The Smart Stepfamily Participant Guide: An 8-Session Guide to a Healthy Stepfamily

An interactive workbook designed to help you get the most out of The Smart Stepfamily book and streaming video sessions, including discussion questions for before and after each session, space to take notes, a bonus question-and-answer section, group leader instructions, and guidelines for facilitating effective groups.

Who is it for?

• Small groups walking through The Smart Stepfamily together
• Premarital or marital counseling settings
• Individuals or couples doing personal study alongside the book and video sessions

How does it help a family grow closer to each other or God?

• Helps couples and groups process each video session together in a meaningful way
• Encourages honest conversation about real stepfamily challenges
• Creates space to apply biblical principles in everyday family life
• Supports steady growth through reflection, discussion, and practical next steps

When would a family actually use this?

• During a small group study or church class
• In premarital counseling for blended families
• As a personal or couple study alongside the book and video sessions
• Anytime a family wants guided support while working through stepfamily growth week by week

Why does FamilyLife recommend this?
FamilyLife recommends this resource because it helps couples move beyond learning to actually living it out, using structured discussion, practical tools, and video sessions to build healthier stepfamily rhythms.

Ron L. Deal is Director of FamilyLife Blended™ and President of SmartStepfamilies.com. He is a family ministry consultant and conducts marriage and family seminars around the country; he specializes in marriage and stepfamily enrichment. Ron is author of the bestselling book and DVD curriculum The Smart Stepfamily and author/coauthor of The Smart Stepmom, The Smart Stepdad, and The Remarriage Checkup.

He has extensive experience training pastors, ministry leaders, and counselors and has appeared on dozens of national radio and TV broadcasts in the US, Canada, and the UK. Ron is considered a leading voice in stepfamily education and ministry and in the prevention of redivorce. He and his wife, Nan, have been married since 1986 and have three boys. For more information visit RonDeal.org.