Pre-Marital Counseling

We know it is easy to get swept up in the busyness of planning for a wedding and in the process, forget you really need to be planning for a marriage. Our desire for premarital counseling is to guide you into a deeper understanding of the Gospel and Jesus’ purpose for your life and future marriage, by encouraging you to grapple with hard questions and look for hope, meaning, and change through prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit and community. We believe Jesus, not your feelings, hopes or dreams, fuels a strong marriage.

We are all sinners in need of a Savior. Despite our deep love for God and this other person, we are all tempted to worship ourselves at times. Temptation is not a sin; acting upon it is a sin. Marriage will expose where you are weak. Addressing points of temptation allows for humble repentance and vigilant fighting for truth in our marriages. It opens our eyes to the condition of our hearts and continually reminds us of our desperate need of the truth of the gospel in our marriages.

We believe it is helpful to know how personality, family history, and communication skills can impact and influence your marriage, but we must not rely on acquiring tips to improve our marriages but depend on the Holy Spirit for continual heart change.

Our hope through premarital counseling is:

:: Deepen your grasp of the gospel as you see your need for continual renewal throughout your marriage.
:: Develop an understanding that the most difficult parts of marriage (communication, finances, and intimacy) are, at the root, heart-level issues.
:: Be challenged in practical ways that help you grow together as a couple, loving and serving each other sacrificially and unconditionally.
:: Be equipped to glorify God as fully as possible through your marriage.

Our process:

:: Four teaching sessions coupled with counseling in community
:: Homework done with an advocate couple (preferably from your City Group)
:: Supplemented by the book Sacred Marriage and a participant guide

If you are not a part of The Paradox Church please know that our Premarital Counseling process is available to you as well. We believe marriage is a covenant for life and we take the preparation seriously. We desire to serve couples in our city by building strong marriages that are prepared to endure the long haul.

Apply for premarital counseling here. For any questions you might have please email Ryan.