Unlocking an Intimate Marriage: A Small Group Discussion Guide for Married Couples

Are you looking to build a stronger, closer, more intimate marriage? This fast-moving, carefully-designed small group workbook and curricula for couples and churches—led by a renowned therapist and a social researcher—will help you get there.

Through eight sessions, you will grow in community with other couples, then apply what you are learning at home. Part One is four sessions on many aspects of intimacy (emotional, spiritual, physical…). Part Two is four sessions gently addressing common issues around physical intimacy in marriage—a vital topic that most marriage studies barely address. (While designed as a small group study, couples can, if they prefer, go through any part of this on their own rather than in a group.)

Grounded in extensive experience and research, each small-group discussion is eye-opening and practical, but does not veer into territory private to each couple. You can participate and learn comfortably, knowing you will have an opportunity to discuss those issues personally at home.

We hope you join us for this special study. Because learning and communicating well on these topics will unlock intimacy in your marriage for a lifetime.

How it works:

• Access to all teaching videos included free with purchase of the workbook.
• Most couples can share one workbook, or purchase one for each.
• Each of the eight sessions includes several short teaching videos with time for small group discussion, then a “Bringing it Home” section allows the couple to discuss and apply the teaching to their own life and marriage.
• The study draws heavily from both science and scripture, but an optional “Deeper into the Word” Bible study component is also included in the workbook.
• Led by a renowned therapist with a specialty in marriage and sex therapy (Dr. Michael Sytsma) and by a respected social researcher (Shaunti Feldhahn), this material is trustworthy, accurate, and based on extensive research and clinical experience.

Michael Sytsma, PhD is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Sex Therapist, Ordained Minister, professor, and national speaker. He has over 35 years of clinical experience in marriage and sex therapy and is the founder of Building Intimate Marriages, Inc. and co-founder of Sexual Wholeness, Inc. He is an Ordained Wesleyan pastor and on faculty at five different seminaries and graduate schools. He is co-author of Secrets of Sex & Marriage, 8 Surprises that Make all the Difference, and Unlocking an Intimate Marriage as well as a contributor to several other works.

Shaunti Feldhahn is a Harvard-trained social researcher and best-selling author who investigates the little things that make a big difference in life and relationships. Her books have sold more than three million copies in 26 languages.