Scottsdale Bible’s Marriage Ministry exists to encourage and equip couples to pursue a loving, vital and Christ-centered marriage. We believe that great marriages never happen by accident, but through a vision of Christ at the center, intentional effort and the right tools. We offer many opportunities to grow and strengthen your relationship, such as marriage preparation classes, Bible studies and care/counseling.
Information about our current marriage resources are listed below. To learn more about any of them or to schedule an appointment with our Marriage Pastor, email marriage@scottsdalebible.com or call 480.824.7271. For information about weddings or pre-marital counseling, please contact our Weddings Coordinator at 480.824.7238.
Fall 2018 class begins Saturday, September 29 (includes both Saturday and Sunday sessions)
Saturday, September 29 and November 10, 9am–12:30pm, Shea A8
Sunday, September 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4 and 11, 10:45am–12:15pm, Shea A3
If you are thinking of marriage, are engaged, or have been married less than two years, this class is for you. Preparing for Marriage is a 10-session (over the course of nine class dates) experience for couples that will equip you to live together in dynamic connection for life. The sessions include thought-stimulating teaching by marriage professionals, in-class mentoring, and materials to foster spiritual and emotional growth in the early years of marriage. Topics include spiritual and sexual intimacy, his needs and her needs, how to talk to each other, finances, roles and expectations, and more.
Our vision is that couples will turn to Christ and the church to learn how to build a godly marriage—one that becomes a model for their peers.
Important Registration Information
To register for Preparing for Marriage, please complete these two steps:
1. Fill out the Preparing for Marriage Application.
2. Fill out the online class registration form below and pay for the class. You will be directed to a payment page to complete your registration after filling out the form. You may also drop off or mail a check to Scottsdale Bible Church, 7601 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ, 85260. The registration fee is $160 per couple. If your wedding will be at Scottsdale Bible, the Preparing for Marriage class fee is included in the wedding package.
Included in the registration fee is the online Life Innovations Prepare-Enrich Relationship Inventory, which helps you understand the strengths and growth areas in your relationship. After your registration is complete, you will be set up to take this online inventory. It will then be reviewed with you as a couple by one of our Life Innovations certified individuals or couples.
To read testimonies of couples who have attended Preparing for Marriage, click here.
Marriage Is More Than a Wedding
Your wedding is more than just a ceremony! Marriage is a covenant intended by God to be a lifelong relationship between a man and a woman, and it’s sacred because He ordained it. Throughout God’s Word, we see the importance and valuable benefits of the husband-wife relationship.
We want your wedding day to be all you desire it to be as you celebrate your covenants and vows together with friends and family. We also want to help you begin this new journey on the right foot, by helping equip you with biblical principles to strengthen your relationship.
Weddings at Scottsdale Bible Church
We believe in the sacredness of marriage as described throughout the Bible, and are committed to providing a biblical foundation for each marriage. Couples who plan to marry at Scottsdale Bible are asked to participate in our Preparing for Marriage classes.
Our church facilities are offered year-round, subject to availability. If the bride, groom or a member of either immediate family (father, mother, brother or sister) is an active member or regular attendee of Scottsdale Bible, the couple can qualify for member fees. You can view our different wedding venues and get more information about them in our Wedding Book.
Steps for Scheduling Your Wedding
We look forward to helping you plan a beautiful wedding day celebration!
We offer many opportunities to help you and your spouse grow and strengthen your marriage – community groups, discipleship, and small group studies.
Sundays | 9am | Shea A8
Leaders: David & Julie Dickerson, 602.757.3998
First5 is the place for young (20s and 30s) engaged and newly married couples (in their first 5 years) at Scottsdale Bible. Through our weekly gatherings, regular home group meetings, monthly social activities, and special events (retreats, conferences), couples are encouraged in their marriages and build lasting friendships.
Beyond the strong foundation of the First5 enrichment class experience, the Sunday morning class, Common Ground, is a place that encourages, equips, and strengthens Christ-oriented families through authentic community as they journey through the next season of marriage.
Sundays | 11am | Shea A4
Leader: Jim Sidler
Contact: Sonia Cleverly, 480.824.7271
Common Ground is for couples beyond the first five years of marriage. This Sunday morning group is a place to be encouraged, equipped, and strengthened in your marriage and family through authentic community. Come journey through the next season of marriage with us!
Common Ground will not meet on the following dates this fall: November 25, December 23 and 30.
Wednesdays, September 19–April 24 | 6:30-8pm | Shea A4
Couples with and without kids are invited to be part of Couples Connections this fall on Wednesday evenings! Each week Pastor Kevin Yule will share biblical principles to support you in nurturing your marriage and leading your children as you grow in community and friendship with other couples. And remember we have a place for your whole family on Wednesday evenings! Children age 4 through 4th grade are encouraged to register for AWANA. Students in grades 5th through 12th grade are welcome in our YTH programming. Childcare for children age 3 and under whose parents are attending an on-campus Wednesday night class is available for a fee of $50 per family for the entire year.
For the fall semester, Kevin’s teaching will be focused on marriage and the spring focus will be on parenting – we hope you will join this community of couples for the whole year to build friendships and encourage each other in whatever season of married life you are in!
Register for the class here.
Couples Connections will not meet on the following nights:
October 31
November 21
November 28
December 26
January 2
March 20
Below is a collection of videos and podcasts designed to be a resource for couples who want to invest in their relationship. Each study can be completed at your own pace, in the comfort of your home. We believe couples who are intentional about learning together will reap the benefits of a healthier, stronger marriage.
Scottsdale Bible Church has partnered with Right Now Media (RNM) to offer you more than 10,000 incredible video resources free of charge. If you have a RNM account, click on any of the links below to be directed to their website. If you would like to purchase books to accompany these studies or have questions, call the Marriage Ministry at 480.824.7271.
If you don’t have a RNM account, click here to set up your free account. RNM is available on your computer as well as many phone apps.
Fill out the form below to receive our monthly email designed to encourage you and your spouse grow closer to God and to each other. This letter will give you biblical and practical ideas to ponder and will help you draw closer to God and your spouse. Each letter will also list upcoming marriage-related events and opportunities from the Marriage Fitness Center.
Write your prayer request below. If you would like someone from the Marriage Ministry to call you, please include your phone number. This form is submitted to the Marriage Pastor and Marriage Ministry Coordinator, and confidentially shared with the Marriage prayer team (no names or personal details are shared).
All relationships take vision, intentional effort and the right tools to stay healthy and grow. These can be fostered through intentional quality time together in prayer and focused effort on specific areas of the relationship that a couple agrees upon. With literally thousands of books available on the topic of relationships, we’ve tried to narrow the field to some that the leaders in the Marriage Ministry have found helpful over the years. The listings below are those that we believe address each subject best.
General
Devotionals for Couples
Before You Marry
Before You Remarry
The First Years of Marriage
Sexual Intimacy
Stewardship and Finances
Addictions – Abuse – Infidelity
Parenting
A more comprehensive list of recommended books may be found in this downloadable PDF file.
