HCC1129 Relationships and Marriage Christian Counselling

Navigating the Tapestry of Human Connections

Just as salt enhances flavour and light dispels darkness, as Matthew 5:13–16 reminds us, our actions and impact on others matter. We should let our light shine through good works so that others may glorify God. This course delves into the profound impact of human connections; and how they shape our being and define our quality of life. It acknowledges that relationships are both divine and earthly. Drawing inspiration from Charl Vorster’s quote, “I relate therefore I am – so how I impact on you and how you impact on me determines the nature and quality of our being” (2011), we explore the dynamics of dating, pre-marital counselling, marriage, divorce, and remarriage. The exploration will show how Christian counsellors ought to offer compassion amid brokenness, always pointing toward healing and Christlikeness.

Dating couples stand at the brink of intimacy, yet uncertainties linger. Christian counsellors play a vital role in guiding them toward healthy relationships. Communication, emotional compatibility, and shared values become focal points. Christian counsellors will come alongside couples towards healthy dating patterns.

Engaged couples embark on a transformative journey where counsellors equip them with tools for a solid foundation where they would learn mutual submission (Eph 5:21) and sacrificial love. Marriage requires ongoing care. Christian counsellors come alongside couples to assess marriage problems and apply appropriate techniques towards healthy and flourishing Christian marriage. Divorce breaks good relationships, and Christian counsellors need to understand its dynamics and discern possibilities of remarriage. Christian counsellors then implement strategies to deal with grief, loss, and co-parenting, whilst building trust as they navigate past wounds, aligning hearts with God’s grace.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

• Apply ethical Christian Counselling tools with dating couples.
• Recognize God’s heart for marriage and evaluate effective pre-marital Christian counselling.
• Assess marriage problems and apply appropriate Christian counselling techniques.
• Understand God’s perspective and the dynamics of divorce.
• Implement appropriate strategies for the challenges associated with divorce.

You will be required to purchase the following textbook in order to complete all counselling courses:

• Collins, G. 2007. Christian Counseling - a Comprehensive Guide (Third Edition). Thomas Nelson.