Preparing Couples for Love and Marriage: A Pastor's Resource

by Cameron Lee, James L Furrow

Overview

Pre-marriage guidance in a flexible four-session framework to help couples begin a successful marriage. While no one can smooth away all the rough spots in the marital road ahead, couples can be coached to pay attention to warning signs, see the bumps before they hit them, and deal more skillfully with inevitable conflicts. The good news is that you don’t need any formal background in counseling, because the kind of work we’re talking about isn’t counseling—it’s coaching couples to respond positively to the differences between them. It’s not about having all the answers; but helping couples manage difficulties before they become serious threats to the marriage. For more tips, ideas, resources, and advice, go to preparingcouples.com.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781426753206
Publisher:	Abingdon Press
Publication date:	10/15/2013
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	538,536
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Cameron Lee, Ph.D., CFLE is Professor of Family Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. Dr. Lee is a Certified Family Life Educator through the National Council on Family Relations, a licensed minister and teaching pastor, and a Licensed Trainer for Family Wellness. Lee established and directs the Fuller Institute for Relationship Education (FIRE), which seeks to help congregations create sustainable marriage education ministries through the low-cost training of volunteer leaders.

James L. Furrow, PhD CFLE is Evelyn and Frank Freed Professor of Marital and Family Therapy and chair of the School of Psychology s Department of Marriage and Family at Fuller. He is a clinical fellow and supervisor in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy; a Certified Family Life Educator through the National Council on Family Relations, and a recognized leader in the development and practice of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), a leading approach to marital therapy.

Table of Contents

Introduction v

Part 1 Getting Started

Chapter 1 The Basic Skills 3

Chapter 2 Dealing with Difference 13

Chapter 3 Using the Conversation Jumpstarter. A Flexible Four-Session Framework 21

Part 2 Constructive Communication

Chapter 4 Communication That Builds Relationship 35

Chapter 5 Facing Conflict Together as a Couple 46

Chapter 6 Coaching the Conversations 55

Part 3 Conversation Topics

Chapter 7 Roles and Responsibilities 67

Chapter 8 Love and Affection 74

Chapter 9 The Meaning of Money 81

Chapter 10 The Possibilities of Parenthood 88

Chapter 11 In-Laws and Extended Family 94

Chapter 12 Religious Devotion and Practice 101

Epilogue: The Big Picture 108

Appendices

Appendix A The Conversation Jumpstarter 112

Appendix B Constructive Communication 126

Appendix C Responding to My Partners Answers 128

Appendix D Practice Communication Exercise 130

Appendix E Making Our Marriage Stronger 132

Appendix F Making Decisions When Our Needs Conflict 134

Notes 136

Bibliography 146

Book Website Information 152