Q: When will the next Dynamic Marriage class be held?
A: We plan to start new classes the week of April 9, 2007.
Q: What is the time commitment for the class?
A: It requires a considerable time commitment from each couple for the 8 weeks: 2.5 hours per week for the class and about 1 hour per day of "homework" - reading, answering questions & discussion. A verbal commitment by each participant to attend all sessions (except for emergencies) & complete all homework is requirement of the course.
Q: What is the cost of the course and what materials will I receive?
A: The only cost for the course is for materials, which is $150 per couple. Materials includes 1 copy of His Needs, Her Needs - Building an Affair-Proof Marriage by Dr. Willard Harley (hardback), 1 copy of Love Busters:Overcoming Habits that Destroy Romantic Love by Dr. Willard Harley(hardback), 2 copies of 5 Steps to Romantic Love by Dr. Willard Harley (workbook), 2 class handbooks and 2 audio CDs. (If you already have either hardback book, the cost will be reduced.)
Q: Where will the next class be held & who will facilitate this class.?
A: We have not yet chosen a venue or the facilitator couples for the upcoming classes.
Q: How many couples will participate?
A: The course is designed for and will be limited to 12 participant couples plus the facilitator couple.
Q: If the husband or wife cannot attend, can the other partner attend by themselves?
A: No, the course is designed for couples. There would be little benefit (and maybe even harm) for only one spouse to attend.
Q: When can we sign up?
A: The registration period will begin March 18th and will close April 1st .
Q: What is the course content?
A: The course is based on 2 popular & highly successful books by Dr. Willard Hurley: His Needs, Her Needs and Love Busters. The structure & format of the course was developed by professional trainer and well known Marriage speaker Joe Beam, who is also founder & President of Family Dynamics.
Q: What is Family Dynamics?
A: Family Dynamics Institute is a non-profit, non-denominational organization that provides training courses designed to help strengthen families and marriages from a christian perspective. One of the courses they have developed is Marriage Dynamics, which is the 8 week course that we will be offering. More information on Family Dynamics is available at their website: www.familydynamics.net
Q: What teaching style is used in the class?
A: The classes are facilitator led - the facilitator couple setup the class, create the desired structure & environment for the class and lead the class on a weekly basis according to the pre-subscribed format. The facilitator does no teaching, preaching, advising or counseling of the participants at any time during the 8 weeks.
Learning takes place by self-instruction - participants actually teach themselves through the use of the course materials, the interaction with their spouse & the interaction with the other students in the class. Much of the learning takes place as couples do their homework - reading, answering questions, discussing and praying
together. During the class sessions, they learn by hearing from the other couples, and receive encouragement & affirmation from the sharing and activities that are done in the class. Q: Is this class based on the Bible?
A: Dr. Hurley's books are not considered Christian books (i.e. use very few scripture references) but are based
on biblical principals. The other course materials add basic scriptures and prayer to the concepts presented in
the books. The class ends up being quite spiritual due to the nature of the topic and the sharing that takes place,
but it is not a Bible Study class on marriage.
Q: Will it be safe to share things about my marriage during the class?
A: The class utilizes a highly structured setup & format that has been developed over the past 10 years to promote openness & sharing at a very deep level about attitudes & feelings regarding self, spouse and the state of the marriage relationship. Every effort is made to create a safe & positive environment, including a pledge of confidentiality and a promise by each participant to fully participate in the sharing and homework activities every week. These agreements are enforced and participants can be asked to leave the class for violating the agreements.
Q: If more than 12 couples sign up for the first class, how will the selection process work?
A: The optimal class contains a mix of older and younger couples, couples who have been married for a long time and a short time, and those who are struggling in their marriages as well as couples who have "good" marriages. All couples to be considered must have strong desire to see their marriage grow and are motivated to make positive changes. Final selection will be based on information supplied on the registration form as well as on interviews with prospective participants.
Q: Can non-members of the North River Church participate?
A: Yes, non-members are invited and welcomed. It is our prayer that Dynamic Marriage will be an effective tool for helping marriages in our community.
Q: Can engaged couples participate?
A: Yes, as long as their wedding date is within 6 months. There are certain sections of the class that discuss topics that are not appropriate for engaged couples, so they will be asked to "sit out" during those times, but this is only a small portion of the course. The number of engaged couples in a class will be limited.
Q: Are their plans for more classes in the future?
A: Yes, the leadership team at North River plans to offer Dynamic Marriage classes on an ongoing basis. The goal is to make enough classes available so that every married couple who has an interest in taking the class will have an opportunity.
Q: Can I talk to someone who has already completed the class?
A: Yes, there is a list of couples who have completed the class that would be happy to discuss their experiences. Please contact Alan or Dovie Bohnhoff at 770-575-0008 or
abohnhoff@iname.com for more information.
Q: Is babysitting provided?
A: No, babysitting is the responsibility of the individual participant couple. No children or other non-participant visitors are allowed during the class.
Q: Is any marriage help available after the class is over?
A: There is a 10 week follow-up class that we plan to offer for Dynamic Marriage graduates called Dynamic Love. This is a one hour class with a similar to the group format used Dynamic Marriage, but with less reading and homework. This class is based on the book Becoming One by Joe Beam which focuses on building intimacy with your spouse and with God.