What is Prepared for Covenant?

Prepared for Covenant is a premarital discipleship pipeline designed to help churches prepare individuals and couples for covenant marriage through biblical principles, small-group discipleship, leadership development, and pastoral alignment.

Who is Prepared for Covenant designed for?

Prepared for Covenant primarily serves local churches, especially those without a formal premarital pipeline. Through the church, it also serves unmarried individuals, engaged couples, and leaders who desire intentional preparation for marriage.

How is Prepared for Covenant different from traditional premarital counseling?

Prepared for Covenant is discipleship-based, not crisis-driven. Rather than beginning at engagement, the pipeline prepares individuals before relationships become serious and continues through engagement. It emphasizes formation, community, and leadership development—not just counseling sessions.

Is this a program or a curriculum?

Prepared for Covenant is a framework and pathway, not a one-time program. While it includes curriculum, it is designed as a reproducible system that churches can implement, sustain, and multiply within their existing structure.

How does the pipeline work?

The pipeline includes the following stages.

• Leader identification

• Facilitator training

• Guided observation by our Covenant Coaches

• Independent facilitation

• Ongoing leadership development

Each stage builds upon the previous and is facilitated within a small-group context by trained leaders within congregation.

Does Prepared for Covenant replace pastoral counseling?

No. Prepared for Covenant is designed to support pastoral care, not replace it. The pipeline equips leaders and prepares couples while honoring pastoral authority, confidentiality, and referral pathways when deeper care is needed.

What is the SYMBIS Assessment, and how is it used?

SYMBIS (Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts) is a research-based assessment completed in a confidential, one-on-one setting with a trained facilitator. It provides insight into communication styles, conflict patterns, and relationship dynamics and is used as a discipleship tool within the Marriage Ready process.

Will pastors receive feedback on couples completing Marriage Ready?

Yes. Upon completion, a Marital Readiness Report is provided to the officiating pastor. This report offers a high-level overview of the couple’s preparation, areas of alignment, and recommended focus—without breaching confidentiality.

Can Prepared for Covenant be customized for our church?

Yes. The framework is designed to be adaptable to a church’s size, culture, and structure while maintaining theological and discipleship integrity.

How long does each stage last?

Each stage typically runs in cohort-based seasons, with length determined by the church’s schedule and capacity. This flexibility allows churches to integrate the pipeline without disruption.

Do couples have to be engaged to participate?

No. One of the strengths of Prepared for Covenant is that preparation begins before engagement through Wife Ready and Lead Ready. Marriage Ready is reserved for engaged or seriously dating couples preparing for covenant marriage.

Is this only for first marriages?

No. Prepared for Covenant serves individuals and couples at various stages, including those entering marriage after previous relationships, with wisdom, care, and pastoral alignment.

How does Prepared for Covenant help reduce marital challenges later?

By addressing identity, healing, expectations, communication, and covenant foundations early, couples enter marriage with greater clarity and stability—helping churches prepare proactively rather than respond to crisis later.

How does a church get started?

Churches begin with a Discovery Call where vision, structure, and next steps are discussed. From there, leader training, implementation, and ongoing support are provided.

Is Prepared for Covenant biblically grounded?

Yes. The entire pipeline is rooted in Scripture, covenant theology, discipleship principles, and the authority of the local church.

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