God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars

Day 65: Memorize & Discuss

Memorize Ephesians 5:28 together.

Paul says that husbands should love their wives as Christ loves the church. He then goes on to say, “Hey dudes, love her like you love your own body” (my paraphrase). In essence, he’s telling men that any abuse, mistreatment, or abandonment of your wife is not acceptable. We may not always make the wisest decisions in how we care for our bodies, but every day, we do things to take care of the body God gave us.

Think for a moment of all the things you do to take care of your bodies. What do you do to take care of each other? What are ways that you can apply this verse to how you love each other?

Husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. h Ephesians 5:28 (NKJV)

Day 66: Conversation Starter

Take turns answering these questions about God’s creation:

Before you start your conversation, take a moment and answer the questions based on how you think your spouse would answer them…then see how many of them you guessed correctly.

1. What do you think is the funniest animal God created and why?
2. If you could only choose between the sun or moon/stars, which would you prefer?
3. If you could visit any planet, which one would you choose and why?
4. What is your favorite season of the year and why?
5. If you could be with God on just one day of creation, which day would it be and why?

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth h Genesis 1:1

Day 67: Relationship Builder

Look through your wedding photos together – or watch the video of your wedding if you had one made.

Taking moments to remember the day your lives began together can rekindle the emotions from that day. What are some memories you have of your wedding day? What emotions were each of you feeling and what do you remember the most? What was the funniest thing that happened? What was the worst? Husbands, what were your thoughts in that moment when your first laid eyes on your bride as she began walking down the aisle to you?

Above all, put on love – the perfect bond of unity. h Colossians 3:14

Day 68: Faith & Marriage

What does Ephesians 5:22-31 say about the roles of husbands and wives?

Read Ephesians 5:22-31 together. After you have read the verses, write individual lists of what God has to say to you about your role in the marriage. When your lists are complete, discuss together what this passage means for husbands and what it means for wives. If you do not have a clear understanding of what it means for wives to submit to their husbands, make an appointment with your pastor to have a discussion together.

Husbands, when you submit yourself to God and follow his leading as you lead and guide your family, your wife will have no problem submitting to your leadership because she will know that you are leading under the direction of the Holy Spirit. She will know that you have her best interests at heart just as God does, and that you are leading out of a heart of love and compassion. She will know that you have already sought the will of God and are obeying Him as He gives you direction for leading your wife and family. Being the “head of the home” does not mean you are demanding and everyone in the home bows down to you. Instead, you recognize that Jesus is the head of the church and you love your wife and family as Christ loves the church…enough to die for her. You also recognize that Jesus was submissive to the Father and so should you.

What adjustments do each of you need to make to follow what the Bible says in these verses? What would it look like in your home if you lived out these verses in your marriage?

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. h Ephesians 5:22-23 (KJV)

Day 69: Romance Builder

Leave a love note to your spouse in an unexpected place. See how long it takes for him or her to find it.

Your love note doesn’t have to be long….just a few lines to remind your spouse of your love for him or her. Make it a handwritten note. You can be serious, romantic, encouraging, thoughtful or intimate in your note. Slip your note in his coat pocket or under her breakfast plate or wherever you’d like. When you find the note, take a picture and send it in a text to your spouse to let them know you got it. You can also make this activity an ongoing game. One of you leave the first note and when the other finds it, then it’s that person’s turn to leave a note. Space them out so that they don’t become expected. Get a shoe box and store the love notes your spouse gives you…you’ll enjoy some day in the future rereading them.

My love is mine and I am his. h Song of Solomon 2:16

Day 70: Group Date Night

Plan a Cake and Karaoke group night at your home.

Each couple who attends will bring a homemade cake and one beverage. Everyone can sample each kind of cake while you take turns pulling up your favorite songs on YouTube and have some Karaoke in your living room. You can fill your night with a mixture of praise songs, love song, or some of your favorite popular songs. It doesn’t matter how well you sing…just enjoy it.

Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord. h Ephesians 5:19 (NIV)