Growing a Strong Marriage: Leader’s Guide
God’s heart is for you to establish a Godly, healthy marriage that will glorify Him and bring you many years of joy together. Everything worthy has a cost, and this relationship takes intentional investment and time on your part. Premarital counseling with a community of believers around you can support this growth and foundational investment. Couples are encouraged to spend adequate time and focus learning about God’s design for their marriage and then take practical steps to live it out.
ACCFS Home PageGrowing a Strong Marriage
Leader Introduction Video
A short video introduction to the Growing a Strong Marriage booklet. View Here
The Marriage Journey
The stages listed are meant to help the reader consider and identify common phases involved when an individual moves from singleness to marriage. It is not an exhaustive or prescriptive formula for the marriage process but can be used to raise discussion and increase perspective.
So Now You Are Engaged...
This booklet contains resources for couples in early engagement. This resource can be used by church leadership in their initial meeting with an engaged couple.
Marriage Modules
These modules are part of the biblically based series of resources that can be used to counsel and encourage premarital couples as well as strengthen and nurture discussion with couples of all ages.
Marriage Modules
Accountability Questions for Engaged Couples
Prayerfully review these questions before the Lord and with a mature, spiritual mentor or minister. They are intended to encourage a level of accountability as you strive to have a God-honoring engagement which can be a testimony to others of the work which God is doing in your lives.
View Here
Supplemental Materials
A Triangular Model of Love
How do you define love? Is it a feeling or a choice? Both? Love can be hard to describe and define because it has multiple facets and meanings. This handout shows how several aspects of love interact for the purpose of helping you better understand love in marital relationships.
Learn MoreThe Past's Impact on the Present Marriage: Attachment
Marital distress happens. Pain will occur. And when it does, our attachment styles will kick into full gear. In this podcast episode, learn what attachment styles are, how they are written, and the difference it makes in the marriage relationship.
Learn MoreThe Past's Impact on the Present Marriage: Emotion
In this podcast episode, untangle the knot spousal communication can find itself in because we are not decoding the emotions in the room correctly.
Learn MoreThe Past's Impact on the Present Marriage: Trauma
In this podcast episode, discover the impact past trauma plays in present marriages. Understanding this unwelcome visitor in our today marriage relationship provides a great deal of explanation for the interactions we experience between spouses.
Learn MoreForgiveness: What It Is, What It Isn't, & How To Do It
Some have said that the most important phrases spoken in life are: “I love you;” “I’m sorry;” and “I forgive you.” While forgiveness is a central concept in Christianity, many people find it to be a confusing process that does not always come easily.
Learn MoreThe Christian Home
By following God’s word, husbands, wives, and parents can create a home that reflects Christ’s love and serves as a testimony of faith to the world.
Learn MoreQuestions to Consider When Reflecting on Your Marriage
The questions below are meant to help you discuss and evaluate a number of aspects of your marriage. They can help you assess how you are doing in each area and identify areas where you are strong or need to grow. Open, respectful communication is key to any godly, healthy relationship, especially a marital relationship.
Learn More
Additional Resources for your Marriage
Click here to browse a list of recommended resources on various marriage-related topics, such as Affection & Love Languages, Communication & Conflict Resolution, Sexuality, and more.
Find Resources Here
Marriage Events
Marriage Conferences
ACCFS hosts Cultivating Connections Marriage Conferences annually to help strengthen marriage relationships. Learn moreMarriage Webinars
These webinars look at various aspects of enriching and strengthening the marriage relationship. Learn more
Marriage Resource Webpage
Leader's Portion
Guide to Premarital Counseling
This guide will identify important principles and themes to consider as you work with engaged couples. The purpose of premarital counseling is to develop skills and healthy habits in couples while fostering conversation and strengthening union in Christ.
Learn MoreIndividual Interview Questions at Proposal
This list contains example questions intended to help elders assess the spiritual wellbeing, maturity, emotional stability, and general readiness for an individual to consider when sending or receiving a proposal.
Learn MoreIndividual Interview Questions During Engagement
The questions are intended to help elders monitor the growth of the engaged couple’s relationship to ensure they are moving in a positive direction.
Learn MorePrepare & Enrich Overview
Prepare & Enrich is a research-based assessment for couples (engaged or married) to complete. Prepare & Enrich cultivates a space for learning, growth, and healthy conversations.
Learn MoreRecognition and Assessment for Abuse within Marriage
Destructive words and behaviors strike at the very heart of the marriage union, fracturing its foundation and giving Satan entrance.
Learn MoreA Guide to Marriage Counseling
Shepherding couples to reflect the eternal relationship between Christ and His Church can be rewarding and challenging. It is important and meaningful work, but one that needs to be bathed in prayer with guidance from the Holy Spirit.
Learn More