Resources:
Marriage Resources for Churches
Find Focus on the Family broadcasts, best-in-class books,
referral recommendations, and more.
Essentials of Marriage Series by Focus on the Family (2009)
This series features relationship experts who share practical wisdom, honest confessions, and decades of experience. Each study stands independently:
- Handle With Care: Emotions, Finance, Sexuality
- Who Did You Really Marry? Love Languages, Personality Types, Communication
Focus on the Family Marriage Series
This Bible study series gives couples a better understanding of God’s plan for marriage. The flexibility of each study allows for small group settings, Sunday school, and more.
- The Abundant Marriage
- The Blended Marriage
- The Covenant Marriage
- The Fighting Marriage
- The Giving Marriage
- The Masterpiece Marriage
- The Model Marriage
Fully Alive by Dr. Larry Crabb
“A Biblical Vision of Gender That Frees Men and Women to Live Beyond Stereotypes”
Teach Your Children About Marriage—Part I and Part II (Focus on the Family online booklets)
These guides provide biblical foundations and tangible suggestions to help you understand marriage from God’s perspective— and they offer creative ideas for talking about marriage to children at different ages and stages.
Embracing the Unique Aspects of Male and Female (Dr. Larry Crabb)
Crabb talks about how God created men and women as relational beings, but we too often allow fear prevent us from embracing authentic masculinity and femininity as we fulfill God’s purpose in our lives.
Saving Marriages Before They Start (Roger and Diane Ingolia)
The Ingolias pass along wisdom they’ve learned from 37 years of marriage, and they talk about the value of helping other marriages thrive by investing in young couples.
The Value of Marriage Mentoring (Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott, Dr. Greg Smalley)
A mentoring ministry varies as it relates to newlyweds, marriages in crisis, or couples who just need a boost from good to great. Not only do the other couples benefit, but the mentoring couple can also experience a higher level of intimacy and cohesion in their own marriage.
The Complete Resource Kit for Marriage Mentoring by Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott
Offering practical insights and hands-on resources, the Parrotts help churches train husband-and-wife teams to create a successful marriage mentoring program—with skills for preparing engaged and newlywed couples, helping good marriages become great, and repairing marriages in distress. The kit includes a 10-session DVD and one copy each of the following:
- The Complete Guide to Marriage Mentoring
- Marriage Mentor Training Manual for Husbands
- Marriage Mentor Training Manual for Wives
- 51 Creative Ideas for Marriage Mentors
Date Night Challenge by Focus on the Family
With marriage tips, comedy, and music all on one DVD, you can host an evening for couples in your church, neighborhood, and community—helping them strengthen their relationship and have fun!
Date Night Challenge Church Kit by Focus on the Family
This customizable event includes comedy from Dennis Swanberg; teaching from Pastor Ted Cunningham; marriage insights from Greg and Erin Smalley; and stories from Christian artists Matthew West, Plum, Laura Story, and others.
The Family Project™ by Focus on the Family
This 12-session small group curriculum explores the theological, philosophical, and cultural foundation for the family. Topics range from marriage and sexuality, to family dynamics and how families can serve God. Visit familyproject.com to learn more.
Ready to Wed™ Kit: Preparing Couples for a Marriage They’ll Love by Focus on the Family
Pastors and mentors can prepare engaged couples for the joys and challenges of lifelong marriage. This 10-session series covers finances, in-laws, intimacy, chores, and more. It includes DVDs, a leader’s guide, two copies of the couple’s workbook, a copy of Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley’s book Ready to Wed, and promotional materials for church launches.
Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
Through six sessions, Thomas equips you to reflect the character of Christ so you can fulfill God’s design for your marriage and better love your spouse: “God’s Purpose for Marriage,” “The Refining Power of Marriage,” “The God-Centered Spouse,” “Sacred History,” “Sexual Saints,” and “Marriage: The Love Laboratory.”
Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts by Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott
This study focuses on seven time-tested questions to debunk myths, bridge the gender gap, and help you develop skills you’ll need for a loving and lasting future together as husband and wife. (The kit includes a nine-session DVD, one copy of the Parrott’s book, a leader’s guide, one woman’s workbook, and one man’s workbook.)
Focus on Marriage Assessment
Based on research and experience from Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley, we’ve created valid and reliable questions that evaluate the strength of 12 essential traits of your marriage—areas such as communication, conflict, and commitment. The assessment is free and takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Focus on the Family Counseling Consultation Line
If you need someone to talk to, Focus on the Family offers a free phone counseling consultation with a licensed or pastoral counselor. Call 1-855-771-HELP (4357), Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM (MT).
Focus on the Family’s Christian Counselor Network
Search for licensed Christian counselors in your area.
Hope Restored® marriage intensives—a ministry of Focus on the Family
Our intensive programs are held in a retreat setting and are designed to rebuild and restore marriages experiencing significant hurt.
Marriage Dynamics Institute
This ministry offers classes and workshops to help couples build strong marriages.
FamilyLife Ministries
This ministry organizes conferences and workshops on stress, conflict, and intimacy.
Marriage Alive International, Inc.
This ministry offers seminars to meet the specific needs of couples in all seasons of life.
Ministries Resource Center, Inc.
This retreat center for pastors and their spouses provides an environment that nurtures healthy and fulfilling relationships.
Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott
The Parrotts offer marriage seminars and a variety of assessment tools to help people develop healthy relationships.
Passionate Commitment
Psychologist Dr. Cliff Penner, his wife, Joyce (a clinical nurse specialist), and other therapists offer counseling for a variety of individual, relational, and intimacy issues.
PREP, Inc.
This organization offers premarital and marriage seminars and resources as well as seminars for mental health professionals, pastors, and lay leaders interested in marriage counseling.
PREPARE/ENRICH
This online relationship inventory and skill-building program is uniquely tailored to each couple.
