Introduction
Many of you may have heard of or watched the movie “Fireproof,” which tells the powerful story of one man’s journey to save his marriage. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it. Inspired by the film, we are excited to offer you the opportunity to participate in the 40-day Love Dare Challenge. Whether you are a husband or a wife, taking on this challenge is sure to strengthen your marriage in ways you may not have even realized.
Day 1: Speak Positively
Dare: Refrain from saying anything negative about your spouse today.
Bible verse: Ephesians 4:2 “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.”
Day 2: Show Kindness
Dare: Perform an unexpected act of kindness for your spouse.
Bible verse: Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Day 3: Thoughtful Gesture
Dare: Buy your spouse a gift that shows them you were thinking about them.
Bible verse: Romans 12:10 “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
Day 4: Check-In
Dare: Contact your spouse during the day and ask how they are doing, offering any assistance they might need.
Bible verse: Psalm 139:17-18 “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.”
Day 5: Honest Communication
Dare: Without attacking, ask your spouse to share three things that make them uncomfortable or irritated, and listen attentively.
Bible verse: Proverbs 27:14 “Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be counted as cursing.”
Day 6: Respond with Love
Dare: Choose to respond with love and understanding in challenging situations, rather than irritation.
Bible verse: Proverbs 16:32 “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”
Day 7: Words of Appreciation
Dare: Write down positive attributes about your spouse and express gratitude for one of those qualities during the day.
Bible verse: 1 Corinthians 13:7 “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
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Day 8: Celebrate Success
Dare: Share your joy and admiration for a recent achievement of your spouse.
Bible verse: Song of Solomon 8:6 “Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord.”
Day 9: Welcoming Greeting
Dare: Greet your spouse in a way that reflects your love, accompanied by a smile and enthusiasm.
Bible verse: 1 Peter 5:14 “Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.”
Day 10: Surprise Them
Dare: Do something extraordinary for your spouse today.
Bible verse: Romans 5:8 “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
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Day 11: Meeting Needs
Dare: Identify and fulfill a specific need that your spouse has today, accompanied by a smile.
Bible verse: Ephesians 5:28 “In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.”
Day 12: Selfless Resolution
Dare: Choose to let go of any disagreement with your spouse by willingly giving in.
Bible verse: Philippians 2:4 “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Day 13: Establish Boundaries
Dare: Discuss and establish healthy rules for conflict resolution in your marriage.
Bible verse: Mark 3:25 “And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.”
Day 14: Quality Time
Dare: Dedicate time to be fully present with your spouse by intentionally neglecting other activities.
Bible verse: Ecclesiastes 9:9 “Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.”
Day 15: Honor and Respect
Dare: Find a way to show honor and respect to your spouse that goes beyond your usual routine.
Bible verse: 1 Peter 3:7 “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”
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Day 16: Pray
Dare: Pray for three specific areas where you desire God’s work in your spouse’s life and your marriage.
Bible verse: 3 John 2 “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.”
Day 17: Confidentiality
Dare: Safeguard your spouse’s secrets and uplift them in prayer.
Bible verse: Proverbs 17:9 “Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.”
Day 18: Intimate Dinner
Dare: Prepare a special dinner at home and focus on deepening your connection.
Bible verse: Proverbs 3:13 “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding.”
Day 19: Spiritual Assessment
Dare: Reflect on your relationship with God and seek His guidance for your eternal destination.
Bible verse: 1 John 4:7 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”
Day 20: Trust in God
Dare: Have faith in Jesus Christ for salvation and rely on His promises.
Bible verse: Romans 5:6 “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”
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Day 21: Seek God’s Guidance
Dare: Make time today to pray and read the Bible.
Bible verse: Isaiah 58:11 “And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”
Day 22: Unwavering Commitment
Dare: Choose to love wholeheartedly, even if your spouse seems disinterested.
Bible verse: Hosea 2:20 “I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord.”
Day 23: Remove Hindrances
Dare: Eliminate anything that hinders your relationship and redirects your affection away from your spouse.
Bible verse: 1 Corinthians 13:7 “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
Day 24: Overcoming Temptation
Dare: Identify and remove any sources of lust from your life.
Bible verse: 1 John 2:17 “And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
Day 25: Forgiveness
Dare: Forgive your spouse for anything you may be holding against them.
Bible verse: 2 Corinthians 2:10 “Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ…”
Day 26: Seeking Forgiveness
Dare: Ask God for forgiveness for your own wrongdoings and humbly confess them to your spouse.
Bible verse: Romans 2:1 “Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.”
Day 27: Apology
Dare: Apologize to your spouse for being too demanding in an area they have highlighted.
Bible verse: Psalm 25:20 “Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.”
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Day 28: Acknowledgment
Dare: Appreciate and commend your spouse for displaying Christian character recently.
Bible verse: 1 Corinthians 13:6 “[love] …it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.”
Day 29: Seek Guidance
Dare: Find a trusted couple to mentor and guide your marriage, seeking God’s wisdom.
Bible verse: Proverbs 15:22 “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.”
Day 30: Read the Bible
Dare: Commit to reading the Bible daily and invite your spouse to join you.
Bible verse: Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Day 31: Pray Together
Dare: Ask your spouse if you can start praying together.
Bible verse: Matthew 18:19 “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.”
Day 32: Intimacy
Dare: Initiate physical intimacy with your spouse (in a way that honors them) if possible.
Bible verse: 1 Corinthians 7:3 “The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband.”
Day 33: Seek Advice
Dare: Express to your spouse the importance of incorporating their perspective and counsel into your decision-making.
Bible verse: Ecclesiastes 4:11 “Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?”
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Day 34: Appreciation
Dare: Verbally commend your spouse for displaying Christian character in a noticeable way.
Bible verse: 1 Corinthians 13:6 “[love] …it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.”
Day 35: Seek Support
Dare: Find a Christian couple to serve as mentors and seek God’s direction together.
Bible verse: Proverbs 15:22 “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.”
Day 36: Bible Commitment
Dare: Dedicate yourself to reading the Bible every day and ask your spouse to join you if they are willing.
Bible verse: Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Day 37: Pray Together
Dare: Approach your spouse and ask if you can begin praying together.
Bible verse: Matthew 18:19 “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.”
Day 38: Fulfill Desires
Dare: Consider what your spouse desires, if it were attainable, and create a plan to fulfill some or all of those desires.
Bible verse: Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Day 39: Commitment Letter
Dare: Spend time in personal prayer, then write a letter of commitment to your spouse, leaving it where they will find it.
Bible verse: 1 Corinthians 13:8 “Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.”
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Day 40: Renewal of Vows
Dare: Write a renewal of your vows and place them in a prominent location in your home.
Bible verse: Ruth 1:16 “But Ruth said, ‘Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.'”
Now that you have the 40-day Love Dare Challenge, embark on this journey to strengthen your marriage. Remember, love requires effort and commitment, but the rewards are immeasurable.
For more information about enhancing your marriage and fostering love, connection, and growth, visit Thumbuddy To Love.