5 Signs You’re Growing Spiritually Together as a Couple

1. Praying together to seek God’s will.

Prayer is the foundation of a strong spiritual life. When you and your spouse make it a habit to pray together, you invite God’s presence into your relationship. This shared spiritual practice can significantly deepen your bond. It can also help you make sure that the decisions you make together are lined up with God’s purposes well. Jesus promises in Matthew 18:19-20 that agreeing in prayer together about anything will lead to powerful blessings: “… truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Praying together not only brings you both closer to God, but also to each other. It allows you to share your deepest thoughts and feelings, which promotes a sense of unity and understanding between you. When you pray with your spouse, you open your hearts to each other and to God, creating a profound spiritual connection. This practice can also help you both learn how to support each other through prayer and interceding on each other’s behalf. It’s important to seek God’s will together for the decisions you both will make every day. So, make a habit of praying daily for wisdom and discernment. Pray with open hearts and clear minds. Listen carefully to what thoughts come to mind after you pray, and do your best to apply the wisdom you receive to the choices you make for your shared life together as a couple. Follow the Bible’s advice in Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

When you and your spouse pray together to seek God’s will, you become partners in your spiritual journey. This collaboration in faith strengthens your bond and helps you both make decisions with peace and confidence.

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2. Studying the Bible together.

Delving into God’s Word as a couple is a powerful way to grow spiritually. Timothy 3:16-17 points out: “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.” By studying the Bible together, you and your spouse can gain a deeper understanding of God’s teachings and how they apply to your lives. It allows you both to explore and discuss your faith, ask questions, and support each other’s spiritual journeys. It also encourages open communication and mutual respect, creating a solid spiritual foundation for your relationship. By regularly setting aside time to read and reflect on the Bible, you and your spouse can grow in your understanding of God’s Word and how to apply it to your daily lives. This practice can lead to deeper conversations about faith that can strengthen your marriage.

Bible study as a couple can take many forms: reading through a specific book of the Bible, following a devotional guide, or attending a Bible study group together. You might decide to read a chapter each day and discuss it, or you could follow a Bible study plan that focuses on specific themes such as love, forgiveness, or faith. The key is to make it a regular practice and to approach it with a desire for lifelong learning. Studying the Bible together gives both of you opportunities to see how God is working in each other’s lives. It allows you and your spouse to witness each other’s spiritual growth and to offer support and encouragement along the way. This mutual Bible study can also help to resolve conflicts and misunderstandings, as you all learn to apply biblical principles to your marriage. You and your spouse can discover valuable new insights together that can help you both keep growing spiritually. 

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3. Practicing forgiveness and grace.

Forgiveness and grace are vital for growing spiritually. When you and your spouse practice these virtues, you reflect Jesus’ kindness and compassion. Ephesians 4:32 encourages you to: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Forgiving each other for mistakes, learning from them, and showing grace during difficult times can lead you both to great spiritual growth. Forgiveness and grace allow you and your spouse to move past hurt and resentment. By emulating Jesus’ example, you can create a nurturing and supportive environment where both partners can thrive spiritually.

Practicing forgiveness involves letting go of grudges and embracing a spirit of reconciliation and peace. This is not always easy, but it is essential for maintaining a healthy and spiritually vibrant relationship. Grace goes hand in hand with forgiveness. It’s about treating each other with love and respect no matter what, and being kind to each other when you all make mistakes. By extending grace to each other, you and your spouse can create a safe and supportive space where both of you feel valued and understood. Grace is the willingness to offer love and support unconditionally, reflecting the love that God shows to each of us.

Both you and your spouse are on a journey of growth, and mistakes are a part of that journey. By maintaining a forgiving and gracious attitude, you all can encourage each other to grow and improve without fear of judgment or rejection. This builds an atmosphere of mutual respect and unconditional love, which is crucial for spiritual growth.

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4. Encouraging each other’s spiritual gifts.

Every Christian is blessed with unique spiritual gifts. The Bible reveals in Romans 12:6-8: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

Encouraging each other to recognize and develop the gifts God has given each of you can lead to significant spiritual growth, since you both will experience renewal and revival in the process. Recognizing and nurturing each other’s spiritual gifts allows you all to celebrate your individuality and work together harmoniously. It promotes mutual respect and admiration, strengthening both your relationship and your shared spiritual journey. Identify areas where each spouse excels and find opportunities to use those gifts in service to others. For example, one spouse might have the gift of teaching, while the other has the gift of hospitality. By recognizing and encouraging these gifts, you can find ways to serve your church and community together. You can also give each other the necessary support and resources for each of you to learn new skills that help you each use your spiritual gifts to the fullest.

Encouraging each other’s spiritual gifts also means celebrating each other’s successes and growth. When one spouse takes a step forward, the other should offer praise and encouragement. 

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5. Serving others together.

The next step after encouraging each other’s spiritual gifts is using those gifts to serve others together. The Bible urges you in 1 Peter 4:10: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” You and your spouse are partners in God’s work, with a shared sense of purpose. Serving others can take many forms, from volunteering at a local charity to supporting a friend in need. By helping people together, you and your spouse can learn to see beyond just your own needs and prioritize the well-being of others. That will allow you all to experience the joy and satisfaction that comes from helping other people and pleasing God.

Whether it’s participating in community service projects, supporting church ministries, or helping neighbors, these shared experiences can strengthen your spiritual growth and bring you closer together. Serving others together also teaches you both the importance of humility and selflessness. By putting other people’s needs before your own, you’ll both grow in spiritual maturity. Serving others can also give you and your spouse valuable lessons in teamwork and cooperation, helping you develop stronger communication and problem-solving skills. Finally, serving others as a couple can create lasting positive memories and build a strong foundation of shared experiences. These experiences can strengthen your bond for years to come. 

In conclusion, you need to be intentional about growing spiritually together as a couple, every single day. But as you and your spouse choose to seek God together in fresh ways daily, you’ll experience powerful growth – both in your relationships with God, and with each other. So, look for these signs of spiritual growth, and then strengthen them at every opportunity. As you and your spouse continue to grow together spiritually, remember to support each other, celebrate your progress, and trust in God’s guidance. Following these practices will build a strong connection between you and your spouse with God, who is the source of all love!

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