Premarital Counseling
The Bible teaches that marriage is a beautiful gift given from God to a man and a woman for the purpose of bringing Him glory and making us holy. Godly marriage is a parable (earthly story with a heavenly meaning) that mirrors Christ’s relationship with the church. (Ephesians 5:31-33) Knowing this, Grace Community Church takes very seriously its responsibility to shepherd couples who are moving towards marriage. To that end we offer the following premarital counseling opportunities.
Preparing For Marriage ClassThis class is offered many times throughout the year at Grace. Based upon the workbook Preparing For Marriage this class is a 9 hour course that is spread out over 6 weeks. In this class, couples will cover all areas of marriage including the purpose for marriage, communication, conflict resolution, finances, the roles of the husband & wife and sexual intimacy. During this class you will get solid Biblical counseling, interactive role playing and the opportunity to experience community with other couples who are preparing for marriage as well.
Marriage Mentor PartnersTHE PURPOSE OF MARRIAGE MENTOR PARTNERSHIPSThe purpose of this ministry is to provide engaged couples with the relational discipleship necessary to help them get their marriage started on a strong foundation in Christ.

THE STRATEGY OF MARRIAGE MENTOR PARTNERSHIPS

The two-step strategy of Marriage Mentor Partnerships involves pre-wedding and a full year of post-wedding mentoring done by a Godly couple who are mature in their faith in Christ and in their marriage.

THE BIBLICAL MANDATE

Titus 2:1-15, I Peter 3:1-7, Matthew 28:19-20, Acts.2: 42-47

PRE-WEDDING MENTORING

The Pre-Wedding Mentoring Partnership is geared to help you as an engaged couple with the application of the information you will gather during the Premarital Counseling Course. Here is what you can expect from the Pre-Wedding aspect of your Marriage Mentor Partnership:

  • During the Premarital Counseling Course you will be matched with a married couple who is mature in their faith in Christ and in their marriage.
  • You will meet regularly with your Mentors to go over and apply the information gained from the Course, guiding you to your wedding day.
  • Your Mentor Couple will focus on your spiritual life as a couple as well as the practical “how to’s” of marriage.

POST-WEDDING MENTORING

The Post-Wedding Mentoring Partnership will be for a period of one year.  At the end of that year the newlywed couple and the mentoring couple can determine whether or not to continue. Here is what you can expect from the Post-Wedding aspect of your Marriage Mentor Partnership.

  • Your Mentor Couple will touch base with you  twice  a month for prayer, equipping, “tweaking”,    and encouragement for your new marriage.
  • Your Mentor Couple will be your accountability in the areas of Biblical manhood and womanhood to make sure you are “getting it” as a newlywed couple and growing strong.

QUALIFICATIONS OF MARRIAGE MENTORS

What Can you Expect From Your Mentor Couple?

  • A maturity in Christ evidenced  by Godly living and counsel.
  • A couple happily married at least 7 years who demonstrate a Christ honoring marriage.
  • Ongoing training and practical experience as a mentor.

“Without counsel plans fail but with many advisers they succeed.”  Proverbs 15:22

Marital Counseling
While marriage is a holy covenant between 3 people, a man, woman and God, we understand that men and women have a sin nature and that can cause lots of problems in a marriage when both people are not abiding and growing in their walk with Christ. These marriage issues can become very painful and lead to anger, depression, loneliness, bitterness, isolation and brokenness. Grace Marital Counseling is prepared to help couples get back on track and find hope, healing and restoration for their marriage. We serve a God who is all about restoration and resurrection. If he can heal and raise people from the dead then he can heal and raise marriages from the dead. He has given us a manual called the Bible that points us to all we need to grow in Christ and in our marriage.Through study, the proper application of the word, reliance upon the Holy Spirit and engagement in biblical community couples can walk in wholeness and have the strong marriage they desire.  In our marriage counseling we will encourage you to have mentor partners or advocates as well to help you as a couple apply the counsel given during the counseling sessions.  Marriage counseling will be done by a pastor at Grace or with Holly & David Smigel, our ministry partner with Journey Counseling Services.
Twelve Stones MinistriesAn intensive 4 day retreat center for the most broken of marriages where the married couple can be immersed in Biblical counseling and therapy in a setting that is both serene and away from the craziness of life.  In order for a couple to be considered for Twelve Stones they must go through Grace’s marriage counseling and a recommendation must be made by one of our pastors for a couple to attend.www.twelvestones.org