What is a marriage retreat? Should my spouse and I attend one? Do you only attend a marriage retreat if your marriage is in trouble? How much they cost? These are all very good questions that we will explore in this article.
Marriage retreats have been steadily growing in popularity and availability. Most likely, they arise in response to our ever-increasing divorce rate. They are a tool a married couple can use to grow closer and get their relationship back on track.
What is a marriage retreat?
A marriage retreat is an opportunity for a couple to get away and focus on their relationship. Life gets hectic, especially when you have kids. Most of the time, you are forming teams to decide who will take which child where. Conversations can be reduced to bills and schedules. Leaving together allows you to put aside daily responsibilities and focus on your spouse. A marriage retreat is about spending time together, having thoughtful conversations, breaking the routine, and getting advice from knowledgeable sources.
Wedding retreats will not all be the same. Some have a religious component; some don’t. They are usually a two-night getaway focused on strengthening your marriage. This is done by conducting several sessions in which you are taught skills and equipped with tools you can use at home, such as communication techniques. The weekend will have a full agenda with educational sessions, meals and free time. Sessions are led by a counselor, therapist, or someone with experience. They cover topics intended to equip the couple to learn and grow together. Some retreats offer an intensive marriage for those in an extremely challenging season. These can vary from three to five days.
Some couples are better at doing “maintenance” on their marriage (date nights, constant talking, etc.) than others. Relationships require effort. Marriage retreats are for those who are struggling in their relationship and those who are not. It is for both groups and everyone who wants to improve their marriage and strive for unity.
What topics are covered in a marriage retreat and how much do they cost?
Each marriage retreat will be slightly different depending on who is leading them and their focus. Topics may include communication skills, connecting better, intimacy, conflict resolution, seeking God in your marriage, connecting emotionally, understanding each other’s fears, and rekindling romance.
The cost will vary. Christian organizations try to keep costs low so that finances are not a barrier. However, that will depend on where you are compared to retirement. You can always search your area and find one locally, so travel costs are minimal.
It also depends on what you are looking for. Some are from three to four days and become part of vacations located in a privileged environment. This would cost more but provide a different experience. A general range for a two-night retreat seems to be about $600 to $800, which includes room, board, and programming. This does not include travel expenses.
A Christian retreat will have a Christ-centered approach to its teachings. Focus on the Family and WinShape Marriage are two Christian organizations with their own retreat centers. They offer a handful of weekends and a variety of themes to choose from.
If cost is an issue, treat it like a vacation, start setting aside money monthly and save for the event. Consider it an investment in your marriage. Your marriage is worth it! When mom and dad’s relationship is strong and healthy, the home naturally works better and is a more loving environment to raise children.
Different Reasons, Different Seasons for Marriage Retreats
There are many reasons for you to attend a marriage retreat. Life can throw all kinds of challenges your way, taking a toll on your relationship. You may be going through a difficult time with your spouse where you can’t seem to communicate effectively. Perhaps you have experienced a trauma or a death in the family. Financial challenges, a new job, a prodigal child, or a move all have an impact on a marriage.
Going out together and having time to talk about the change and the challenges you are facing can be helpful. If things are going well in your marriage, you can always learn something new that could help you continue to deepen your relationship.
Parenting little can be exhausting for a marriage. Mom barely has any energy left after a day of chasing kids, changing diapers, and rocking screaming kids. Her physical and emotional energy pours into the children, which can sometimes create tension in the marriage. Or maybe you’re at the other extreme, and your kids are off to college, and you find yourself in a quiet home, not knowing what to do.
There are many reasons and times to justify attending a wedding. withdrawal. The good thing is that there are many options out there. If you feel disconnected from your spouse, this might be the perfect time to explore a retreat. Couples tend to wait to get help, whereas focusing on the relationship earlier could save you a lot of heartache.
The reality is that every couple will have difficult times in their marriage. I have yet to meet a couple who have said that their entire relationship has been great. We are sinners married to sinners. Making our marriage a priority could be the difference between a healthy marriage and a struggling marriage.
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The Bible says in Genesis 2:24, “Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and they are one flesh.” Jesus reiterates these words in Mark 10:0 and then goes on to say, “Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Let no one separate! Those are strong words, and we should take them seriously. In 1914 the divorce rate in the United States was 1%. Today it is around 50%. We need to take the words of Jesus seriously.
A marriage retreat is a tool you can use to focus on your marriage and continue to grow closer. Businesses, jobs, children, and household responsibilities are demanding sources of your time. We must intentionally forge points of contact to get back together and focus on our marriage. We are fortunate to have many resources available if we need help in our marriage. There are retreats, counselors, pastors, couples mentors in our churches, books, seminars, and online resources.
The health of your marriage is critical. What better way to prepare the next generation than to model a healthy marriage? A healthy marriage is good for your home, but it’s also good for the community. In her book Ten Words to Live By, Jen Wilkin states, “Functional marriages tend to build functional homes that require less community intervention.”
I’m not saying that a marriage retreat will solve all your problems. . I’m saying that for our marriages to be healthy and to stay that way, it takes effort and deliberation.
Your marriage is important. It is the most important relationship you have, under God. Escaping is not easy, but it can be useful. Whether you are thriving in your marriage and want to continue that way or are struggling and need support, your marriage is always worth investing in.