8 Questions to Guide Date Night Conversations

My wife and I have scheduled date night every week.  It is typically on Wednesday's but we are flexible.  If you're married or plan to be someday, this is one of the best things we have done as a couple for our marriage.  I highly recommend it.  

As we go out to dinner, we can't help but notice multiple couples and families that are sitting at a restaurant without talking.  The couples/families are on their phones, watching the TV, or sometimes staring off into space totally disengaged.  Or sometimes, one person (usually the wife...but not always) is rambling on and dominating the conversation the entire time.  

We decided that we didn't want to be like those examples.  If we have precious time alone together we want to make sure we are making the most of it.  Here are 8 questions that we have found along the way to help guide our conversations during date night.

1. What have you learned this week?
2. What are your highs and lows for this week?  Or specifically today? 
3. Is there any ways I can lighten your load this week? 
4. How are you doing with your goals/resolutions?  If you don't have any, what are some areas in which you want to grow?
5. Has God been speaking to you or showing you something lately? 
6. What are you most excited about during this upcoming season of our lives?
7. What are you most anxious about for this upcoming season of our lives?
8. How can I pray for you this week?

I like these questions because the answers always change.  You can keep this list on your phone and ask two or three each and every week.  Katy and I usually only get to ask 2 questions because they each spark thought, explanation, and more questions.

Notice that none of these questions are about work, kids, or current events.  It is natural to have conversations about these 3 areas but the goal for date night is for you to talk to and about each other.

Here is deal.  If you've been married, dating, or together for a few years you may have a tendency to think you know everything there is to know about your spouse.  But as humans our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and experiences change.  Stop assuming you know everything about your spouse and ask some questions to get to know one another again.  

Do you have a date night with your spouse?  How do you keep the conversation fresh?