If you look at my old Bible (my wife, Lisa, had it re-covered many years ago for one of my birthdays), you’ll see the table of contents has dates written next to various Bible books. Those dates signify when Lisa and I finished reading through that biblical book together.
Bible reading is one aspect of spiritual intimacy that can have an amazing impact on a couple’s sense of togetherness. I worked on a book with Drs. Steve and Rebecca Wilke, and we wrote, “After decades of working with couples, we can confidently report to you that marital satisfaction is directly linked to spiritual intimacy, both with the Lord and with each other. When individuals are satisfied with God and His plan for their lives, they enjoy all that He has given them. People who are surrendered to the Lord are also more willing to surrender to others, understanding that serving their spouse is really an act of worship to God.”
Many marriage books and articles talk about the importance of communication, keeping our sexual intimacy alive and fresh, playing and laughing together, and other issues, but Bible reading rivals all of these in importance. Consider it “listening to God together,” because Bible reading is absolutely the best way for us as individuals and couples to listen to God. Whatever the Bible says, God says, and it’s amazing how timely God’s Word can seem, even when we read it on a schedule. His Holy Spirit has a way of lining up life so that we read just the right passage at the right time.
Keep reading this article on Focus on the Family.
