A plan for dialogue, not a contract for control
The shared-life covenant records what the couple currently agrees on and what remains to be learned. It can change when circumstances change, but it must not be used to exclude the essential properties of marriage or take away either person's right to safety.
Seven minimum sections: a rhythm of faith; how to meet and repair conflict; budget and household work; intimacy and boundaries; relationships with both families; plans for children; and a network of support and safety.
Name what has not yet been agreed
There is no need to pretend agreement in order to complete the lesson. Mark in green what is clear, in yellow what needs to be tested, and in red what concerns freedom, safety, faith, or an essential obligation and must be brought to a companion before the wedding.
Suggested reading: Luke 14:28-33. Wisdom knows how to sit down and calculate before building—not to fear commitment, but to commit in truth.
Which topic do we avoid because we fear conflict? What consequences could delaying that conversation have after the wedding?
Write a one-page plan, record the completion date, and schedule a review. Bring all red items to a priest, mentor couple, or appropriate professional; do not use a signature to coerce the other person.
References
Path progress
Practice: A Shared-Life Covenant for the First Year
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