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Christian Premarital Counseling

The need for Christian premarital counseling is perhaps best illustrated by the staggering divorce statistics that are seen among secular couples as well as couples of faith. Marriage can be extremely challenging under the best of circumstances. When couples come together, they bring with them a number of expectations and viewpoints on marriage that were modeled for them by their own parents. No two people are going to have identical points of view when it comes to relationships. The help of an objective professional can be key when it comes to making sure that expectations are realistic and that everyone is on the same page. The addition of Biblical truth and a strong spiritual component will bring so much more to the advice and counsel that is provided to couples of faith. Before the vows are said, obtaining wise Christian premarital counseling can mean the difference between success and failure for many couples. Homes that are based on Biblical truths and priorities will have a far greater chance of remaining intact. Learning about what the Bible has to say about marriage is vital. But a faith based marital counselor will also generally address such issues as conflict resolution, healthy finances and money management, having children, and communication skills. In fact, the Bible itself has much to say about all of these areas of concern.

With over half of first marriages ending in divorce, effective Christian premarital counseling can help a couple to beat the odds and remain married for years to come. Marriage itself is such an important step, to not make adequate preparations beforehand can be foolish and costly, both emotionally and financially. Premarital counseling is frequently offered by local churches and will often be free of charge or will come as part of the an over all package when a couple selects the church as a wedding location. A number of para church organizations will also offer Christian premarital counseling. In some cases this counseling will be offered free of charge and in others, there may be a fee for such services. It can be assumed that couples who share a strong faith will take their marriage vows very seriously. When the say these couples words till death do us part, they really mean it. But making the intent of those words a reality can be much more difficult than it might at first appear. By examining Christian principles and what the Bible has to say about marriage beforehand, a couple is far better prepared to stick it out and make the marriage work over the long haul.

Both secular and faith based counselors will generally have some kind of training to train them for the work of preparing a couple for marriage. In some cases, the counselor will be a minister or pastor. Or, in other instances, the professional counselor might be someone who is trained in psychology. But the primary difference between Christian premarital counseling and secular counseling is the adherence to Biblical truths. Couples receiving Biblical council will often examine specific scripture verses and how these truths apply to practical life issues. The Bible itself is seen as the final authority rather than clinical or psychological principles. With the scriptures as the final authority and foundation, couples of faith can prepare for marriage in a way that coincides with and reinforces personal faith.

That is not so say that Christian premarital counseling will not also utilize an understanding of basic clinical psychology. A solid background in the field of clinical psychology can be a very valuable asset for a counselor. But if there is a conflict between the secular and the Biblical, the Biblical will have final authority. Even the best prepared couples will most likely continue to need advice after the vows have been said. Obtaining wise counsel in a timely manner can be very important. Problems that are buried, ignored, or allowed to grow unchecked can wreck havoc on even the most committed marriages. Among the topics that many married couples find themselves dealing with are a lack of communication, feeling distant from each other or lacking in intimacy, anger, distrust, nagging, and a number of other difficult issues.

In addition to Christian premarital counseling, there are a number of other resources and helps that a couple can take advantage of as the marriage progresses. Many organizations offer workshops and classes that can aid married couples in avoiding common pitfalls and mistakes. Churches may also offer faith based classes and workshops on the topic of marriage. With divorce rates skyrocketing, taking advantage of Biblically based advice and counseling can make a major difference for most couples. Churches are often looking for effective resources that can provide effective Christian premarital counseling as well as on going support for married couples. By taking advantage of the many helpful resources that are available, spiritual advisors can help keep Christian couples together and their marriages strong. But such resources can be very costly. With church budgets stretched tightly, finding resources that offer information that covers the needs of couples that are preparing for marriage as well as established couples that are interested in marriage enrichment can be very important. The importance of making God the top priority in the home is a truth that is frequently expressed in the Bible. "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." (Psalm 127:1)

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