Marriage and Family Classes

Marriage 101
Creating a Healthy Marriage
This interactive course presents marriage preparation and relationship skills essential for pre-engaged, engaged, or newly married couples. The focus of the class is to help couples create a distinctively Christian marriage that will sustain a richly satisfying, life-long relationship. Topics include the parallels between healthy intimacy and the character of God, understanding the influence of family of origin, communication and conflict resolution skills, personality and temperament difference (Myers-Brigg Inventory), intimacy and sexuality, and finances. Will be offered during Winter Institute 2009.

Marriage 102
The Cooperation Years
The toughest balancing act you will ever encounter is guiding and nurturing children while maintaining a healthy marriage. During the elementary school years your marriage may feel more like a business partnership than an intimate satisfying relationship. This class is designed to help couples find ways to focus on partner strengths, offer encouragement instead of criticism, make marriage a priority, communicate effectively, and discern and live Christian family values. Course dates TBA.

Marriage 103
The Second Half of Marriage
If you have teenagers who will soon leave the nest, have received an invitation to join AARP, exercise more while burning fewer calories, and get your spouse's attention right at the moment you have forgotten what you wanted to say, you are probably approaching the second half of marriage. Based on the book Second Half of Marriage by David and Claudia Arp, this class helps couples deepen intimacy and revitalize their marriage relationship. Will be offered during Summer Institute 2009.

Parenting 101
Early Relationships and the Preschool Years
The "Baby Einstein" movement emphasizes the role of early learning and enrichment activities to create optimal conditions for healthy child development. Debate between the role of nature (heredity) versus nurture (environment) in child development are not new; yet, current scientific research indicates that early relationships are the single most important factor in all aspects of a child's growth. This class helps parents discern the best ways to support and nurture their unique child. Topics include brain development and attachment, developing a secure sense of self, creating foundations for spiritual growth, temperament, cultural and familial "love languages", and family rituals and routines to foster healthy relationships. Winter 2008. 

Parenting 102
The Elementary Years: Nurturing Competence, Character, and Resilience
During the elementary years, children learn to take initiative, solve problems, discover unique gifts, and develop competence socially and academically. Over-scheduling can rob children of necessary time and space to learn about themselves and experience relationship in authentic and loving ways. For Christian parents, it requires intentionality, courage, and prayer to decline conformity to the pressured values of performance and "success" that are the current hallmark of our culture. This class will explore cultivating family priorities and routines that nurture the child, cultivate competence and responsibility, and promote Christ-centered self-esteem, values, and resilience.

Dates: Sundays, September 7 - October 12, 2008
Time: 10:00-11:15 AM
Location: Mears A, Westminster Hall
To Register: Contact Naomi Griffin at (510) 848-6252 ext. 267 or at naomig@fpcberkeley.org.

Parenting 103
Tween/Teen Zone
This parenting zone can be an otherworldly experience where the human being formally known as your child may now seem distant and alien. The middle school and early high school years are challenging as youth struggle to define their identity and place in a peer world. This is a small group for parents of youth in middle school and early high school, who want to understand and support their child's need for healthy individuation. There will be opportunity for discussion, questions, sharing, and prayer in a safe, confidential setting. We will explore key issues relating to parenting during the years of early adolescence. The group is facilitated by Jeanne James. Enrollment is limited.

Dates: Thursdays,  January 22 - February 26, 2009
Time: 7:00-9:00 PM
For more information: Contact Jeanne James at (510) 848-6252 ext. 292 or at jeannej@fpcberkeley.org.

10 Great Dates to Energize your Marriage 
These twice monthly dates are an opportunity for couples to have time-out to build their marriage and enrich their relationship. This unique program was developed by Dave and Claudia Arp (nationally known speakers who have been seen on the NBC Today Show, CBS, and PBS) and combintes fun dates and marriage education skills. Couples meet together as a group to view a short video, where the theme for that particular "great date" is introduced. Then couples actually go out on a date with their partner! During these purposeful dates, couples learn to communicate better, process anger and resolve conflicts, appreciate differences, encourage each other, develop spiritual intimacy, balance busy lifestyles, and much more. 10 Great Dates is appropriate for all ages and stages of marriage. Come join the fun!

Dates: Saturdays, January 17 & 31; February 14 & 28; March 14 & 28; April 4 & 25; May 9 & 30, 2009
Time: 6:00-8:15 PM
Location: Calvin Room, Geneva Hall and surrounding community
Cost: $20 per couple (for course materials)
Childcare (infants - 5th grade): Space is limited. Please contact Bobbi Zechar at (510) 848-6252 ext. 276 or at bobbiz@fpcberkeley.org.
Registration: Contact Naomi Griffin at (510) 848-6252 ext. 267 or naomig@fpcberkeley.org.