A great marriage takes a lot of effort, it just doesn’t magically happen. One of the best ways that you can invest into your marriage is to attend a conference or seminar. At these events, you can get away to learn more about building the oneness that God desires for you both—and they are fun too! Here are a few that coming to our area:

• Financial Peace University—Financial problems are a leading cause of marital stress. Learn ways to manage your finances, payoff debt and to be generous with the many blessings God has given you. The small groups consist of video teaching by Dave Ramsey and interaction.  Groups are forming this March 2012.  Check out the kiosks located in the lobby for group locations.
• Pre-Marriage Class—Couples who participate in some type of premarital preparation are 30 percent less likely to divorce!  This fun class will cover communication, conflict, finances, love languages and more.  It’s a great way to invest into your marriage plus it’s required if you’re married at EBC or by an EBC pastor.  You’ll receive a certificate upon completion of the class that will entitle you to a huge discount on your marriage license!  The next class is June 1st and 2nd at the Lino Lakes Campus.   We’ve also scheduled a fall class for October 5th and 6th at the Lino Lakes Campus. 
• Couple Check-up Online Tool - Whether you’re married, engaged, or dating – this online inventory covers 20 relationship areas, and delivers a report and discussion guide to help you strengthen your relationship.
• Family Life Conference ”Weekend to Remember” - You will receive marriage-changing principles that you can take home and apply to your daily lives that will strengthen your marriage.  Here in Minnesota, this fun getaway weekend will be held at the Double Tree Hotel Downtown Rochester, March 23 – 25.  
• Retrouvaille – The word Retrouvaille_™ (pronounced re-tro-vi with a long i.) is a French word meaning rediscovery. The program offers tools needed to rediscover a loving marriage relationship. Thousands of couples headed for cold, unloving relationships or divorce have successfully overcome their marriage problems by attending the program. The Retrouvaille Program consists of a weekend experience combined with a series of 6-12 post-weekend sessions over 3 months. It provides the tools to help put your marriage in order again. The main emphasis of the program is on communication in marriage between husband and wife. It will give you the opportunity to rediscover each other and examine your lives together in a new and positive way.

 

Anyone who has been married for a while will tell you that having a good marriage takes work and we all have seen relationships around us go down in flames. As a matter of fact, the following statistics can be quite sobering:

• 32% of NEWLYWEDS separate or divorce by their fourth anniversary

• 52% of FIRST marriages end in divorce

• 64% of SECOND marriages end in divorce

• 85% of THIRD marriages end in divorce

In order to build a thriving and healthy marriage, there are trained marriage mentors that you can link with to encourage marriage maximization. Our desire is for couples to experience the fullness of marriage and the oneness that God desires for you and the transformation that happens when individuals and couples follow God’s plan for your life. A marriage mentor is a brain to pick, an ear to listen and the encouragement needed to take your relationship to the next level. You won’t get lectures from a “know-it-all”—you’ll simply connect with another couple that is further down the road.

To find out more information about this short term program or to sign up for a couple to mentor you, e-mail Trent Anderson.

God has wired us for relationships and probably one of the healthiest things you can do as a couple is to join a small group. A small group is designed to help you connect with God and others. You’ll see that you’re not alone and you’ll experience the joy of doing life in community with others. To learn more about small groups, visit eaglebrookchurch.com.