How does the MCC help Couples prepare for Marriage?

This blog is an outline of what couples might expect if they ask me to perform their wedding. Because marriage is ordained by God as the union of one man and one woman (Genesis 2.18-25; 1 Corinthians 7), represents Christ and His Church (Ephesians 5.22-33), and is to be held in honor by all (Hebrews 13.4), The Master’s Community Church takes marriage as a serious commitment [see The Master’s Community Church Doctrinal Statement, Section XXII: The Family].

I thus require a minimum of six Biblical marriage instruction sessions. Several resources (books and articles) will be required reading and each of these sessions will involve some work outside of the counseling session. See below the order of session topics and resources to be covered.

1. The nature of Christian marriage from the Biblical Texts cited above.  In preparation for that meeting, please individually write a response to the following two questions: “What makes you think that your marriage will endure when nearly half of Evangelical marriages end in divorce?” And “What makes you a good match for your spouse?” Answer each question in 200-300 words (total of 400-600 for both).
2. The importance of the personal spiritual disciplines, including church membership [please have read Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney].
3. Husband/wife communication [please have read The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller].
4. Biblical financial stewardship [please have read The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey].
5. Knowing God’s will and decision making in marriage [please have read No Ordinary Marriage by Tim Savage].
6. Biblical sexuality [please have read Intimate Issues by Linda Dillow and Lorraine Pintis].

I lead in these counseling sessions, and at times involve other elders, interns, and MCC families in the counseling to provide the couple with a sense of what marriage looks like in a local church.

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME DELAYED START SUNDAY

Don't lose any sleep over it! We have a delayed start on Sunday, March 10, 2024

EH/MK 10:30-11:20
Worship: 11:30-1:00