A free course which is a series of seven sessions designed to help couples invest in their relationship.
Whether married for six months or 40 years, whether in a good place or struggling, the course helps couples navigate the modern challenges of marriage.
The sessions will feel like a date night where each couple has their own table and private space to watch the course materials and chat 1:1, with the evening facilitated by course leaders Graham and Emma Bettes.
Each session video features leading experts, teaching content, and stories from around the globe.
When: 7:30pm-9:15pm on Mondays, from 24th Feb to 7th Apr
Where: Reading Gateway Church@ St Agnes in church hall 292 Northumberland Avenue RG2 8DD
Tea, coffee and sweet treats provided
Is the Marriage Course any good?
The Marriage Course was established nearly 30 years ago and since then more than 1.5m couples in at least 117 countries have completed the course.
99% say that the course had a positive impact on their marriage, and 73% experienced significant improvement in their relationship from the course.
Is the Marriage Course for us?
The course materials are designed for married or long-term cohabiting couples, at any age and stage, who are looking to invest in building a better, stronger marriage.
If you are engaged or have been married for less than 2 years we’d recommend attending the Pre-Marriage Course instead. We will be running a Pre-Marriage Course at Reading Gateway Church between May and July.
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.
Our marriage is good/okay/great/terrible, should we still attend?
If your marriage is in a great place then you can think of the Marriage Course as a “Marriage MOT”. If things are hard right now then the Marriage Course is a fantastic safe space to learn and use practical tools to deepen your connection, resolve conflict and keep the spark alive.
There is never a bad time to invest time and energy in your marriage.
I'm not a Christian, can I still attend?
Yes absolutely. The Marriage Course is based on Christian principles but designed for couples with or without a Christian faith.
What is the format?
Each couple will be sat at a private table and space to ensure privacy for the evening. The evening will run with a combination of video course content and then space for each couple to privately discuss the topics and questions posed.
Do we have to discuss our marriage with other people?
No. The Marriage Course is designed so that you and your partner have space to discuss in a 1:1 environment. Your conversations will be private and you will not be asked to share any of your discussion with the wider group or the course facilitators.
Is it counselling?
No. The Marriage Course is like a date night, based on some prompting questions and video content. The course facilitators are there to ensure smooth running and a safe space.
Who is leading the course?
The Marriage Course is still led by it’s original founders Nicky and Sila Lee along with a series of experts, all via a prerecorded video that will be shown. Your course facilitators will be Graham and Emma Bettes, themselves Marriage Course (and pre-Marriage Course) graduates. Graham and Emma are members of Reading Gateway Church and will celebrate their 10 year anniversary this year.
How long is the Marriage Course?
There are seven weekly sessions and each session lasts approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes including your conversations with each other as a couple.
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.
What will be covered?
Each of the 7 weeks covers a different topic.
The topics are (1) Strengthening Connection, (2) The Art of Communication, (3) Resolving conflict, (4) The Power of Forgiveness, (5) The Impact of Family, (6) Good Sex, and (7) Love in Action.
How much does it cost?
The Marriage Course is free to attend. Voluntary donations to support our ongoing marriage ministry are welcome.
Will there be food?
There will not be a meal provided as part of the sessions so please do have food beforehand. Hot and cold drinks plus light snacks will be provided.
Do we need to bring anything with us?
Just yourselves. A Marriage Course workbook will be provided along with light refreshments.
Where can I learn more before signing up?
Additional information can be found on the Marriage Course website here - https://www.themarriagecourse.org/
