1. Group Program

2. PREPARE/ENRICH Group Program
Welcome!

3. 1. Sharing Strength & Growth Areas
Ice Breaker:
Tell us how you met each other.

4. Group Discussion
As we begin this program, what is one goal you have for yourself or your relationship? 4

5. Teaching Points PREPARE/ENRICH Inventory Taking PREPARE/ENRICH Online
Based on 30 years of research
An inventory, not a “test”
Work separately and be honest
Need your first names and s to register

6. Ground Rules for Group Everything shared in the group is confidential.
All sharing with other couples is voluntary.
When sharing in the group, speak for yourself and not your partner.
Before sharing something personal about your couple relationship, “check it out” with your partner.
The goal of the group is to learn and have fun together.

7. Couple Exercise Sharing Strength and Growth Areas
All couples have some Strength and Growth Areas
First, complete the exercise on your own without talking to your partner about it.
Once you have both filled out your worksheet, spend about 15 minutes discussing your responses with each other.
* Feel free to move around and find some space to talk privately.

8. Group Wrap Up
What did you think of the exercise? Did you discover anything new?
Sometimes couples struggle with an issue for many years. Do you believe Growth Areas can be improved and overcome?
What do you think is required to turn a Growth Area into a Relationship Strength?

9. Bonus Material & Closing Suggestions
You will receive an from PREPARE/ENRICH with login directions. It should take you between 30 and 45 minutes to complete the inventory.
Remember to be honest and work alone as you complete the inventory.

10. 2. SCOPE Personality
Ice Breaker: What personality trait were you most attracted to when you first met your significant other?

11. Group Discussion
When it comes to personality, do you think “opposites attract” or do “birds of a feather flock together”?
Can you change someone’s personality? What happens when you try? 11

12. Teaching Points
Personality can be defined as the characteristics of a person that lead to a consistent pattern of feeling, thinking, and behaving.
For couples, there are advantages and disadvantages to being similar or different on any given trait.

13. Couple Exercise S = Social C = Change O = Organized P = Pleasing
E = Emotionally Steady
High, average, or low scores can be positive.
Two thirds of the time couples score in different ranges on SCOPE

14. Couple Exercise SCOPE Out Your Personality
First, review your personality SCOPE results from the Couple’s Report.
Next, take a few moments to talk about the discussion questions in the exercise.
* Feel free to move around and find some space to talk privately.

15. Group Wrap Up
What insights did you gain into your relationship as you discussed your personality results?
In what situations are your personality differences most highlighted?
How does your personality align with the roles you fulfill in your relationship?

16. Bonus Material & Closing Suggestions
For more on SCOPE, read Chapter 11 in The Couple Checkup book, “SCOPE Out Your Personalities.”

17. 3. Personal Stress Profile
Ice Breaker: What was your first (or funniest) job?

18. Group Discussion
What do you think are the greatest sources of stress in our lives and culture today?
“Stress either begins or ends up in the relationship” – Dr. David Olson
Do you agree? Do you have an example? 18

19. Teaching Points
A sample of 20,000 married couples was analyzed. The top 5 stressors were:
Your spouse
Your job
Feeling emotionally upset
Inadequate income
Too much to do around the home

20. Teaching Points
No matter the source, stress will affect your relationship.
Stress can be positive or negative, but some stress is normal and good.
Too much stress can cause emotional, physical, and relational problems.
Important coping resources include: communication, conflict resolution, flexibility and faith.

21. Couple Exercise Identifying Most Critical Issues
First, review your Personal Stress Profile results from the Couple’s Report.
Next, complete the exercise.
Bonus Idea: If you finish early, practice your active listening skills by taking a current stressor and talking about your thoughts and feelings related to the issue. Take turns being the speaker and listener.

22. Group Wrap Up
What insights did you have as you completed the exercise?
Does a typical couple have stress levels that are similar or different? What influences an individual’s stress level?
How do you cope with stressors that are difficult to change?
How can communicating about stressors help you both individually and as a couple?

23. Bonus Material & Closing Suggestions
Couple’s Workbook Exercises
Balancing Your Priorities
Wedding Stress

24. 4. Communication: Assertiveness & Active Listening
Ice Breaker: Tell us about your most memorable date as a couple.

25. Group Discussion What does it take to be a good communicator?
What does it take to be a good listener?
How do you feel when healthy communication has occurred?
How do you feel when healthy communication has not occurred? 25

26. Teaching Points
“It takes two to speak the truth One to speak and another to hear.” – H.D.Thoreau
A study of 50,000 couples found communication was the number one predictor of marital happiness.

27. Teaching Points Two important communication skills:
Assertiveness is the ability to express your feelings and ask for what you want in the relationship.
Active Listening is the ability to let your partner know you understand them by restating their message.

28. Couple Exercise
First, review the Relationship Dynamics and Communication results from your Couple’s Report
Breakdown of category items:
Couple Agreement
Disagreement Item
Indecision Item
Special Focus

29. Couple Exercise Creating a Wish List
Start by taking 2-3 minutes as an individual and make your wish list.
Then take turns sharing your wishes as you practice assertiveness and active listening.
* Remember to share and summarize feelings too!

30. Group Wrap Up What was it like to focus on being an active listener?
How did it feel to be listened to in this way?
What did this session provide that might strengthen your relationship?

31. Bonus Material & Closing Suggestions
Keep practicing Assertiveness and Active Listening
Try the Daily Dialogue and Daily Compliments exercise from the Couple’s Workbook.
Read Chapter 3 in The Couple Checkup book, “Communication – The #1 Skill.”

32. Ice Breaker: What is something most people don’t know about you?
5. Conflict Resolution
Ice Breaker: What is something most people don’t know about you?

33. Group Discussion
A majority of couples (78%) report they go out of their way to avoid conflict in their relationship.
What do you think of this strategy?
What are the pros and cons of this approach?
It is not uncommon to talk about winning or losing an argument, but why is there no such thing as a win/lose outcome in relational conflict? 33

34. Teaching Points
All couples have differences and disagreements. Studies show marital happiness is more related to how conflict is handled, and not the number of disagreements experienced.

35. Teaching Points
Conflict can be an opportunity in disguise. When handled well, it can increase understanding intimacy and trust.
What does “handling conflict well” look like?

36. Teaching Points Use good communication skills Avoid mind-reading
Focus on the issue, not the person
Take your partner seriously
Stay specific and in the present
Avoid overgeneralizations
Stay calm
Look for win/win solutions
Use the Ten Steps for Resolving Conflict

37. Couple Exercise Ten Steps for Resolving Conflict
First, review your Conflict Resolution results in the Couple’s Report.
Next, pick and issue and begin working through the Ten Steps for Resolving Conflict.
* Feel free to move around and find some space to talk privately.

38. Group Wrap Up
How do the Relationship Dynamics (Assertiveness, Avoidance, Self Confidence and Partner Dominance) impact Conflict Resolution?
Which of the Ten Steps do you think is most important?
How can these steps lead to a win/win outcome?

39. Bonus Material & Closing Suggestions
Finish the Ten Steps if you didn’t have time during this session.
Couple’s Workbook Exercises
How to Take a Time-Out
Seeking and Granting Forgiveness
Read Chapter 4 in The Couple Checkup book, “Conflict – An Opportunity in Disguise.”
Tape a copy of the Ten Steps to your refrigerator.

40. 6. Financial Management
Ice Breaker: If someone surprised you with a gift of $5,000 today, what would you do with it?

41. Group Discussion
Some people are natural savers, while others love to spend money. Because of this, a couple might consist of:
2 savers
2 spenders
1 saver and 1 spender
Which combination are you?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of each match? 41

42. Group Discussion
Do you think a married couple should have joint or separate accounts?
Why? 42

43. Teaching Points
Focusing on accumulating more money is not what brings happiness and fulfillment. (AARP Study)
Research shows couples at all income levels disagree about money. It doesn’t seem to matter if couples are quite wealthy or have more modest incomes, the same percentage (about 65%) disagree about spending priorities.
Happy couples agree on spending priorities, have a savings plan, and avoid burdensome debt.

44. Teaching Points
This session explores three important financial concepts:
Short and long-term goals
Budgeting
The meaning of money

45. Couple Exercises Importance of Financial Goals The Meaning of Money
First, review your Financial Management results in the Couple’s Report
Complete both exercises. Work individually for about 5 minutes to brainstorm your goals and take The Meaning of Money quiz. Finally, discuss each exercise as a couple.

46. Group Wrap Up
What did you discover as you completed the Setting Financial Goals exercise?
Does money mean the same thing to both of you? What else (besides status, security, enjoyment or control) might money mean to a person.
How many of you have a budget you currently follow? Why or why not?
What type of financial role models were your parents?

47. Bonus Material & Closing Suggestions
Homework: Complete the Budget Worksheet exercise in the workbook.
Read Chapter 5 in The Couple Checkup book, “Finances – More than Money”

48. Ice Breaker: What is your favorite holiday? Why?
7. Spiritual Beliefs
Ice Breaker: What is your favorite holiday? Why?

49. Group Discussion
How does your faith or spiritual life affect your relationship?
How does one’s faith affect their everyday decision making? 49

50. Teaching Points
In a study of 12,000 married couples, couple’s agreement on spiritual beliefs was strongly correlated with other aspects of a happy marriage.
Faith informs the big questions and the little decisions.
In a study of 50,000 marriages, the most common spiritual complaint was “unresolved differences in their spiritual beliefs”, with 52% of all couples struggling with differences

51. Couple Exercise Your Spiritual Journey
Review your results for Spiritual Beliefs in the Couple’s Report
Complete the discussion questions in the exercise.

52. Group Wrap Up
What insights emerged as you discussed your spiritual journeys?
How do your individual differences (personality, background, traditions, etc.) impact the ways you experience and express your faith.

53. Group Wrap Up
Mother Theresa once said, “Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”
How can one practice kindness with a partner who holds different beliefs?

54. Bonus Material & Closing Suggestions
Read Chapter 8 in The Couple Checkup book, “Spirituality – Live Out Your Values”

55. 8. Sexuality, Romance & Affection
Ice Breaker: What is the most romantic date or memory you’ve shared as a couple?

56. Group Discussion
How would you define romance? What are the ingredients or conditions that make something romantic?
Affection and intimacy don’t always mean “sex”. What are some non-sexual ways to express affection for one another? Why are these important for a relationship? 56

57. Teaching Points
Every family has their own comfort zone for expressing affection.
Some are verbal (words)
Some more physical (hugs)
Some more subtle (service)
Your family may shape your expectations in this area.
Expressing affection is a learned skill.

58. Teaching Points
A good sexual relationship goes hand in hand with a good emotional relationship. Sexuality flows from intimacy based on:
- Honest communication - Trust
- Friendship - Healthy conflict
- Passionate love - Respect
- Relational equality

59. Couple Exercise The Expression of Intimacy
Review your results for Sexual Expectations in the Couple’s Report
Complete the discussion questions in the exercise.

60. Group Wrap Up
What insights emerged as you discussed ways affection was expressed in your families growing up?
The media (movies, television, songs, internet, etc.) distorts our ideas about sex. How do you think these distorted messages have affected you? Your image of sex? Your expectations? Your self-image?

61. Bonus Material & Closing Suggestions
Read Chapter 6 in The Couple Checkup book, “Sex – Beyond the Birds and Bees”

62. 9. Closeness & Flexibility
Ice Breaker: Share a family tradition or ritual you remember and appreciate.

63. Group Discussion
Every family has their own unique “normal” way of doing things. When two people get married, they face the challenge of combining two unique approaches to life into one new relationship.
What is one way your families are very different?
How has this impacted your relationship? 63

64. Teaching Points
Family of origin shapes many expectations for how we want (or don’t want) to live in the future.
When thinking about how our families have impacted us, it is helpful to consider Closeness and Flexibility.
Think of both dimensions on a continuum with extremes on each end and more balanced levels in the middle.

65. Teaching Points
Closeness refers to how emotionally connected you feel. Extremes range from “disconnected” to “overly connected”.
Balancing separateness and togetherness
Independence versus dependence
Loyalty and connection

66. Teaching Points
Flexibility refers to how open couple and families are to change. Extremes range from “inflexible” to “overly flexibly”.
Openness to change
Flexibility in leadership
How roles are defined and shared
Handling discipline

67. Couple Exercise Mapping Your Relationship
Review your Couple and Family Maps in the Couple’s Report
Complete the exercise. Pick a concrete situation (e.g., celebrating a birthday).
What from your family of origin would you like to repeat in your couple relationship?
What from your family of origin would you not like to repeat in your couple relationship.

68. Group Wrap Up
What stood out to you as you compared the Closeness and Flexibility in your families?
How can two people in the same relationship have different experiences of the Couple Closeness and Couple Flexibility?
What makes it hard for couples to stay connected?
How does technology impact your Couple Closeness?

69. Bonus Material & Closing Suggestions
Couple’s Workbook Exercises: Couple and Family Maps – Closeness Exercises and Flexibility Exercises
Read Chapter 9 in The Couple Checkup book, “Closeness and Flexibility – Map Your Relationship”

70. 10. Final Wrap Up
Ice Breaker: What will you do next week in place of this group meeting time?

71. Group Discussion Which session topic was your favorite and why?
- Personality Conflict
- Stress - Finances
- Spirituality - Communication
- Romance, Sex & Affection
- Closeness & Flexibility
- Strength & Growth Areas
What will you take away from this group that will be most helpful to you? 71

72. Teaching Points
Outcome studies demonstrate couples can improve their relationship skills by participating in the PREPARE/ENRICH Program.
Complete more exercises from your Couple’s Workbook.
Clearly defining goals by writing them down, discussing them, and agreeing on which to prioritize can transform your relationship and your life.

73. Couple Exercise Achieving Your Goals . . . Together
First, take a moment to fill out the Evaluation Form.
Next, complete the exercise. Start by brainstorming your goals individually, and then share your ideas with your partner.

74. Group Wrap Up
What did you discover as you looked at personal, couple, and family goals together?
Do you remember the goal(s) you set for your relationship in our first meeting? How are things progressing?
Do you have any final thoughts, questions or comments for the group?

75. Bonus Material & Closing Suggestions
If you ever feel stuck or need more help, please talk to us about:
Books and resources that can help
Meeting for individual feedback on your PREPARE/ENRICH Inventory
Marriage Mentoring
Retreats, classes and future opportunities
Counseling referrals

76. Thank You!
enrichcanada.ca 76