52 Uncommon Dates: A Couple's Adventure Guide for Praying, Playing, and Staying Together

by Randy Southern

We know we should do it. We talk about it and acknowledge the benefits; yet most couples find praying together awkward, intimidating, or just hard to schedule. It's time to experience a breath of fresh air... in prayer. 52 Uncommon Dates ignites a prayerful and playful connection in a way that feels natural and relevant to real life. Fun, creative, and spiritually engaging, this powerful resource will revive the relational, physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of your relationship, one date at a time.

Genres: Marriage, Relationships, Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Family, Christianity

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2014

About the author

RANDY SOUTHERN has written dozens of books, articles, study guides and curricula for the Christian market. His works include The World¿s Easiest Guide to Family Relationships, Raising Highly Capable Kids and Dating Clues for the Clueless.A graduate of Taylor University, Randy lives with his family in Fishers, Indiana.

Reviews

[Laura Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Dating is to marriage what breathing is to the body,” says Gary Chapman in his introduction to author Randy Southern’s new book, 52 Uncommon Dates: A Couple’s Adventure Guide for Praying, Playing, and Staying Together. This book is packed with loads of ideas for creative dates. But they aren’t just dates. They are intentional opportunities to engage in meaningful communication and relationship building as well as spiritual growth. Couples will even some ideas for spicing up their sexual relationship sprinkled throughout some of the dates.

One of the things I love about 52 Uncommon Dates is the way Southern intentionally constructed each date to include the following components:
• Set the Scene - a description of the date;
• Make It Happen - tips for what to do and where to go;
• Finish Strong - questions and suggestions for talking about the date and deepening intimacy;
• Mind Your Language - ideas on how to incorporate the five love languages and fill your spouse's love tank;
• Take It to God - suggestions for praying together before, during, or after the date; and
• Dig Deep - scriptures to look at as a couple, grow spiritually as a couple.

Here’s just a sampling of the 52 Dates:
• The First Time for Everything Date where couples purposely get out of their rut and try new things.
• The Playground Date where couples go to a playground and then focus on better understanding each other’s childhoods.
• The Arcade Date where couples have fun together and focus on what it means to be more childlike in faith.
• The Zoo Date where couples enjoy God’s creation and conversation.
• The Memory Lane Date where couples remember favorite moments together.

I have to say that there are a few dates my husband and I won’t be using, like the Haunted House (Halloween) Date, the Dancing Date, and the Amusement Park Date. However, even without those three, there are almost enough dates for one a week for an entire year. I especially like how each date is intentionally designed to help couples grow together spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

52 Uncommon Dates is one I’ll be giving as wedding shower gifts in the future. A great marriage takes work, and regular dates are a key tool for strengthening marriages. I highly recommend this book to all couples whether they’ve been married just a few months or more than 50 years. There’s always more to learn about your spouse, and author Randy Southern helps facilitate growth in intimacy with these fun, interesting and intentional date ideas.


About the Author
Randy Southern has written dozens of books, articles, study guides and curricula for the Christian market. His works include The World's Easiest Guide to Family Relationships, Raising Highly Capable Kids and Dating Clues for the Clueless.A graduate of Taylor University, Randy lives with his family in Fishers, Indiana.

* Note: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for this honest review. However, the opinions expressed are my own.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I thought it was. I wanted something that would be more like a recipe, this was very general like, "go on a road trip".

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book!!!!
this book!!!!
I'm to the point of thinking that this was written for the guys! which is wonderful.
This book has so many great ideas! I'm excited to try them all! This book is faith based, wonderfully so!
I borrowed this book from our local library as a eBook and let me tell you we are purchasing this book!~~
clever and just brilliant

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book that I chose to read since I am on a bit of a Gary Chapman kick. Although the author isn't the same he does lean strongly upon the concept that Gary has brought in while the book focuses on the love languages and how you can build your dates to help fill your significant other's love tank.

First of all most of these ideas aren't quite creative and original while any hard-thinking romantic could have come up with them on their own. Instead they are as they claim as being uncommon since who would think of spending the day in a cemetery, doing a factory tour or even playing with Legos or Lincoln logs even if it is with your partner? What makes them unique also is the suggestions and lessons that come with the dates such as small challenges of trying to stay in a car for the duration of a date, double dating with family or finding a mentoring couple who wants to go apple picking with you.

Each entry has two quotes - one from the Bible and one from Gary Chapman that gets you geared towards what the lesson may be. Furthermore there is a small introduction, how to set up the date, further suggestions for the night, how to finish strong with exploratory questions, what to pray and for further study Bible verses relating to the theme. If you aren't a Christian than you can skip over most of the biblical portions while finding the lessons can still be used for you.

While I was reading I enjoyed getting to know the lessons that were suggested and can agree they were great to help further a dat but unfortunately my husband wouldn't be too thrilled with having a whole lesson as we date. And although conversation starters are great, there were some that I wouldn't feel like trying to dig out of my husband, especially during a date. I think in the end I took more away with getting some great date ideas and getting excited as I pre-planned them in my head or adding more details to those that I had already started planning like a factory date.

So for those who are romantics at heart I would suggest this book whether you are just skimming it or reading every part of it then have fun adding them to your own ideas.

[Samantha Decker · Rating 1 out of 5]

Here’s a rundown of the book- do the laundry, or go grocery shopping, or eat at a restaurant and think about god before and after and then put the word date at the end and boom, you’ve got an endless amount of ideas.

These are just everyday activities with the word “date” at the end. The garage sale date, the car ride date, etc. Some of the ideas are incredibly cringe and made for 75+ year olds. The Firehouse Pancake Breakfast date feels extremely exhausting.

Before and after each “date” the author asks the couples to “think about god and your christian walk”. That’s the whole book.

And this is incredibly heteronormative, so if your Christianity doesn’t allow for anything other than straight couples and bigotry, this would be up your alley.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whether you get 52 new ideas, 32 new ideas, or 2 new ideas for dates for your marriage, this book provides a great example of how to be intentional with each moment to build intimacy in your marriage no matter what you’re doing and provides great examples of applied biblical principles in married life.

[Carolyn Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

A date a week for a year, this book is co-authored by the famous Mr. "Love Languages" Gary Chapman himself. A great book, more oriented towards Christian married couples, but adaptable for unmarried daters as well. A great resource to help keep the romance refreshed while incorporating discussion of God and values.

[Megan Bevers · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a good list of different date ideas, but alot of them were pretty basic or just doesn't seem to take in account for having little kids (like spending one day grocery shopping together and the next cooking a big meal all day). I did like that every chapter had a way to think about your partner's love language and what would make them feel especially loved for that date.

[Carrie Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some great, unique date ideas in the book. This book might be better suited for those who are more religious, specifically Christian; there is a lot in each section on making it spiritual, which isn't a bad thing, it just wasn't relative to me (and I consider myself spiritual).

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very practical book, 52 ideas how we could still dating when already married. The content was designed with the basis of 5 love languages by gary chapman. Many ideas here was on western culture though, and maybe some ideas was out of date for millennial generation 🤣

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Underwhelming, and I just ended up skimming through most of it. If you haven't gone on these types of dates on your own already (dancing, zoo, picnic, bike ride, etc.) then I think you need more than this book.

[Dottie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great guide to some really uncommon dates! Each section has a date idea, prep for said date and a devotional for afterward. It's a really cool concept!

[Dustin · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some good ideas I’d try and some stinkers I wouldn’t good reminder to keep your marriage fun, exciting and adventurous!

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some cute date ideas. There were some weird date ideas: Going to visit graves.
It gave me some good ideas.

[Christina Pope · Rating 2 out of 5]

Would be better if specific ages were separated.

[Dana Kamstra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to get to review this book. My husband and I have dated for four years before we were married, and have continued dating for five more and counting. But, sometimes once you’ve dated for so long, you run out of some fresh ideas. Well, now we have a book with some wonderfully creative possibilities.

First of all, some of the suggestions in this book might come across as a bit simiple if you and your spouse have been together for more than a couple of years. If you have reached that point of knowing each other quite well, some of the aspects of this book might just feel a bit silly. But, if you stay open minded about the points of each date, I’m sure you can still have fun with this book and have some great conversations with your significant other.

So what is this book really like? Well, each “date” chapter has seven components:

1. Words to Grow On: This section is simply a verse and a note by Gary Chapman. They are words to keep in mind on your date.
2. Set the Scene: This is an overview of what the date is and what the overall point of it is.
3. Make it Happen: Literally, this is nearly a step-by-step of how to pull the date off.
4. Finish Strong: You can find some focused questions that are designed to go along with the date. They are meant to help you learn more about the other person and grow your relationship.
5. Mind Your Language: If you are familiar with Gary Chapman’s Five Love Languages, then you’ll really enjoy reading how each date can help you utilize a particular love language for that date or even suggestions for after.
6. Take it to God: Prayer is an important aspect of any relationship and this section gives you a few suggestions to specifically thank God for and to pray over.
7. Dig Deep: Finally, this section gives specific passages to look up and discuss that relate to whatever theme the date is. It also suggests reading a passage from the Love Language Devotional Bible.

Overall, I think this book is fantastic. I love how creative the dates are and even just reading the table of contents has me interested in trying some of these out. The People-Watching Date, The Lego Date, The Car Date, and The Cemetary Date all sound quite interesting… and there are plenty more!

**I received a copy of this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.**

[Gabrielle W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

With access to blogs and Pinterest it's easy to find lists of date ideas. Seeing this book, I thought it'd be a repeat of everything already out there, essentially a waste of money.
I'm so pleased to say I was wrong!
This easy to read 223 page book is amazing!
Taken from the introduction:
"...Dating is viewed as a prelude to marriage. It was important, it served its purpose, but now it's time to get serious about life. It is this kind of reasoning that leads couples ti forget that their relationship with each other is what marriage is all about.....Dating is to marriage what breathing is to the body....The choice to date communicates the message, "I still love you. I still enjoy being with you. I'm glad I married you."
Unlike some books, I suggest reading the introduction.
Each date contains the Title (the dates theme), Words to grow on (bible verses in text), Set the scene (what this dates about), Make it happen (instructions), Finish strong (questions to start a discussion), Mind your language (using Gary Chapman's Love Language-offers advise for certain love languages), Take it to God (before your date use some of the suggestions given), and Dig Deep (grab your bible and delve deeper into Gods word with these bible versus).
This book offers great idea ranging from normal (but still loads of fun) to creative and unique. This book is definitely a great way to break up the mundane date night and get you out of a rut! Unlike some books, this would be great for both newly weds and going on 25 years couples.
One thing I should note, though the cover bears Gary Chapman's name, he wrote the introduction and the book works close to his Love Language book (i.e the Mind Your Language part of each date), the book is actually written by Randy Southern; so I feel bad his name isn't on the cover or even spine of this great book.

If you're married, this book is worth the purchase! My parents are actually planning on doing it like a devotional-working there way through the book.

"I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review."

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since I got married three years ago I have heard many people tell me to "keep dating". All of the marriage studies and books also promote the idea of a couple to keep dating. That being said, I think many of these push the idea mainly for couples with kids. It's more difficult for them to go on "date nights". As a couple without kids and only one dog, a lot of the ideas behind date nights don't really relate to us.

Many of the dates listed in this book are our daily lives on the weekend. We go on bike rides, we cook, we watch movies, we hike, and we play on the playground. Obviously this is not always the case but for couples that don't get to do these things on a daily basis this book is perfect.

I would give this book to any newlywed or any couple who has small children. Some of my favorite date ideas are: Lego date, park bench date (sitting and reading the Bible in the park), sunrise date, and the cemetery date. This book really does have some great simple ideas. None of the things have to cost that much money. Many of the dates are not for small town/country folk. Going to the zoo or the arcade etc. these aren't always things they can do when the nearest anything is five hours away. There is enough variety throughout the book that the couple can get creative on the matter though if in this situation.

The main part of this particular date book that I like is before and after each date the couple prays, and then they talk about what they did and how it honors God or how they can live out their faith. This also gives verses and other resources to read to go along with each date.



This is a great book I really loved it.



I recommend to any couple.



"I received this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review."

[Jenny Farmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has some creative, fun, and imaginative date ideas. 52 ideas, to be exact.

Each date has a description, suggestions for how to accomplish the date, talking points, and suggestions for prayer and scripture reading.

I like that all of these date suggestions are different. Some are very involved and would require you to go somewhere and even plan a night away. Which is super hard for us to do these days with the kids. So I’ll save them for later.

Other dates are fun things that we could do in the evening after the kids are in bed. Plan a special snack, have our date activity, and spend some intentional time bonding as a couple doing something together that we both enjoy doing. The talking points with each date are great for going deeper into our relationship than just the activity that we’re participating in.

With work and kids we honestly don’t spend a ton of intentional time together. And we’ve used this book to schedule a couple of fun dates while the kids sleep – because, if it’s not on our calendar, it doesn’t happen.

And this book gives us something fun to do on our date, instead of just eating dinner and looking at each other with that “what now?” expression and then settling for Netflix.

If your looking for some fun new date ideas. You’ll find some fun ideas in this book!

I received this book free for purposes of my review. All opinions are my own.

[J. Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I really liked about this one is how Scripture is interwoven throughout the ideas. There’s a focus scripture at the beginning, questions for relating to one another and to God, and follow-up passages to reinforce biblical understanding and intimate time.

The book boasts that these date are “uncommon,” and indeed they are. Too many of us default to dinner and a movie, or conversing about household tasks and parenting. But a good date night helps you stay connected, grow in intimate knowledge of one another, and keep the spark alive. These uncommon ideas foster exactly that.

Not every chapter may hook your interest, but with 52 ideas, there’s bound to be some dates you’d like to try and would enjoy.

[Denise DiFalco · Rating 5 out of 5]

52 Uncommon Dates (A Couple's Guide for Praying, Playing and Staying Together) by Randy Southern is a must read for all couples. Between it's pages you will find countless creative ways to have fun while integrating prayer throughout your experiences. The author suggests the candlelight date; the jigsaw puzzle date; the spiritual heritage date; roller skating date just to name a few. With each exercise there is a reference to scripture and tips on how to bring each's individuals spirituality to the table. A marvelous tool for deeper conversation and making life better together. I was given the awesome opportunity of reviewing this book for Moody Press. Also find a stellar introduction by Gary Chapman #1 New York Times bestselling author of the 5 Love Languages.

[Amy Hornek]

This is a really great book for married couples to find creative ways to spend time together. There are ideas on ways to pray, questions to ask and innovative ways to love on your spouse. This would make a great wedding or anniversary gift.

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of fun date ideas, with ideas for including prayer and Bible study too. I enjoyed it.

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually, this had some pretty good ideas. I was gratified to find an idea that I'd come up with on my own show up amongst the dates (shopping for a food pantry).