Cultivating Love & Igniting Passion
Day 1 - Feb 3, 2025
Each of Us Has What the Other Needs
God created us for relationship, meaning no one can fully meet their own needs. In marriage, I possess what my spouse needs, and they possess what I need. If we could fulfill our own needs, there would be no reason for marriage. This is why a marriage flourishes when a husband and wife serve one another.
We are called “Helpmates” for a reason. We enhance each other’s lives like icing on a cake, but we are never the cake itself. We can improve and add to each other's lives, but we can never be the primary source of joy, purpose, or identity for one another.
As God designed, the best marriages thrive between two loving servants. Each spouse needs to understand the other's needs and works diligently to fulfill them, putting each other’s interests first. They give generously to one another. Sexual intimacy is one of God’s greatest blessings in marriage, and it thrives on a true foundation of love and service. When that foundation is solid, the marriage becomes strong and enduring.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV) reminds us: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
Take Action
Do you know your spouse’s Love Language? Understanding this is crucial. If you’re unaware, the gestures you think are kind may not resonate with your spouse as intended. They might appreciate your efforts, but you want them to truly love the way you express your affection.
Consider taking the Gary Chapman Love Language test together to discover each other’s love languages: 5 Love Languages Test.
If you already know your spouse's love language, make it a priority to do something today that fulfills one of their love language needs without expecting anything in return.
Key Questions:
- What is one specific way you can support your spouse today in their love language?
- How can you serve each other better to strengthen your connection and intimacy?
Day 2 - Feb 4, 2025
To cultivate a thriving and passionate sexual intimacy in your marriage, it's essential to embrace four core beliefs. Remember them easily with the acronym TRUE:
- The Bible
- Reality
- Unmet Needs
- Each of You Having What the Other Needs
Biblical Foundation:
"Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous." — Hebrews 13:4 (ESV)
Engaging in Meaningful Conversations: Do you and your spouse talk about intimacy? It's important that these conversations go beyond just discussing frequency.
- If you do engage in these discussions, consider: Are you speaking to convince, or are you listening to learn?
- Are you being honest with yourself and your spouse? Productive conversations thrive on honesty and openness. Great discussions begin with thoughtful questions.
Take Action
The Best Way to Start Your Conversation
Honesty and clarity create a safe space for expressing needs. Start by asking your spouse a simple yet profound question:
- "Honey, you are important to me, and I truly want to know—when does your desire for our sexual intimacy ignite the most, and how can I better respond to it?
- Pause, be patient, and listen with an open heart and mind. Ask questions without making statements; this encourages a deeper dialogue.
The Importance of a Regular Check-In: Research shows that couples who communicate openly about intimacy report higher levels of satisfaction in their relationships. According to a study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family, couples who engage in regular discussions about their sexual needs experience greater emotional intimacy and fulfillment.
Make this type of conversation a regular part of your relationship. It can transform your understanding of each other’s desires and strengthen your bond. Aim for connection, clarity, and compassion in every discussion.
Day 3 - Feb 5, 2025
Is the Bible True and Authoritative in Your Life and Marriage?
As Christian couples, it's essential to ask ourselves: Is the Bible truly the foundation of our lives and our marriage? The ongoing attacks on the Bible in our culture highlight its relevance today. This is not a new tactic; the devil has been trying to undermine God’s Word since the beginning.
In Genesis 3:1, the serpent questioned humanity by asking, "Has God surely said...?" This was an attempt to instill doubt about the trustworthiness of God's commands. Had Adam and Eve adhered to His Word, they would have experienced the fullness of joy in their perfect marriage in the Garden of Eden. It was their departure from believing in God's truth that led to their downfall.
Every couple faces challenges, especially when it comes to intimacy and sexuality. If we don't believe that God’s Word is true, we risk being misled about what is right and wrong in our relationships. Unfortunately, many churches shy away from discussing sexual intimacy, often only reiterating the message, “Don’t do it unless you’re married.” But how do we keep our intimacy fresh and exciting without resorting to the world’s standards? Does the Bible provide guidance on this?
Only God’s Word can serve as our ultimate standard for truth. Marriage is a covenant, and physical intimacy symbolizes God’s divine approval of the union between a husband and wife.
Biblical Foundation:
"Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous." — Hebrews 13:4 (ESV)
Take Action
We encourage you to explore the symbolic role of sexual intimacy in marriage by watching the video resource below with your spouse. Consider watching it first on your own, then schedule a time to view it together.
Begin your conversation by asking each other open-ended questions rather than making demands or statements. For instance, ask your spouse for their thoughts on what you just watched.
- Watch Jimmy Evans of Marriage Today on Sex in Marriage: XO Marriage - Sex & Intimacy
Engaging with this material can help build a stronger, more intimate connection based on the truths of God's Word.
Day 4 - Feb 6, 2025
The reality of marriage and intimacy is often much different from what our culture portrays. Movies, television shows, magazines, and social media frequently present glamorized views of sexual immorality. These images can create a false narrative, making us feel like we are missing out on something exciting in "the real world."
While these portrayals highlight pleasure and excitement, they rarely show the aftermath: the heartache, loneliness, and broken relationships that often follow. As Hebrews 13:4 reminds us, "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral."
In this age of comparison, it’s easy to believe the lie that everyone else is experiencing better intimacy than we are. This unrealistic comparison can lead to feelings of disappointment and emptiness. Research shows that individuals who frequently engage with sexualized media are more likely to feel dissatisfied with their own relationships, creating a cycle of discontent.
Take Action
Are you allowing the wrong influences to enter your bedroom?
Consider these questions:
- Are there practices you desire or currently engage in that your spouse does not fully support?
- Do certain actions make your spouse feel distant or devalued?
- Is the root of your concerns about intimacy stemming from a lack of communication rather than the acts themselves?
If these issues are left unaddressed, they can create distance instead of intimacy. As Proverbs 18:21 states, "The tongue has the power of life and death," reminding us of the critical importance of open and honest communication in marriage.
Before attempting to enhance your intimacy, take a moment to pray and ask the Lord if there are areas in your relationship that need to be safeguarded. Sometimes, in the desire to spice things up, couples inadvertently create barriers that push them apart instead of bringing them closer together.
Guard your marriage bed by protecting it from outside influences. Discuss your likes and dislikes with each other openly. Be specific about your desires and concerns; vague conversations often lead to misunderstandings. Remember, intimacy is not just about physical connection but also about emotional and spiritual bonding.
Day 5 - Feb 7, 2025
Unspoken & Unmet Needs Can Open the Door for Attack on Your Marriage
In marriage, we commit to giving our bodies to one another, as stated in 1 Corinthians 7:4: "The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife." When a couple begins to withhold intimacy, often using sex as a form of punishment, they may inadvertently open the door to temptation and strain their relationship.
Withholding intimacy is akin to removing food from your home and then being upset when someone feels hungry. It creates a void that can lead to feelings of neglect and resentment.
It's important to clarify that this message is NOT a license for sexaul abuse. Instead, it emphasizes that giving yourselves to each other sexually can help close the door to temptation and strengthen your bond. Withholding intimacy rarely solves underlying issues; rather, it often creates a wedge between partners.
- Please hear me, "This isn’t a license for abuse". But when you give yourselves to each other sexually, you can close the door on the devil and temptations.
Take Action
Here Are 3 Direct Questions to Guide Your Discussion About Your Sex Life:
- What are your needs and desires when it comes to our sexual intimacy, and how can we work together to fulfill them? This is about recognizing, NOT blaming.
- Are there any areas where you feel unfulfilled or disconnected in our sex life? Try to explain "Why" you feel that way.
- How do you feel we can improve our communication about our sexual relationship?
We suggest that each spouse writes down their responses to these questions and then exchanges answers for the other spouse to read. This approach encourages more specific and thoughtful responses.
Remember: DO NOT interpret your spouse’s answers as an attack. Instead, view them as valuable insights that can strengthen your intimacy and keep the enemy from gaining a foothold in your marriage.
Aim to have this type of intimate conversation at least twice a year to foster a deeper connection.