Choosing a Theme

As with any other type of retreat, narrowing in on a specific theme for your marriage retreat will help to form the weekend.

The most successful marriage retreats today are those that not only bring in the biblical intent of marriage, but also address the issues couples are facing today – with a biblical approach.  Identifying what your congregational needs are will help you to choose the theme that fits your retreat the best. Let your entire committee be involved in selecting the theme – they will need to incorporate this into each of their specific areas.

Once you have selected a theme, you can begin to program your event.  Choosing a speaker (or speakers) that can teach with experience and integrity on the theme will be important.  As you plan your keynote topics – keep them broader to the entire group.  Allow your breakout sessions to handle the more sensitive topics such as finances, sexuality, parenting, and even separation/divorce.  If you know some areas will be very sensitive – try to keep those class sizes smaller – maybe even offering some one on one time with a Pastor or Leader equipped to help those couples.  Remember…this retreat can and likely will be very emotional – be prepared with enough staff to pray for & counsel every need that arises.

Include Praise & Worship Music into your keynote sessions – this is a great opportunity for couples to worship together & prepare their hearts for this time of teaching.

While the sessions will be an important time during the retreat, providing couples with private time is equally important.  They need time for discussion, prayer & intimacy.  If you think this will be difficult, assign a project for husbands & wives to complete privately together to encourage this time.  Make sure they know that this is not something they will need to report back on.

Plan free time!  Recreation can not only be stimulating individually – but also as a couple.  This is time away from the kids, jobs, and, other responsibilities.  Free time can allow couples to revitalize & refresh their marriage.

If we remember that the priority of this event is to bring our Couples closer together & closer to God – the rest will come together!