For years, my husband and I wanted to read acouples devotionalbut we had no idea how to make it happen on a regular basis.
Once we found somegood couples devotionals(and read a few couples bible studies together) we knew that we couldn't make couples devotional time a “someday” item.
We needed to spend time together in the Bible as a couple right now–when we were in the thick of the exhilarating-but-exhausting parenting and career-building years. We needed to regularly invest in our marriage.
But we wondered how it was possible to have regular couples devotions with our crazy, always-changing family schedule. Sound familiar?
After nearly 21 years of marriage, we've found a few game-changing secrets for regularly reading a couples devotional together.
And in this post I want to share with you what we've learned so that you and your spouse can enjoy regular couples devotions too!
#1 Secret to Reading Couples Devotionals Regularly with Your Spouse
Our couples Bible time became habitual (and powerful) when we finally said—with humble, teachable hearts—“Jesus, we know you want us to be spending time with you together on a daily basis. Show us how to do this within our crazy life.”
This meant that we didn’t commit ourselves to following a strict regimen.
Or to never missing a day. Or to only doing couples devotions at a specific time of day.
We’ve kept our couples devotions time open and yet still kept it a priority, continually asking God for wisdom on how to make each day work.
Instead of locking ourselves into a schedule–and tacking on all that guilt when the schedule would fail–we simply kept it a priority and sought creative ways (for that season) to read a couples devotional together.
7 Tips for Making Couples Devotions a Habit
My husband and I have developed some simple guidelines for regularly reading a couples devotional together. Again, these aren't a list of “shoulds” and “musts” but mindsets.
We pray that these ideas will make enjoying a couples devotional (on a regular basis!) a reality for you and your spouse, too!
1) First, Forgive Each Other and Start New. Maybe your marriage devotional times have been hit-or-miss, or simply non-existent. This may have causedall kinds of built-up guilt and shame. Talk openly with each other, and pledge to start together from a new fresh place.
2) Determine What You'll Study in Your Couples Devotions.Couples devotions don't have to be fancy!Sometimes my husband and I have read a chapter of Proverbs and then prayed together.
Other timeswe’ve gone through a couples devotionaland then looked up additional verses. There’s no right or wrong answers here as long as God’s Word and prayer play a major part of the time.
Curious what our favorite couples devotional is?
Our favorite couples devotion is Consecrated Conversations from our dear friends (and marriage coaches) Mike and Carlie Kercheval.
I love that these couples devotions are meant to, as they put it, “teach you how to have holy conversations with your spouse.”
Yes! Isn't that the point?!
This marriage devotional doesn't just give you a Bible verse to read, but it includes meaningful commentary, a sample prayer and then discussion questions on important marriage topics.
This best-selling couples devotional has helped over 16,000 couples build a better marriage!
The Kerchevals, certified marriage coaches, Bible teachers and an awesome married couple of over 21 years, will introduce you to a 30 day, step-by-step proven process for learning:
- how to pray together as a couple
- how to read the Bible as a couple
- how to better communicate about important marriage issues
Plus as a digital resource, you can carry it with you wherever you are! And there's tons of great additional content, such as videos and printable marriage cards, along with the devotional.
I also appreciate that Consecrated Conversations understands the big needs of Christian couples: that we want to communicate and connect with our spouses and we're disappointed and hurt that we can't seem to make it happen. Consecrated Conversations is a specific, proven roadmap for a closer marriage for Christian couples.
I highly recommend this marriage devotional to many couples as the best couples devotional out there! Order your copy here.
P.S. Did I mention that this couples devotional experience (that includes an e-book, a video workshop, and scripture cards) is an INSANE value?! It's only $47 for $161 worth of content.
Seriously, the Consecrated Conversations Devotional is an amazing bible study experience to do with your spouse! What are you waiting for?
GO HERE TO GET CONSECRATED CONVERSATIONS
3) Keep It Private and Close the Door.Closing the door keeps us focused on each other and on God during couples devotions. This also models for our kids that time together in the Word is a private and important part of marriage (and they know not to come in if the door is shut).
4) Be Creative in Your Execution. We've found that mornings are best for us most days. But my husband travels quite a bit, so we've been known to get our devotional time late at night in via phone or even FaceTime.
I love how a good couples devotional make it easy to guide the conversation… especially when one of you is traveling (or, let's face it–tired!).
Don't miss our list of 10 favorite couples devotionals here.
5) Keep It Realistic and Full of Grace. Maybe it’s an especially tough season and couples devotions one day a week is all you can commit to right now. Great! One day a week is better than no days a week. Just make couples devotions a priority in your marriage.
6) Jump Back on the Wagon When You Fall Off Track.Despite your planning and best efforts, there will be seasonsthat couples Bible time just won’t happen. We get sick. Emergencies happen. Or we just plain forget (oops!). The point is, if you skip a day (or two, or five), forgive yourselves and re-start the couples Bible devotions habit. It's really OK!
7) Commit to Daily Couples Devotions for at Least a Month.Try it for 30 days and see how your marriage changes!Once my husband and I had enjoyed a regular couples devotional time, we were that much more compelled to keep up the habit. It became less of a chore and more of a delight.
Other Posts on Spiritual Growth in Marriage
- 7 Amazing Couples Devotionals to Bless Your Marriage
- 26 Ways Busy Parents CanHave More Date Nights
- The Surprising Secret to Better Sex in Christian Marriage
- 130 Creative Ways to Say I Love You to Your Spouse
- Romantic Love Quotes to Share with Your Spouse
- 8 Bible Verses About Love in Marriage
- How to Make SMART Marriage Goals with Your Spouse
- 4 Questions to Ask When Facing Tough Marital Issues
- Divorce Isn’t the Only Way to End a Marriage
- 5 Signs Your Marriage Is Headed for Trouble
- Waiting for the Miracle in Your Marriage
- Why a Daily Check-In Makes All the Difference in Our Marriage
And don't forget to check out that awesome Consecrated Conversations Couples Devotional!
