Couple’s Study Session Overview

SESSION 1 THE RAM: YOUR RELATIONSHIP GPS

Learn how the RAM explains the five relationship bonds in your marriage relationship. It will help define exactly where you are in your relationship, where you want your relationship to go, and what you need to do to get there. And when you understand the three laws of relationships, you will see how you can frequently use the RAM to keep your relationship moving in the right direction.

SESSION 2 STAYING IN THE KNOW WITH OPEN COMMUNICATION AND GRACEFUL CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Your first relationship bond described in the RAM is the depth of how much you stay in the know in your relationship. With the busyness of life, it is easy to fall out of knowing what is happening with each other. And conflicts can pile up when not resolved. Learn the skills needed for open communication and what it takes to gracefully resolve misunderstandings and conflicts.

SESSION 3 KEEPING A GOOD ATTITUDE OF TRUST

Your second relationship bond is the degree of trust you have in your relationship. Learn exactly what trust is in your relationship, and although major breakdowns of trust are addressed in session 5, the vital responsibility and skill of keeping a positive attitude of trust is thoroughly explained. Understand the difference between the spouse in your home, and the spouse in your head as you fulfill Philippians 4:8 in your marriage.

SESSION 4 BECOMING THE CONNOISSEUR YOUR SPOUSE CAN RELY ON

The third relationship bond described in the RAM is the extent that you can mutually rely on each other. This requires that each of you become a connoisseur who knows the unique needs and wants of your spouse, and has developed the art and skills of loving your partner in those ways. Learn a simple format based on the RAM to have regular huddles in which you can take inventory of what you have been doing well and what areas need to be strengthened, and what goals you can set to realign the bonds of your closeness.

SESSION 5 MAKING YOUR COMMITMENT THE LEAD DOG

The ways that you commit yourselves to each other is the fourth relationship bond portrayed in the RAM. Commitment involves more than keeping your vows or promises to your spouse, it also means making your relationship a priority. This kind of strong commitment produces two outcomes in your relationship, a union that keeps your spouse present even when time and space separate; and a perseverance that pulls you through challenges, difficulties, forgiveness and the even rebuilding of trust.

SESSION 6 CULTIVATING CLOSENESS WITH ROMANCE, AFFECTIONATE TOUCH AND SEXUAL INTIMACY

The fifth and final relationship bond is the extent and expression of your affectionate touch and sexual intimacy. Learn about the ways to keep an active and vital romance and sexual closeness throughout the different stages of life. Gain ways to talk through sexual differences while working on maintaining a fulfilling mutuality in your sexual relationship.