Curriculum

Les Parrott III, Ph.D., Leslie Parrott, Ed.D. & Tim Clinton, Ed.D.

An introduction to the ministry of Marriage Mentoring, the Parrotts and Dr. Clinton describe the benefits of beginning and
sustaining a Marriage Mentor program in your church. Strengthening couples is one of the most important functions of the Church and its growth. Properly caring for, and feeding, the marital relationship is an essential goal of ministry.

John Trent, Ph.D.

Let’s face it. You’re already incredibly busy, tired, challenged, stressed, and like most, pulled in a hundred different directions. You know – like we all do – that we need to make changes in our lives. But we’re so busy! So overwhelmed! Change seems to most of us like a 180 degree turn – a feat so overwhelming we don’t know where to begin. Yet what Dr. Trent points out in this powerful lesson is that it’s two degree changes that can help us build a closer family, a stronger faith, and even lead to better health. When you make the commitment to this powerful, simple and biblical premise – the key to making positive, lasting changes in our homes, our health and our hearts for God comes from making a series of “Two Degree Changes.”

H. Norman Wright, M.A., M.R.E.

Marriage counselors repeatedly hear, “We just can’t communicate!” If couples can’t communicate, the marriage won’t work. Norm Wright, perhaps the “ambassador” of marital communications in the Church, explains how couples can talk together – to really listen to each other and positively know that they are being heard. You will learn how to understand and express true feelings while considering your spouse’s views. These elements of good communication allow couples stuck at an impasse to begin growing closer together, and help them become able to work together to solve whatever problems arise in their shared lives.

Ron Hawkins, Ed.D., D.Min.

If marriage is a picture of the relationship between Christ and His Church, then husbands and wives should have a solid spiritual relationship together. But that isn’t always the case, in fact, it is most likely not the case. Dr. Hawkins explains how you can help couples experience God in their marriage relationship.

Gary Chapman, Ph.D.

“All you need is love..,” a song immortalized by The Beatles, captures a deeply held belief many hold. While it is not quite that simple, as love will not pay the bills, it does keep the bill-payers together. This course weaves together definitions of the various threads of love that need to be integrated into the tapestry of a flourishing, lifelong marriage.

Tim Clinton, Ed.D.

Conflictual marriages—couples who fight, bite, and devour one another—are the staple of most counseling ministries. Let’s face it, marriage is hard work, and lifelong marriage is nearly impossible to sustain without godly and human help at critical times. Dr. Clinton reveals how distress, drift, and disaffection in marriage are halted and turned around—even among hateful and hopeless couples.

Mark Crawford, Ph.D.

One of the most pressing issues affecting marital satisfaction is the daily stress of managing and raising a family. Dr. Crawford teaches us how to make the marital relationship a priority in the midst of the daily pressures associated with the busyness of family relationships.

Mark Laaser, Ph.D. & Debbie Laaser

How does a couple get past the pain and betrayal of infidelity? Can the marriage survive? Will it be successful or just a marriage full of pain and regret? Mark and Debbie speak from experience when they share their struggles, pain and ultimate joy and satisfaction in a marriage that has recovered from infidelity. They share with you how you can teach other couples to overcome this seemingly tragic situation.

Sharon Hart May, Ph.D.

Do you ever long for a place where you are totally and completely accepted? Where your dreams and desires can be shared without recourse or ridicule? Dr. May has spent years studying those kinds of relationships and shares with you her experience in helping couples achieve a safe-haven marriage.

David Stoop, Ph.D., & Jan Stoop, Ph.D.

Who does forgiveness hurt? What’s involved in the process of forgiveness? Is it absolutely necessary for couples to completely and totally forgive? What about all transgressions? Is it possible to forgive even the worst marital offense? The Stoops share with you the process and necessity of forgiving one another in order to have a marriage built on trust.