Syllabus

Marriage and Family Counseling03CO737/01

Reformed Theological Seminary

Instructor: Dr. Rod Mays

404-915-0223

Course Description

This class is a general introduction to the Biblical foundations of marriage, parenting, and family dysfunction issues involved in marriage and family counseling for pastors, ministry staff, and ministry leaders. Topics to be included in this study are: premarital counseling, infidelity, divorce and remarriage, sexual issues, and contemporary issues on sexuality.

Course Requirements

  • Reading: Students will read completely the required texts and will write a two- page book review of each.
  • At the beginning of the semester, students will write a two-page paper on how they have been shaped by their family, including negative and positive influences.
  • At the end of the semester, students will write a seven-page paper on one of the following topics: How does the gospel shape a marriage? Divorce and remarriage. Biblical grounds for divorce. Christianity and sexuality. Can a marriage survive adultery? What about singleness?
  • During the semester, students will participate in group case studies and role play.
  • Class participation is expected and required.

Exams

  • Mid-term and final exams will include essay questions from the required reading and lectures.

Class Participation

  • It is required that students be present for all class sessions. If a student is “providentially hindered” from attending class, if possible, please notify the instructor. It is expected that students will keep current in their reading and complete assignments on time. Failure to comply with these standards will result in grade reduction, unless other arrangements have been made.

Grading

  • Book reports 25%
  • Papers 25%
  • Mid-term 25%
  • Final 25%

LECTURES

Lecture IAUGUST 21counseling theories

Lecture IIAUGUST 28Biblical Foundations of Marriage I

Lecture IIISEPTEMBER 4*Biblical Foundations of Marriage II

Lecture IVSEPTEMBER 11Premarital Counseling

Lecture VSEPTEMBER 18Parenting

LECTURE VISEPTEMBER 25*Body and Soul:Addictions, Depression, and Infidelity

MID-TERMOCTOBER 2

SPRING BREAKOCTOBER 9

Lecture VIIOCTOBER 16*Family Systems

Lecture VIIIOCTOBER 23Sexual Issues in Marriage

Lecture IXOCTOBER 30*Divorce

LECTURE XNOVEMBER 6Divorce and Remarriage

LECTURE XINOVEMBER 13*Counseling Demo

LECTURE XIINOVEMBER 20*Contemporary Issues on Sexuality

THANKSGIVINGNOVEMBER 27

FINAL EXAMDECEMBER 4-9

Paper and Book Reports Due

September 4 How I Have Been Shaped By My Family

September 25 Meaning of Marriage, Keller

October 16 The Divorce Culture, Whitehead

October 30 PCA Position Paper

November 13Sex and Money, Tripp

November 20Seven Page Topic Paper

Required Book List

  1. PCA Position Paper on Marriage and Divorce: Online
  1. Meaning of Marriage, Tim Keller
  1. The Divorce Culture, Barbara Dafoe Whitehead
  1. Sex and Money, Paul Tripp