10 Great Dates to Energize Your Marriage

by David Arp

Small groups of couples can learn important skills and revitalize their marriages with this fun and unique approach. "You will love growing together while going out together." -John Gray Author of Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus Remember back to your dating days―the excitement you felt? Now you can reclaim that same spark, connection, and creativity in your marriage through ten intentional, memory-making dates. This proven approach to relationship growth is low-key, purposeful, effective, easy, and fun , and will help you * Communicate better * Put the sizzle back in sex * Process anger and resolve conflicts * Develop spiritual intimacy * Appreciate your differences * Balance busy lifestyles * And much more! Enjoy your dates alone as a couple or start your own 10 Great Dates group in your church or community. You probably already know 5-6 couples who could benefit from time-out to build their marriage and enrich their relationship with 10 Great Dates. See 10 Great Dates DVD Curriculum for everything you need to lead this effective, husband-friendly and fun program.

Genres: Marriage, Christian, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published May 4, 1997

About the author

Claudia Arp and David Arp, MSW, founders of Marriage Alive International, Inc., share a passion for helping couples build great marriages through fun, relationship-building dates. The Arps introduced the dating concept when dating wasn’t cool. Today their 10 Great Dates® brand of resources including books, DVD-based programs and seminars, are popular nationally and internationally. They have authored over 30 books, including the award winning The Second Half of Marriage.

Reviews

[Jason]

My wife and I did this with our church, and while it's certainly got some very cheesy moments, it was a really helpful exercise for us to go through as a couple; so much so that we set aside time for us to continue doing this each week.

by all means possible, skip the accompanying video series. They're awful.

[RaeAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I skimmed. Some parts spurred interesting conversations, most of it wasn't anything new. I thought chapter 10 was the most interesting.

[Lisa Topp · Rating 5 out of 5]

When was the last time you and your spouse talked about when you first knew you were in love? These guided dates make for some great discussion, and even better - scheduled time away from the kids. We did this with a group at church, and then went out on our private date to do the 'homework.' Some found the chapters a little silly, but you'll get out of it what you decide to put into it. Do something for your marrige - read this book together!

[Lindsay Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had heard great things about this book, but I was honestly expecting a cheesy kind of date prescription that wouldn't fit my husband's and my personalities. But I was very surprised. It was essentially a marriage retreat put down in a book. For each topic, there was significant insight into an aspect of marriage, as well as a conversation guide for couples to engage in that aspect over a date. It was a quick read, and I am excited to go on these dates with my husband!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seth and I read this book as part of a marriage small group. The premise is that it guides you through 10 dates, during which you read a chapter and answer questions to discuss together previous to each date. For example, one week we discussed communication/conflict styles. Another week addressed love languages. Really practical, and a great book to do in a group.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confession: We did this for the fun of it. Our church hosted a 30-minute talk on each topic before the date, and then each couple broke away for their own date. We appreciated the speakers and the FREE childcare (even though we didn't personally need the childcare.)

We suspect that the chapters and the information was for couples with more conflict than we have, but it was still good.

[Philip Meinel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Missing true (agape) love. This book is centered on building couple friendship, which is built upon mutual likes or liking. What if that's not present in the relationship? Then this book is not for you. Not to say that your marriage is hopeless, but you would need a different book (ex. The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller). I would like to see more focus on God and his promises.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book for anyone who is married. Aaron and I already knew some of the stuff in this book, but it was a great refresher. The video that you watch with this book is a little cheezy, but overall the 10 dates that you go on are indeed great.

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul and I took this class and it was amazing!

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Currently reading this book for our Thursday marriage class...it is a very good book. We go out on a date and do the excercise assigned for each date.

[Heather Preast · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book to go through to get deeper in the marriage and learn to have meaningful date nights. It would be good to do once a year and is very practical.

[SHBC Leaders' Library]

1 available - DVD only

[Michael Rom · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few ideas with communication, etc.