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Meet the couples
What is The Marriage Course?
Why choose this course
The Marriage Course runs over seven sessions, and each session begins with sharing dinner as a couple, followed by a fun, insightful video covering topics that are relevant for every couple like Good Sex or Resolving Conflict. In short? Your marriage. But better.
Relationship tools
Learn practical tools to deepen your connection and keep the spark alive.
Insights from experts
Gain insights from interviews with leading psychologists, authors and psychosexual specialists.
Talk privately
Enjoy private, intimate conversations as a couple giving you the space to engage openly and honestly throughout each session.
Globally accessible
Translated into 45 languages, created for use in any country, by any church or organisation using pre-prepared video material by world leading experts.
Tried and tested
The Marriage Course has been run in over 117 countries for over 1.5 million couples since its inception in 1996.
In person or online
Choose to go through the course at a local venue in the company of other couples or online in the privacy of your own home.
Find a course near you or online
We are so glad that you are interested in strengthening your relationship through one of our courses! Please enter your city or address below to search for a course near you.
Who's it for?
Who is the Parenting the children Course for?
Is The Marriage Course for us?
The Marriage Course is for couples who are married or have been living together for more than two years.
It is based on Christian principles but designed for couples with or without a Christian faith.
It is for any couple looking to invest in building a better, stronger marriage.
Who is The Parenting Teenagers Course for?
Over five sessions, the course will help parents and carers to
Keep their long term aim in mind
Set clear boundaries
Help their teens makegood choices
Over
seven
sessions
you will explore
Session 1
Strengthening Connection
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 2
The Art of Communication
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 3
Resolving conflict
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 4
The Power of Forgiveness
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 5
The Impact of Family
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 6
Good Sex
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 7
Love in Action
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 2
The Art of Communication
This session tackles effective communication, the importance of recognising and expressing your feelings, and barriers to talking. It also unveils five bad listening habits and the transformative power of reflective listening. As a couple, you will work on your communication one-on-one, through sharing a significant memory with each other and practicing a listening exercise as demonstrated in the video.
Session 2
The Art of Communication
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 3
Resolving conflict
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 4
The Power of Forgiveness
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 5
The Impact of Family
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 6
Good Sex
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 7
Love in Action
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 3
Resolving conflict
Session 3 reveals how couples can grow closer by learning methods to resolve conflict. You will discover four principles for resolving conflict and learn ways of showing appreciation; how to recognise and appreciate your differences; plus how to implement the all-important "10 o'clock rule". The session also covers five practical steps to help reach agreement and helpful ways of supporting each other.
Session 2
The Art of Communication
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 3
Resolving conflict
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 4
The Power of Forgiveness
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 5
The Impact of Family
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 6
Good Sex
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 7
Love in Action
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 4
The Power of Forgiveness
How can a couple recover from the ways they may have hurt each other? In this session, you will learn whether you are a rhino or hedgehog as you hear about harmful approaches for dealing with anger. You will hear the effects of unhealed hurt and the importance of dealing with underlying problems, alongside a practical three-step process for healing hurt and an exercise in "clearing the drain" and comforting each other.
Session 2
The Art of Communication
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 3
Resolving conflict
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 4
The Power of Forgiveness
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 5
The Impact of Family
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 6
Good Sex
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 7
Love in Action
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 5
The Impact of Family
Couples carry different experiences and expectations into marriage from their upbringing, and Nicky and Sila share the importance of leaving our parents and creating a new decision-making structure and centre of gravity as a couple. You will learn tools for creating a safe place for each other, through resolving disagreements, considering boundaries with parents and in-laws, and reflecting on any negative patterns from your past.
Session 2
The Art of Communication
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 3
Resolving conflict
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 4
The Power of Forgiveness
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 5
The Impact of Family
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 6
Good Sex
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 7
Love in Action
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 6
Good Sex
Keeping the spark alive in marriage requires a good emotional connection and an other-oriented approach. Nicky and Sila reveal five secrets for a good sexual relationship, and four ways to affair-proof a marriage. This episode is full of practical advice, from leaving screens outside the bedroom to being creative when it comes to sex. It also addresses research into the damaging effects of pornography and fantasising about other people.
Session 2
The Art of Communication
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 3
Resolving conflict
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 4
The Power of Forgiveness
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 5
The Impact of Family
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 6
Good Sex
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 7
Love in Action
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 7
Love in Action
In the final session, Nicky and Sila look at the different ways a person may feel most loved, using Gary Chapman’s “five love languages”. Emphasising the importance of discovering how your partner feels appreciated and that loving intentionally can take real work, they unpack each of the five love languages (words of affirmation, gifts or presents, quality time, kind actions and physical touch). They also discuss how commitment in marriage can create a liberating feeling of safety and intimacy.
Session 2
The Art of Communication
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 3
Resolving conflict
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 4
The Power of Forgiveness
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 5
The Impact of Family
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 6
Good Sex
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
Session 7
Love in Action
Nicky and Sila explore what it means to understand and respond to each other’s needs, work through challenges and review your relational connection. Through the analogy of tending a vineyard, they explore the aspects of adjusting, pruning, supporting and renewing in marriage. The episode also touches on the amazing impact of making time for each other and learning to nurture each other.
What to expect
Here’s what you can look forward to from each session of The Marriage Course:
Step 1
Eat together
At the start of each session, you will share a special meal together. This is an opportunity to unwind and connect, helping to create the romance and enjoyment of a date.
Step 2
Watch an episode
Each engaging and enriching episode explores a different topic through real experiences, expert insights and relevant teaching, with breaks for conversations.
Step 3
Talk privately
Through workbook prompts and questions, you will be invited to enjoy private, intimate conversations that help you to engage with honesty and openness throughout the session.
Learn from leading relationship experts
Meet your experts
Dr Roger Bretherton
Psychologist, Author and Lecturer
Dr Sue Johnson
Clinical Psychologist and Author
Rob Parsons
Founder of Care for the Family
Dr Mosun Dorgu
Consultant Psychiatrist
Dr John Kirkby CBE
Founder of Christians Against Poverty
Emma Waring
Psychosexual Specialist and Author
Dr Henry Cloud
Psychologist and Author
Nicky Lee
Founder of The Marriage Course
Sila Lee
Founder of The Marriage Course
Hear what our couples have to say
The Marriage Course not only transformed my marriage, it saved my life. We had been married for three years when my husband and I did the course. We had a traumatic birth, lost another child and we needed real help. Now we have been married for 15 years, we have had twins and I tell everyone to do The Marriage Course.
Kirsty
Brisbane, Australia
Couples are loving the experience of going through The Marriage Course as it provides so much space for them to talk about content throughout each evening in the privacy of their own home. We feel the opportunity to do this online has reached far more couples than we ever could have imagined.
Kirk Peterson
Portland, USA
We’ve really appreciated this marriage course. Not just because of the easy-to-engage format, but also because of the quality of the video content. The hosts in the video are great at clearly communicating ideas in an entertaining way that makes us feel like we’ve been invited into their lives to learn alongside them.
Anon Online Guest
Oman
We did The Pre-Marriage Course before we got married 6 years ago so it’s nice to be doing The Marriage Course now. The Pre-Marriage Course put us on a firm footing going forward. We thought we were close already but the course helped us to have conversations we didn't know we needed to have.
Charlie and Kate
London, UK
The conversations that we had during The Pre-Marriage course formed how we interacted in the beginning of our marriage and gave us tools to communicate about certain issues, especially at the beginning when you're trying to figure out everything...
Sam and Hilary
Canada
The Marriage Course helped me tremendously, moving me away from trying to fix my wife, to listening to her.
Dan
United Kingdom
We’ve always wanted to participate in the course, but having a severely disabled child, it’s virtually impossible to get a babysitter. This has meant we’ve never been able to participate in the course when it’s been running at our church. Now that it’s online, we can join in and we’ve already got so much out of it just in the first session.
Sarah and Mike
United Kingdom
The Pre Marriage Course really put us on a firm footing going forward. We thought we were close already but the course helped us have conversations we didn't know we needed to have. And this course forced us to have even more conversations relevant to us in this stage of our marriage.
Sarah and John
United Kingdom
The Marriage Course not only transformed my marriage, it saved my life. We had been married for three years when my husband and I did the course. We had a traumatic birth, lost another child and we needed real help. Now we have been married for 15 years, we have had twins and I tell everyone to do The Marriage Course.
Kirsty
Brisbane, Australia
Couples are loving the experience of going through The Marriage Course as it provides so much space for them to talk about content throughout each evening in the privacy of their own home. We feel the opportunity to do this online has reached far more couples than we ever could have imagined.
Kirk Peterson
Portland, USA
We’ve really appreciated this marriage course. Not just because of the easy-to-engage format, but also because of the quality of the video content. The hosts in the video are great at clearly communicating ideas in an entertaining way that makes us feel like we’ve been invited into their lives to learn alongside them.
Anon Online Guest
Oman
The Marriage Course helped me tremendously, moving me away from trying to fix my wife, to listening to her.
Dan
United Kingdom
We’ve always wanted to participate in the course, but having a severely disabled child, it’s virtually impossible to get a babysitter. This has meant we’ve never been able to participate in the course when it’s been running at our church. Now that it’s online, we can join in and we’ve already got so much out of it just in the first session.
Sarah and Mike
United Kingdom
The Marriage Course not only transformed my marriage, it saved my life. We had been married for three years when my husband and I did the course. We had a traumatic birth, lost another child and we needed real help. Now we have been married for 15 years, we have had twins and I tell everyone to do The Marriage Course.
Kirsty
Brisbane, Australia
Couples are loving the experience of going through The Marriage Course as it provides so much space for them to talk about content throughout each evening in the privacy of their own home. We feel the opportunity to do this online has reached far more couples than we ever could have imagined.
Kirk Peterson
Portland, USA
We’ve really appreciated this marriage course. Not just because of the easy-to-engage format, but also because of the quality of the video content. The hosts in the video are great at clearly communicating ideas in an entertaining way that makes us feel like we’ve been invited into their lives to learn alongside them.
Anon Online Guest
Oman
The Marriage Course helped me tremendously, moving me away from trying to fix my wife, to listening to her.
Dan
United Kingdom
We’ve always wanted to participate in the course, but having a severely disabled child, it’s virtually impossible to get a babysitter. This has meant we’ve never been able to participate in the course when it’s been running at our church. Now that it’s online, we can join in and we’ve already got so much out of it just in the first session.
Sarah and Mike
United Kingdom
The Marriage Course not only transformed my marriage, it saved my life. We had been married for three years when my husband and I did the course. We had a traumatic birth, lost another child and we needed real help. Now we have been married for 15 years, we have had twins and I tell everyone to do The Marriage Course.
Kirsty
Brisbane, Australia
Couples are loving the experience of going through The Marriage Course as it provides so much space for them to talk about content throughout each evening in the privacy of their own home. We feel the opportunity to do this online has reached far more couples than we ever could have imagined.
Kirk Peterson
Portland, USA
We’ve really appreciated this marriage course. Not just because of the easy-to-engage format, but also because of the quality of the video content. The hosts in the video are great at clearly communicating ideas in an entertaining way that makes us feel like we’ve been invited into their lives to learn alongside them.
Anon Online Guest
Oman
We did The Pre-Marriage Course before we got married 6 years ago so it’s nice to be doing The Marriage Course now. The Pre-Marriage Course put us on a firm footing going forward. We thought we were close already but the course helped us to have conversations we didn't know we needed to have.
Charlie and Kate
London, UK
The conversations that we had during The Pre-Marriage course formed how we interacted in the beginning of our marriage and gave us tools to communicate about certain issues, especially at the beginning when you're trying to figure out everything...
Sam and Hilary
Canada
The Marriage Course helped me tremendously, moving me away from trying to fix my wife, to listening to her.
Dan
United Kingdom
We’ve always wanted to participate in the course, but having a severely disabled child, it’s virtually impossible to get a babysitter. This has meant we’ve never been able to participate in the course when it’s been running at our church. Now that it’s online, we can join in and we’ve already got so much out of it just in the first session.
Sarah and Mike
United Kingdom
The Pre Marriage Course really put us on a firm footing going forward. We thought we were close already but the course helped us have conversations we didn't know we needed to have. And this course forced us to have even more conversations relevant to us in this stage of our marriage.
Sarah and John
United Kingdom
When we have a regular date night, we really notice the difference,
...it means that we stay friends, interested and really invested in the same things as opposed to just drifting apart. That means that we catch stuff really early and don't allow resentment to creep in.
Caroline and Jack
United Kingdom
FAQs
Are The Marriage Course and The Pre-Marriage Course available in languages other than English?
Yes, in some countries, The Marriage Course and The Pre-Marriage Course have been translated into other languages. Please click HERE and use the Find a Course widget to see what courses are available in your region.
Do the courses cost anything?
In most cases, The Marriage Course and The Pre-Marriage Course are free to attend, but some churches or organisations do charge a nominal fee to cover the meal and other running costs. As a guest, you may need to purchase your own Guest Journals.
What is the Alpha Course?
The Marriage Course was created by Alpha International, which also runs Alpha courses around the world. Alpha is a multi-week series of sessions exploring the Christian faith. Each week, the session looks at a different question around faith and is designed to create conversation. Alpha is run all around the globe and everyone is welcome. It runs online, in cafés, churches, universities, homes—you name it! No two Alphas look the same, but they generally have three key things in common: hospitality, a talk and good conversation. Click HERE for more information.
How many sessions are there in The Marriage Course?
The Marriage Course consists of seven consecutive sessions and is designed with the intention that guests attend one session per week.
Where can I buy resources?
As a guest you can purchase any of the Guest Journals through our Resources page HERE. Please do check if the Guest Journals are provided through your course hosts.
What are The Marriage Course session topics?
There are seven sessions of The Marriage Course, looking at the following topics:
- Strengthening Connection
- The Art of Communication
- Resolving Conflict
- The Power of Forgiveness
- The Impact of Family
- Good Sex
- Love in Action
How long is The Marriage Course?
There are seven weekly sessions and each session lasts approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes including your conversations with each other as a couple.
Where can I get The Marriage Book?
The Marriage Book was written by Nicky and Sila Lee, founders of TheMarriage Courses and is available to buy in your region through the Resources page. You can also find it on Amazon, as an e-book version, suitable for Kindle.
What’s a Guest Journal?
If you are doing The Pre-Marriage Course online, you will need to buy two copies of the relevant Guest Journal (one per person).You can check the availability of Guest Journals in your region and language on the Resources page. Please note that availability varies by country.
Can I go through the sessions online without joining a group?
Yes, The Marriage Course and The Pre-Marriage Course are both available online. Visit The Marriage Courses Online platform and create an account to access the support material and video sessions. We recommend you purchase your Guest Journals (two per couple) for your course. Visit the Resources page (top menu).
My partner and I have finished attending The Marriage Course or The Pre-Marriage Course. What’s next?
After the course, it is important that as a couple, you continue to put into practice what you've learned to help keep your marriage strong and healthy. As a starting point we recommend you visit our blog (top menu) for articles and guidance.
Sometimes couples require additional help. As a first step, we recommend you ask your course leader for a referral. They can often recommend someone suited to your needs and based near you.
What does an in-person session look like?
If you attend The Marriage Course or The Pre-Marriage Course in person through a church or organisation in your area, each session should have the environment of a date-night: relaxed, romantic, and private. We ask our course leaders to make the evening as welcoming as possible. When you arrive at your course you should be seated at your own table for two, as we believe each couple should have privacy and not have to share anything about your relationship with anyone other than your partner. You should be served a meal in a romantic setting while listening to practical talks that are informative and fun. Background music will ensure that you have complete privacy for your conversations. Arrangements will vary from course to course depending on where it is being held and who is running it, but this is how we recommend the evening be set up.
I can’t make every session. Is it still possible to attend the rest of the course?
Yes. To get the most out of The Marriage Course or The Pre-Marriage Course we recommend you try to come to every session, but if you do miss one you could always ask the course organiser to catch you up by sending you the missed session’s episode. You can then work through it with your Guest Journals in your own time. We do not recommend you attempt to do the whole course on your own like this.
We’re not married but live together, which course should we attend?
If you’ve been cohabiting for more than two years and are not engaged or considering marriage, we recommend you try The Marriage Course. If you’ve been living together or married for less than a year and you are not aware of any major issues to address, it’s a great idea to attend The Pre-Marriage Course.
How do I find a course near me?
To find a course near you, click on either The Pre-Marriage Course or The Marriage Course in the top menu and then choose Find out about attending and the Attend a course button where you can search for a course by country, city, or area code. If you’re having trouble finding a course where you are, you can look at doing the course online or please get in touch with your local Alpha Office who will be happy to help (The Marriage Course is a part of Alpha International).
Are your courses only for Christians?
While The Marriage Course and The Pre-Marriage Course are based on Christian principles, they are designed for couples with or without a Christian faith. We would love any couple to feel welcome to attend whether or not they have a Christian faith or any religious faith at all. We are confident all couples will find the courses relevant and helpful for their relationship.
Who can attend The Marriage Course or The Pre-Marriage Course?
We would love any couple to feel welcome to attend The Marriage Course, whether married or in a long-term, cohabitating relationship. The Pre-Marriage Course is ideal for engaged couples, newlyweds, or couples exploring the idea of marriage.
What’s the difference between The Marriage Course and The Pre-Marriage Course?
Both The Marriage Course and The Pre-Marriage Course have a similar structure, with the environment of a date night and an emphasis on private discussions for each couple. The key difference is that The Pre-Marriage Course is for engaged couples and those considering marriage, whereas we recommend The Marriage Course for couples who have been married for at least two years. The Pre-Marriage Course can also include a Couple Survey which each guest completes in advance of the course. Following the course they look at the results of their survey over a meal with a designated married "Support Couple".
How many courses are running globally?
Currently we have over 8,000 courses, run in 117 countries, in 45 languages.
What is The Marriage Course?
The Marriage Course has been run in over 117 countries for over 1.5 million couples and consists of two courses: The Marriage Course and The Pre-Marriage Course. The Marriage Course and The Pre-Marriage Course recognise the need to help couples with their relationships. The Marriage Course was developed in 1996 by Nicky and Sila Lee (authors of The Marriage Book) for couples looking for practical support to strengthen their relationship. The course equips couples with tools and techniques to keep the spark alive and stay connected. There is no group work and each couple’s conversations are completely private.
Trusted by over 1,500,000 couples worldwide
The Marriage Course and The Pre-Marriage Course have been successfully run in over 117 countries worldwide since they were created by Nicky and Sila Lee, authors of The Marriage Book.
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