SUMMARY OF TODAY’S PODCAST

The Family Dating Game

When you hear the word “dating” you might think immediately of those emotionally laden years before you were married. You were looking for Mr. or Miss. “Right” and the tension and hopes were high. Ultimately, you wanted to have some positive, healthy, deep experiences with another person that lead you to a lifelong commitment with a partner the LORD had chosen for you. Those same deep experiences need to be happening still, even after you’re married. And it goes beyond the practice of dating your spouse, you can also begin having “dates” with your kids too! In this episode of the podcast I’m going to give you some background, tips, and ideas regarding how you: a Mom, Dad, Husband, or Wife, can begin to “date” your family. This kind of family dating game is fun, effective, and powerful in the long run. I think you’re gonna’ like this one![pullquote]Getting into the habit of dating my wife and kids has been one of the most helpful and healthy things for our relationships. – Carey Green[/pullquote]

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Links mentioned in this podcast:

• Contact Christian Home and Family
• 20 ideas for dating your wife (article on Family Life website)
• How to date your kids (article at Keeper of the Home website)
• A Date with Dad (article on the Focus on the Family website)
• SHARE THE PODCAST using the social sharing buttons on the side of this page!

Episode Outline: The Family Dating Game

I. What do I mean by the “Family Dating Game?”

1. Setting up undistracted time to be with your family members individually.
2. It’s an opportunity to go deeper in your relationship together.
3. It’s a change to be real about life (your life and their life).
4. A consistent practice of “dates” will intentionally build your relationship over time.

II. What to do.

1. ost important: be together.
2. Have fun.
3. Vary it up.
4. Always make room for conversation.
5. Be purposeful – in your conversation, in your attention to that person, in your desire to know and love them.
6. YOUNGER CHILDREN: Play, draw, color, go to the park, play dough.

III. Topics/Questions

1. What is the happiest thing in your life right now?
2. What is the saddest thing in your life right now?
3. Are there any things you are looking forward to?
4. Are there any things you are struggling with?
5. Is there anything you are very excited about?
6. Is there anything you are fearful about?
7. Do you feel any tension between us?
8. Have I hurt you in any way?
9. How can I help you?
10. How can I better love you?
11. How can I better encourage you?
12. What thoughts have you had about God lately?
13. Has God shown you anything meaningful recently?
14. What have you been learning about God lately?
15. Do you feel close to God?

IV. Planning

1. Make it regular – weekly is best, bi-weekly is OK, monthly is fine – it all depends on your schedule. But make it a REGULAR priority.
2. Block out time for it – this is a priority as important as work. It communicate value of that person when you block out time for it.
3. Make it happen – consider the benefits, consider the damage if you don’t, no excuses.

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NEXT EPISODE: October2, 2013 – Podcast 56 – TO BE DETERMINED

The main music track used in the Christian Home and Family Podcast is entitled, “Midian” and is from Adam Rey’s instrumental album Meat & Potatoes – Adam has generously given me permission to use his music, so please, support his generosity by checking out and purchasing his music at www.heyreyguitar.com – (no affiliate relationship, Adam’s just my friend.) ** these are affiliate links

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