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Be More Intentional with Date Nights

The good news is that you don’t have to make elaborate plans or spend a ton of money to have a great time together. Take your cue from these creative ideas — compiled from a recent Focus on the Family Facebook contest. With these low-cost (or no-cost), easy-to-plan dates, you can make memories together without blowing your family budget. Click here for some fresh and innovative ideas.

Schedule Time to Talk

Try to answer the following questions about each other and find out how much you know about your spouse’s world.

• Name your spouse’s two closest friends.
• What was your spouse wearing when you first met?
• Name one of your spouse’s hobbies.
• What stresses your spouse right now?
• Describe in detail what your spouse did today or yesterday.
• What is your spouse’s fondest unrealized dream?
• What is one of your spouse’s greatest fears or disaster scenarios?
• What is my favorite way to spend an evening?
• What is one of your spouse’s favorite ways to be soothed?
• Name a person your spouse dislikes.
• What is your spouse’s ideal job?
• What medical problems does your spouse worry about?

Asking these questions will help you develop greater personal insight and a more detailed “map” of each other’s lives and worlds. However, getting to know your spouse better is an ongoing process. Updating your love maps regularly together by sitting down and catching up. Remember, the more you know about each other, the more you feel a strong connection, and the more profound and rewarding your relationship will be.

Talk with Trusted Friends

Every marriage faces highs and lows—but who’s in your corner during those tough times matters. True friends won’t just take your side; they’ll fight for your marriage. They’ll speak life over both you and your spouse, helping you build bridges—not burn them. Choose friends who point you back to unity, not division. Click here for a video about finding friends to talk with about your marriage.

Need Coaching?

Read Helpful Scriptures

1 Corinthians 13: 1-8, Ephesians 5:15-33, Song of Solomon, Genesis 2:18, 21-24, Proverbs 31: 10-31, Ecclesiastes 4:9-11, Colossians 3:12-17

Take time to read through these verses with your spouse and ask yourselves these questions. 

1. What is God saying in these passages?

2. What is meaningful about these passages for our marriage right now?

3. What is the Holy Spirit leading us to apply from these passages to our marriage this week?

Read or Listen to Books

Love & Respect – Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

Sacred Marriage – Gary Thomas

9 Thoughts the Can Change Your Marriage – Sheila Wray Gregoire

Marriage – Paul David Tripp

101 Questions to Ask Before You Get Engaged” by Norman Wright
Loving Your Spouse When You Feel Like Running Away – Gary Chapman

Tim Keller – The Meaning of Marriage

The Marriage Reset Workbook – Dr. David Clarke

The Power of a Praying Couple – Stormie Omartian

Watch RightNow Media Series on Marriage

See the Sermon Series and Marriage sections when you sign in to GFC’s RightNow Media site. If you are not signed up, text ”GraceKingsport” to 49775 for your free access.

Find a Couple to Disciple You

Talk with a staff member of GFC about this.

                        Need Professional Attention?

Trusted Counselors in Our Area

Trusted friends in GFC have used each of these listed below.

Cathy Blake at Alongside You Counseling 423-390-8603

Beth Kitzmiller at Seed of Hope in Kpt - 423-530-7042

Marla Freeman at Tri-Cities Christian Counseling – 423-246-5111

Natalie Honeycutt - 423-416-3225

Marsha Rose – 423-578-7878

Stephanie Ellis - 423-250-1533

Audrey Berringer in JC - 423-483-4075

Susan Mullins at Tri-Cities Christian Counseling – 423-246-5111

Brad Morrell in KPT,  Bristol - 423-914-9830

Brian Scott in JC -  423-926-3486

Tom Harrington in JC - 423-926-4733

Ryan Woodzel – 423-564-4054

Jacob McGlamory - Seed of Hope in Kpt – 423-530-7042

Groups to Help with Hurts, Hang-ups and Habits

Re|engage at Grace Fellowship Johnson City. Investing in the health of your marriage.

Re:Generation at Grace Fellowship Johnson City. Recovery in Christ when life is broken.

Celebrate Recovery at First Baptist Church Kingsport.