Settlers of Catan gets a lot of love here at TheChristianNerd and rightly so. It's an amazing game that Christians love to play.
Christians love Catan because it gives them the opportunity to boast about something.
Christians love to play Catan at Chick-fil-A.
The nerdiest Christians love to play Star Trek Catan.
Christians just love Catan.
Another of my favorite games that I would love to see sweep the bride of Christ off her feet is Dominion. Dominion is a deck-based strategy game that changes from game to game based upon what cards are in play. I read about it in Wired magazine a few years ago and have enjoyed playing it ever since.
This past weekend Alycia and I spent an afternoon playing Dominion with another couple. I won a game, which was fantastic, but it was even better spending time with another couple growing our friendship.
One of the most difficult aspects of marriage is finding other couples with whom to spend time. Hanging out with another couple for the first time feels a lot like a first date. Both couples are trying to get a feel for the other, trying to see if any genuine connections can be made. After that first encounter comes the awkward phase of gauging the other couple's level of interest. That's a "will they/won't they" phase filled with as much suspense as Jim and Pam on The Office or Starbuck and Apollo in the new Battlestar Galactica.
Thankfully our time together wasn't that awkward and I think some genuine connections were made. We had great conversations but sitting around a table and playing Dominion definitely played a part as well.
All board games are great for facilitating relationships. Board games provide an opportunity for us to interact with others face-to-face. With the amount of time we spend staring at our phones, even when surrounded by friends, we need to seize every chance to look others in the eye and strengthen our connections.
Especially when we also have the opportunity to win.
What games help you strengthen your friendships?
I really like this post even though I don't really play either game, I know the importance of having other "couple" friends and that is something Courtney and I just don't have in TN, and we miss a lot.
A game i would think of first is monopoly due to the almost never-ending time that could be spent playing it. But, I really want to thank you Scott for writing this blog and just being an awesome person. thanks 😉
Thank you, Mike.
Thanks for the comment, Jace. I can only imagine how difficult it must be not having couple friends. Alycia and I have always had one or two. I'll remember to pray that you and Courtney can find those kinds of life giving relationships.