2023 Marriage & Parenting Retreat Schedule

“Transformed – Transform your Marriage”

 

Sat  Apr 29 (at Courtyard by Marriott)

  • 9:00-9:30am Registration/Welcome
  • 9:30-10:00am Lite Breakfast (coffee, tea, fruit, pastries, etc…)
  • 10:00-12:30pm Transformative Parenting Session
  • 12:30-2:30pm Lunch Break (on your own)
  • 2:30-5:30pm Marriage Transformation Session
  • Sat Evening Date with your spouse
  • (see this link for restaurant options and map)

Sun Apr 30 (at Washington Elementary School)

  • 10:00-11:45am Church Service with Chris Zillman preaching and Meegan sharing for communion

Saturday Location:

Courtyard by Marriott

7341 Canyon Centre Pkwy

Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121


Sunday Location:

Washington Elementary School

420 N 200 W

Salt Lake City, UT 84103

 

Guest Speakers Chris and Meegan Zillman were high school sweethearts from the Midwest, and were married in 1998.

 

They both became Christians as college students in 1995 and have been working in the full-time ministry since 1998 in churches throughout New England & the Midwest.

 

Their son Isaiah was born in 2002 followed by 3 more: Justus, Gus & Jasper. Finally, a warrior-princess named Cora was born in 2017 and they are now officially done.

 

The Zillmans moved to Aurora, CO in 2019 and are currently the Lead Evangelist and Woman’s Ministry Leaders for our sister church in Denver.

 

Restaurant Map

Conversation Starters

01. What strengths do we contribute to our relationship, and how can we continue to develop them?
02. What do you appreciate most about our relationship?
03. What are some things I do that make you feel loved and valued?
04. Can you share a moment when you felt especially proud of our marriage?
05. What are some specific moments or actions in our marriage for which you are grateful?
06. What adventures would you like us to embark on together in the future?
07. What personal goals do you have, and how can I support you in achieving them?
08. What are some ways we can prioritize intimacy and physical connection despite our busy lives?
09. What is one aspect of our marriage that you love?
10. What is one of your favorite memories we have had together?
11. What are some small acts of kindness we can do for each other regularly?
12. What are some fun and creative date ideas we can try?
13. How have you seen God work in our marriage?
14. What are you most excited about in our relationship during this season of life?

15. Is there anything you are currently facing where I can offer support or assistance?
16. What is your dream date night or weekend with me?
17. If you had three wishes to wish for our future, what would they be?
18. What strengths do I bring to our relationship?
19. What have you learned to appreciate about me that you did not know when we were first married?
20. What ways can we build our friendship even more?
21. What do you see as the strengths in our marriage?
22. What things in our marriage make me happy?
23. Which couples do you admire, and what aspects of their marriages do you respect?
24. What actions or gestures make you feel most cherished and cared for?
25. What do you find most attractive about me?
26. In what ways can we share our gratitude for one another with our friends and family?
27. If you could only pick 5 words to describe me to someone who has never met me, what would they be?
28. What would you consider our best quality as a married couple?
29. In what ways can we serve our community or church together?
30. What are some small, everyday things you are grateful for in our relationship?

ENCOURAGE Communication Transparency Tips (James 1:19)

5 Levels of Communication

  1. Sharing Cliches and Superficiality
  2. Sharing Information – what you KNOW
  3. Sharing Opinions – what you THINK
  4. Sharing Values and Feelings – what you FEEL
  5. Sharing Transparency – who YOU REALLY ARE

Listen Carefully

  1. Pay close attention by eliminating distractions (Proverbs 7:24).
  2. Refrain from attempting to solve the problem or change the person.
  3. Empathize with their emotions and try to understand their perspective.
  4. Withhold judgement and avoid becoming defensive.
  5. Summarize what you’ve heard to confirm understanding (Proverbs 20:5).

Express Clearly

  1. Prioritize thinking before speaking (Proverbs 21:23).
  2. Confirm that it’s a good time and place to communicate, and create a conducive atmosphere.
  3. Share your inner thoughts and feelings, such as pains, fears, hopes, desires, and disappointments.
  4. Ask them to confirm what they heard to ensure mutual understanding.
  5. Be careful not to let anger get in the way of vulnerability (Proverbs 12:18).
      • Pay attention to the tone and body language, as they can convey as much as words.
      • Avoid using mean and insulting words 
      • Refrain from using trigger words such as “always,” “never,” and “every time.”
      • Use “I feel (emotion) when you do (action)” to express how you’re affected by their behavior.