A Great Marriage
in 20 Words

February 14—18, 2018

Holiday Inn Conference Center

Pigeon Forge, TN

The Sevierville Church of Christ

Sevierville, TN

2018 Schedule

Which works better for you: the early or the late track?

We know that some can’t be away from your home congregation during the weekend, and some can’t miss work during the week. To solve this problem, we offer two options: the early and the late track.

The early track starts at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday and ends at 3:30 p.m. on Friday.

The late track starts at 6:00 p.m. on Friday and ends around 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Whichever track you attend, you’ll receive a download link to all lessons after the retreat.

Early Track (Thursday Night and Friday Morning)

Thursday, February 15

5:00 p.m. Registration
5:30 p.m. Getting Acquainted: Fun ’N’ Games. Jim Dearman
6:00-6:45 p.m. Joy: Happier @ Home. Dan Winkler
7:00-7:45 p.m. Union: Sex, a Sacred Gift. B.J. Clarke
8:00 p.m. Supper Break/Free Time

Friday, February 16

9:30-10:15 a.m. Wisdom: Marriage Killers. This session focuses on developing the wisdom to get past the past and protect your relationship from daily threats, B. J. Clarke
10:30-11:15 a.m. Connection: Marriage Thrillers. This session focuses on enhancing intimacy, Dan Winkler
11:15 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00-1:30 p.m. Writing Contest/Awards. Jim Dearman
1:30-2:15 p.m. Affirmation: Speaking Well of Your Spouse (Colossians 3:19). This session deals with the value of learning to compliment your mate to the face and behind the back. Melvin Otey, Montgomery, Alabama
2:30-3:15 p.m. Unconditionality: I Won’t Love You Only “as Long as…” (Proverbs 19:22). Dan Winkler
3:15-3:30 p.m. Send-off: Leave ‘Em Laughing. Jim Dearman

Late Track (Friday Night and Saturday Morning)

Friday, February 16

5:00 p.m. Registration
5:30-6:00 p.m. Getting Acquainted: Fun ’N’ Games. Jim Dearman
6:10-7:00 p.m. Joy: Happier @ Home. Dan Winkler, Huntingdon, Tennessee
7:00-8:30 p.m. Supper Break
8:45-9:15 p.m. Awards. Jim Dearman
9:15-10:00 p.m. Union: Sex, a Sacred Gift. B.J. Clarke, Memphis, Tennessee
10:00 p.m. Goodnight

Saturday, February 17

Saturday offers two different tracks. The lessons given at the Sevierville Church of Christ are aimed at couples married 10 years or less, while the lessons presented at the Holiday Inn are aimed at couples married 10 years and over, but you can attend whichever location you wish. Remember, whichever track you attend, you’ll receive a download link to all lessons after the retreat.

Those Married 10 Years or Less: Sevierville Church Building

9:40-10:00 a.m. Protection: Guarding Yourself Sexually. Dan Winkler
10:00-10:20 a.m. Management: Keeping Money from Becoming a Problem. Melvin Otey
10:20-10:40 a.m. Independence: Setting Boundaries with Your Parents. Dan Winkler
10:40-11:00 a.m. Break
11:00-11:20 a.m. Discernment: Separating Sexual Fact and Fiction. Melvin Otey
11:20-11:40 a.m. Communication: Keeping the Lines Open. Dan Winkler
11:40 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30-1:50 p.m. Appreciation: Understanding Your Spouse as an Individual (Proverbs 24:3). Melvin Otey
1:50-2:10 p.m. Respect: Coming to Know Your Marital Role. B.J. Clarke
2:10-2:30 p.m. Teamwork: Rearing Godly Children Together. Melvin Otey
2:30-2:50 p.m. Break
2:50-3:10 p.m. Knowledge: Keys to a Growing Marriage. B.J. Clarke
3:10-3:30 p.m. Depth: Developing Spiritual Intimacy with Each Other and God. Melvin Otey
3:30-4:00 p.m. Intimacy: Understanding Sexual Desire in Marriage. This session will discuss problem-solving common sexual roadblocks. B. J. Clarke

Those Married 10 Years and Over: Holiday Inn Conference Center

10:00 a.m. Wisdom: Marriage Killers. This session focuses on developing the wisdom to get passed the past and protect your relationship from daily threats, B. J. Clarke
11:00 a.m. Vision: What God Sees for Your Marriage. B. J. Clarke
11:55 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. Unconditionality: I Won’t Love You Only “as Long as…” (Proverbs 19:22). Dan Winkler
2:30 p.m. Connection: Marriage Thrillers. This session deals with enhancing intimacy, Dan Winkler
3:15-3:30 p.m. Send-off: Leave ‘Em Laughing. Jim Dearman

Lasting marriages are built on rock-solid foundations.

About Wednesday Evening Bible Study and Sunday Worship Services

In addition to the official marriage retreat, Wednesday night and Sunday services at the Sevierville Church of Christ will feature our retreat speakers.

Wednesday, February 14

7:00 p.m.: Vision: What God Sees for Your Marriage. B.J. Clarke

Sunday, February 18

Early worship 8:00 a.m.: Romance: Could You Please Be My Valentine? Dan Winkler
Bible Class 9:00 a.m.: Love: My Only Mate, My Best Friend. Melvin Otey
Worship 10:00 a.m.: Romance: Could You Please Be My Valentine? Dan Winkler (Repeated)

2018 Speakers

B.J. Clarke
B. J. found his Freed-Hardeman sweetheart, Tish Hall, in 1981, and married her on September 24, 1983. They have three children, Daniel, Holly, and Michael. Tish has been by his side as a loyal and faithful preacher’s wife in all of his local work, in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas. She has also been a very understanding wife, encouraging B. J. to accept opportunities to travel and preach. She tolerates sports but loves planting flowers, reading, cooking, country music, and going to bed early. B. J. hates yard work, tolerates country music, loves reading, her cooking, watching sports, and going to bed late. In spite of their personality differences, their common love for God, and for each other, has blessed them with thirty-four happy years of marriage.
Melvin Otey
Melvin and Jania met in law school and have been married for fifteen years. In that time, they have been partners in the Lord’s work, in business, and in rearing their two sons, Caleb and Christian, to be committed servants in the Lord’s kingdom. Among other things, Melvin teaches at Faulkner Law and serves on the Board of Directors for Lads 2 Leaders, and Jania directs the Kids & Culture Camp in Washington, D.C. The family worships and works with the Dalraida congregation in Montgomery, Alabama, and enjoys devotional times in the home.
Dan Winkler
Dan Winkler was born in Port Arthur, Texas. In 1971, he married his high school sweetheart, Diane, and the Lord gave them the honor of raising three wonderful sons. Dan began preaching in 1969, has degrees from Oklahoma Christian College and David Lipscomb College, and is a member of the Freed Hardeman University Bible faculty. Most of his ministry has been with the Huntingdon church of Christ in Huntingdon, Tennessee. He is now the owner-president of D & D Publishing, has authored ten books, and enjoys blogging and tweeting religious thoughts (danwinkler.org).

About the Retreat

This is a perfect retreat for all couples.

From the newly wed couple to those who are past their 50th anniversary, all marriages can be improved. The Great Smoky Mountain Marriage Retreat teaches Bible-based principles to couples so we can have the type of family that brings glory to God and joy to our respective homes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the retreat for?

This is a couples-only retreat for married couples of all ages. It is designed to be part getaway weekend and part practical instruction seminar on enriching marriage relationships.

All classes are for married adults only. Please do not bring children.

What is the cost?

Registration is $50 per couple, but if you register by January 15, 2018 you’ll save $10!

Why is there a fee?

The Great Smoky Mountain Marriage Retreat was offered free to attendees when it began years ago as a getaway for Jacksonville members. It has outgrown four venues so far, and expenses now exceed what one church can handle.

By all pitching in a little, we cover costs for speakers, conference rooms, and printed material. Neither the Jacksonville church nor any individual makes any money on the retreat.

Can I get a recording of these lessons?

A download link to all lessons—both tracks, all locations, and church services—will be sent to every couple who provide an email address at registration.

If you wish to have the lessons on a thumb drive, they are available for $25. This drive will also include audios from all previous Great Smoky Mountain Marriage Retreats (a total of 127 lessons).

Where are the lessons presented?

Holiday Inn Conference Center
3230 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37868
Front desk: 865.428.2700

The Sevierville church of Christ
208 Hicks Drive
Sevierville, TN 37864
Location for Wednesday/Sunday services, Saturday Breakout sessions

Where do I stay?

While we have negotiated reduced rates for the Pigeon Forge Holiday Inn, you are welcome to stay anywhere you’d like. Parking is free at the Holiday Inn. You are responsible for making your room reservations.

Room rates for Pigeon Forge Holiday Inn: $64.99/weekdays and $88.99/weekend. Give Holiday Inn the three-letter code JCC to qualify for group rate.

Including fee, food, and hotel, most couples can come to the retreat for about $300.

What about free time?

Many go early to enjoy time with each other. The schedule builds in free time to go to the outlets, see a show, explore the beautiful mountains, or enjoy leisure time at the hotel.

Who hosts/oversees this retreat?

This retreat is sponsored by the Jacksonville church of Christ (P.O. Box 520, Jacksonville, AL 36265), under the oversight of its elders.

Allen Webster is the retreat director.

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A Great Marriage in 20 Words