Olive North Marriage Retreat Planning Instructions
- June 13, 2024
- Olive North
Table of Contents
Olive North Marriage Retreat Planning Instructions
Plan your own marriage retreat! This simple practice can truly fortify and help renew aspects of your life as a married couple. My prayer is that as a result of this practice, you and your spouse would abound in greater thanksgiving, that you would be mutually built up toward Christ, and increasingly committed to the good works God has put before you in your life together.
A few steps to consider:
- Designate as much time as you’re able to take off for your retreat.
- Consider the broader topics listed below.
- Plug the topics you’d like to cover into your retreat agenda.
Thanksgiving & Acknowledgment
TOPIC 1: Overall Thanksgiving
- What major life circumstances come to mind from the past year in which God has sustained us?
- In what ways has God provided what we need – materially, relationally, spiritually?
- How has he used other people to care for us this past year?
- In what ways has he taken away, but given us more of himself?
Personal Holiness & Marriage Relationship
TOPIC 1: Marital Communication & Harmony
- What have been the sweetest aspects of our relationship? What have been the most painful?
- What patterns do we notice in our weekly lives that seem to be serving us? What patterns hurt us?
- How well have we been handling conflict in our marriage? What needs to change in our approach?
- How connected are we? How would each of us define being connected?
- Do our children see a love, devotion, and service in our marriage? How might we improve this?
TOPIC 2: Personal Holiness
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How have we seen each other grow in godly character this past year?
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What patterns of sin or sinful tendencies do we see in one another?
What unhealthy habits do we notice? -
What practical changes do we need to make to better strive toward godliness?
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How would we like to grow in Christlikeness in the upcoming season?
How might we support each other?
TOPIC 3: Priorities and Plans
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In the work we each have to do, what top priorities or burdens always rise to the surface?
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Are there any ways we can better help each other do the work God has given us to do?
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What aspects of our daily work do we most enjoy?
What aspects are most challenging? -
What are each of our upcoming projects and plans?
The Household
TOPIC 1: Routines and Rhythms
- What are the current rhythms of the day or week in our home?
- Which aspects of the day seem to be helping us flourish as a family? What times of day are depleting us?
- What do we enjoy about meal times together? How can we enhance our meal times, logistically and relationally?
- Are there any additions or subtractions we might make to eliminate pain points and more intentionally work toward our family goals?
- Are we doing too much in our weekly schedule? Could we be adding something?
TOPIC 2: Family Worship
- How is family worship going in our home?
- Are we keeping a regular commitment to family worship? What are obstacles we face to regular family worship?
- How might we improve aspects of reading Scripture, praying, and singing together?
Devotional Time
Pick a passage (or several passages) of Scripture and simply study and discuss
it together. Linger on the passage by making observations, interpreting the
text’s meaning, and talking about real life application of the truths you see.
Spend some time praying together for the Word you’ve read to take root in your
lives as a married couple and family.