FAQs

The Playbook Analogy explains why there is no blame. Each spouse comes from a different family with different norms, expectations, traditions and ways of doing life.  This becomes the “playbook” that spouses take into their marriage. The differences are not right or wrong, but the differences are causing the problems. Rick and Jane’s coaching story will help you create a common understanding (common playbook) for how you want to work together to resolve your differences.

This is simple, engaging, and doable together. Your spouse may initially be reluctant, but the first book will enhance communications and increase your understanding of one another so that your spouse will quickly see the value in improved understanding and intimacy.

The coaching process described in the books work and have worked for over 20 years helping thousands of couples. Having said that, you will need to do the exercises, make agreements, and create your reminders so you can work together as a team to achieve your common goals. Simply knowing what you should do is not sufficient to improved your marriage. You must actually apply what you know to see results. Rick and Jane will show you the way!

Each book has two pages of testimonials from real couples who have applied these principles and seen significant improvements in their relationship. You can see additional testimonials here.

It is extremely easy to start. Pick up the books and start reading and you will get immediate insights. Each book can be read in 30-45 minutes. It will take additional time to do the exercise and use the principles. Open the first book and start tonight.

These books provide a clear, structured path, real-life applications, and guided conversations that clearly indicate how the skills are used. The tools and applications are built into the text. You will see how easy it is for Rick and Jane to apply the principles to create the marriage they want. If you are willing to apply what you are learning, it is definitely worth the money. Leaders in the field of marriage and relationships such as Dr Gary Chapman, Dr Greg Smalley, Dr Peter Larson, and Drs Les and Leslie Parrot as well as Patrick Lencioni (The Five Dysfunctions of a Team) have all affirmed the books and their comments are on the backs of the books.

Yes, it is easy to lead. You don’t have to be a counselor—this material does the heavy lifting. Designed by coaches with more than 20 years of helping and training coach couples, the facilitator guide provides thoughtful questions to help couples process and apply what they are learning. The facilitator does not give advice; he or she simply facilitates discussion and lets the books do the heavy lifting. Couples will see themselves in the stories about Rick and Jane. The self-assessments and exercises will help them create the agreements they need to move forward. The small group experience is set up for 9 weeks, but facilitators have the flexibility to take longer on some sessions, if they want to.

Workbook questions drive the discussion and couples do most of the sharing. This sharing helps ensure engagement with couples wanting to come back to see more of Rick and Jane’s story, hear other couple’s insights, and share their own successes. Facilitator prompts in the guide require minimal preparation and are designed to create couple involvement.

Thousands have couples have gone through the coaching process illustrated in the Rick and Jane Learn to Be Married series. Each book has testimonials from real couples who have strengthened or even saved their marriage applying these principles. Additional testimonials are on the website. Over 85% of the couples considering divorce decide not to divorce after completing coaching and 86% say the coaching greatly exceeded or exceeded their expectations.

Yes, this is biblically based and addresses no doctrinal issues. The skills are entirely based on scripture and the focus is on application of the skills. The small group study shows couples “how to do” what scripture clearly tells us we should do. Each session starts with a biblical reference that sets the stage for that session.

The facilitator and couple packages have everything you need to run a successful small group. The books provide the content, the workbooks provide questions for the group and space to record couple agreements. Certificates of Completion and Evaluation Forms are available on the website (www.rickandjane.com). Promotional materials are also available for downloading and the authors are available for consultation. There’s everything you need—just invite couples and start. 

In early surveys, 42% agreed and 58% strongly agreed that the lessons provided practical tools that “we can apply in our relationship.” Bottom line, this small group study is story based so couples can see them selves in the characters and is effective in strengthening marriages. Leaders in the field of marriage and relationships such as Dr Gary Chapman, Dr Greg Smalley, Dr Peter Larson, Julie Baumgardner, Carl Caton, and Drs Les and Leslie Parrot as well as Patrick Lencioni (The Five Dysfunctions of a Team) have all affirmed the books.