Many couples struggle with developing a regular devotional time together. I believe spiritual intimacy is one of the most challenging intimacies to build in a relationship. If you’re like me, you feel a sense of despair because we constantly hear that we should pray more, read the Bible more, etc – but we don’t know how or where to start.
Today, I want to share a tool that I’ve found helpful with you. It has helped many couples on our retreats revolutionize their spiritual lives together. If you begin to use it … the results will not only impact your personal relationship with God, they’ll spill over into your marriage, family and community too!
Here is the 3 part “10-minute miracle” popularized by Dave and Claudia Arp.
We husbands feel guilty for not leading … and our wives feel like they are nagging to get us started. So, to help take some of the leadership pressures off each other start by splitting that responsibility.
Husbands lead: on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Wife leads: on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. On Sundays … let the Lord lead.
Part 1: Read (5 minutes)
Begin your time together with a 5 minute devotional reading. Leader for the day reads the passage out loud. Use anything that gets you in the Bible: a chapter of Scripture, a couple’s devotional book, or a devotional booklet like “Daily Bread.” (Contact us for some suggestions)
Part 2: Share (3 minutes)
Take 3 minutes to share anything that “speaks” to you regarding the passage and to discuss ways you could apply these thoughts / truths to your lives as individuals and a couple.
Part 3: Pray (2 minutes)
Hold hands as the “leader” opens and prays for 1 minute asking the Lord to help apply these things to your lives; spouse closes praying for 1 minute.
The “miracle” is what this time will do for you and your marriage!
