerous resources and suggestions to help you offer a meaningful group experience.
Atmosphere
One of the most important aspects of a Christian relationship workshop is ensuring that the participants feel comfortable and relaxed. Implement a confidentiality policy, similar to that of 12-step programs, in which whatever is said in the room stays there even after the participants return to their lives. Physical comfort is important to help participants relax as well. Rather than holding the workshop at a location with an institutional feeling, take care to add personal touches like comfortable furniture, overstuffed pillows, candles and flowers to create a homelike feeling.
Speakers
The speakers you choose for your workshop often set the tone for the entire event. While it's not important to have big-name individuals, it is important to choose those who hold the same basic Christian beliefs as the participants of the workshop. No matter who you choose as your speakers, book them well in advance and arrange appropriate accommodations for them. Highlight each speaker and his achievements in the literature you publish regarding your relationship workshop.
Activities
Plan both group and couple's activities for your workshop. While the couples are there to work on their individual relationships, it's always helpful to hear from others who are struggling with some of the same issues. Shared experiences build solidarity. Use biblical principles to illustrate positive ways of dealing with issues that challenge today's couples, such as financial problems, step-parenting struggles, concerns with faithfulness, and ways for individuals to grow and change individually and together.
Follow-Up
One of the most important things the leader of a relationship workshop can do is provide concrete tools that couples can use at home after they've completed the course curriculum. Choose resources from groups such as Marriage Missions International, Focus on the Family and Marriage Builders. Create your own handouts that offer Bible stories and verses to encourage couples to extend their faith into all areas of their relationship as well. Distribute complementary books and videos that reinforce the principles covered in the workshop.
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