5 Fall Retreat Ideas for Couples to Refresh and Reconnect Spiritually
Marriage
Audio By Carbonatix
5:00 AM on Thursday, October 2
By Whitney Hopler, Marriage
1. A Day of Reflection and Prayer to Embrace Stillness
In a world that is constantly moving, stillness is rare and precious. A fall retreat focused on reflection and prayer invites you and your partner to step away from the noise of daily life and enter into a quiet time with God. You can spend this day at a peaceful retreat center, a quiet park, or even a dedicated room in your home. The purpose is to create an atmosphere where you can individually and collectively seek God's presence, reflect on your relationship, and open your hearts in prayer. Begin the day by reading Psalm 46:10: "Be still, and know that I am God." This verse reminds you that stillness allows you to recognize God's unlimited power. You and your partner can meditate on this passage, asking God to reveal areas in your relationship that need his healing touch. Set aside time for individual prayer, where you can speak openly to God about your spiritual journey and how you want to grow both individually and as a couple. Afterward, come together for shared prayer about your relationship, your future, and any burdens you may be carrying. Consider ending the day by taking a prayer walk through a scenic, quiet area. As you walk, hold hands and silently ask for God's guidance, allowing the beauty of nature to inspire you. Reflect on the words of Philippians 4:6, which encourages you to pray about everything: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Use this time to ask God to intervene in every situation that concerns you and to celebrate the blessings you have received together.
2. A Day of Worship and Gratitude to Develop Thankful Hearts
Fall – the season of Thanksgiving – is ideal for cultivating more gratitude in your lives. As the trees shed their leaves and the harvest comes to an end, you can reflect on God's abundant blessings in your lives and your relationship. Plan a weekend retreat focused on worship and gratitude, where the primary goal is to praise God for his goodness and to express thankfulness for each other.
Start the retreat by reading 1 Thessalonians 5:18: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Spend time together listing all the ways God has been faithful in your relationship – from the small daily blessings to the major milestones you've achieved together with God's help. Take turns sharing specific moments when you have seen God at work in your marriage or relationship. During this retreat, worship can take many forms. You might play worship music at home, attend a local church service, or even sing hymns together while driving through the countryside to admire the colorful fall leaves. Incorporate times of shared prayer, thanking God for the many blessings he has been pouring into your lives. As you immerse yourselves in worship, remember the call to worship in Psalm 100:4: "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." Before ending your weekend retreat, write letters of gratitude to each other, expressing how you see God's love reflected in your partner and how their faith has strengthened your relationship. This simple yet meaningful exercise can deepen your appreciation for each other and leave you with a tangible reminder of your time spent reconnecting.
3. A Day in Nature Together to Discover God's Wonder
God's creation is a living testimony to the wonderful Creator. Taking time to explore nature together as a couple allows you to witness the beauty of God's wondrous work and connect with God in the natural environment he has designed. You can learn something about God from every part of nature. Fall's vibrant colors and crisp air make it the perfect season for outdoor adventures that inspire awe and wonder. Plan a day of hiking, picnicking, or simply walking through a forest or nature preserve. As you explore, meditate on Romans 1:20: "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."
Allow the majesty of the changing leaves, the gentle rustle of the wind, and the beauty of the world around you to stir your hearts in worship. During your time in nature, find moments to pause, pray, and reflect on God's glory. Bring along your Bible and read verses like Psalm 19:1 ("The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”) and Psalm 65:8 ("The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.”) Take turns sharing how God's creation helps you discover God's wonder and feel awe. Experiencing this time together in nature can remind you that God is with you in every season of life. Conclude your day by finding a quiet spot to watch the sunset or gaze at the stars. Reflect on how small we are in comparison to the vastness of the universe and yet how intimately God knows and loves each of us. This experience of discovering God's wonder in nature will leave you feeling refreshed, connected, and spiritually renewed.
4. A Day of Service to Strengthen Your Love Through Kindness
Serving others is a powerful way to grow closer to God and each other. When you serve your community as a couple, you show God's love to those in need and strengthen your relationship through shared acts of kindness. This fall, consider dedicating a day to service, where you and your partner work side by side to make a positive impact in the lives of others. Begin the day by reading Mark 10:45: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Reflect on the example Jesus set for us, and discuss how serving others can bring you both closer to God's heart. As a couple, you can volunteer at a local food bank, help with a community cleanup project, or spend time visiting those in need of companionship, such as elderly neighbors or people in nursing homes. As you serve together, encourage one another, and celebrate the ways God is using both of you to make a positive difference.
Galatians 5:13 points out: "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love." By serving together, you are helping others and reinforcing the spiritual bond between you. Conclude your day of service by praying for the people you've encountered and reflecting on how this shared experience has strengthened your relationship. Serving together as a team can be a beautiful way to refresh your connection while you make important contributions together.
5. A Day of Studying the Bible to Deepen Your Knowledge of God's Word
A fall retreat focused on studying the Bible together allows you to discover new ways to apply biblical teachings to your relationship. Whether you're new to studying the Bible together or have been doing it for years, dedicating intentional time to explore God's Word will strengthen your spiritual foundation. Choose a book of the Bible or a specific theme to study during your retreat. For example, you might study the concept of love and marriage, focusing on passages such as Ephesians 5:25 ("Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,") or Proverbs 31:10 ("A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies."). These verses can spark meaningful discussions about your roles in the relationship and how you can better share God's love with each other. Set aside quiet times for personal reflection and journaling on what the Holy Spirit is revealing to you as you study. Then, come together to share your insights, discuss the challenges you're facing, and pray for God's guidance as you seek to grow spiritually. As you study, remember the wisdom of 2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." You can also incorporate Scripture memorization by praying Scripture over each other and finding creative ways to apply the Bible's teachings to your everyday lives. By the end of your retreat, you'll have not only deepened your understanding of God's Word but also strengthened your bond as spiritual partners.
In conclusion, a fall retreat for couples is an invitation to slow down, reconnect, and refocus on what truly matters: your relationship with God and each other. These experiences can deepen your spiritual bond and renew your commitment to walk together in faith. As Ecclesiastes 4:12 reminds you: "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." This fall, you can find rest, renewal, and reconnection as you seek God's presence together!
Photo credit: ©Unsplash/Cassidy Rowell Aawzg
