Premarital Counseling as a Holistic Formation

A Qualitative Study on Theological, Emotional, and Practical Readiness in the Local Church

Abstract

This study examines premarital counseling as a process of holistic formation that shapes marital readiness among Christian couples. Using a qualitative interpretive approach, this research explores how individuals understand their experiences of participating (or not participating) in premarital counseling and how these experiences influence their preparedness for marriage and ministry. The study was conducted in a local church context, involving three groups of participants: couples who attended premarital counseling, couples who did not or only partially participated, and single individuals as observers. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, supported by documentation and limited observation, and analyzed thematically.

The findings reveal three major dimensions of marital readiness: theological, emotional, and practical. Couples who participated in premarital counseling demonstrated a deeper theological understanding of marriage as a divine calling, greater emotional maturity in communication and conflict management, and more structured practical preparedness in financial and relational aspects. In contrast, those who did not participate tended to rely on personal experience without a comprehensive framework. This study contributes to the existing literature by positioning premarital counseling not merely as preparatory instruction, but as a holistic formation process integrating theological, emotional, and practical dimensions within the life of the local church.