Does the Bible Address “Dating”?
People think that “dating” is how the world does it, “courting” is what Christians should do, but really it doesn’t matter what you call it. Young people are always looking in their Bible concordance for the words “dating” or “courtship” but neither of them are actually in there. Just because the Bible doesn’t use those words, God has a lot to say about relationships. He calls it “love.”
This weekend we started a new series for our high school students called, “God Calls It Love.” My husband Bobby (who is a high school pastor) will be teaching a four week series to train our students to think and re-think guy-girl relationships in their lives.
This first lesson was a powerful look at Ephesians 5:22-33 which really got to the heart of the confusion about dating. Maybe you are thinking, “Wait a minute, that’s a passage about marriage…” Good point. In this first message we looked at some critical considerations for “dating” relationships:
What is the point of dating?
Are you preparing yourself for the responsibility of marriage?
Are your relationships characterized by love?
Are you praying about God’s plan for you?
The sermon audio is up at the Godsong Music website and I really hope that you will listen to it! Even if you are married, this message will still be beneficial because we all have single friends or family and especially if you have children who are dating. If you can’t listen to the whole sermon I’d encourage you to listen to at least the first ten minutes where Bobby talks about how the Bible does address dating.
Sermon Audio: “God Calls It Love”
April 30th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
This is a very important topic. I have teenagers. We have read and studied and prayed about courtship and dating, and variations in between. We have a daughter who has been “attached” to a very fine, godly young man for the last year and a half. Their relationship has been a tremendous source of not only blessing as well as a few moments of anxiety. Whatever path the family takes, I can’t recommend strongly enough the need for parents on both sides to be actively involved with their childrens’ relationships. Our daughter’s young man tells us that we are his “second parents.” He is open an accountable to us. Surprisingly, he has taught us a great deal about love. But then again, he is not a typical 18 year old boy.
I agree wholeheartedly with those questions. They should be asked, and asked frequently.
May 1st, 2007 at 3:44 pm
I listened to Bobby’s message and I realized how much I have been missing strong, scriptural preaching. We are currently at a church that is very biblical, but shallow. My guess is that the pastor thinks most of his congregation needs milk rather than the meat… but Jeremy and I are stuck because we both need stronger teaching and preaching than that.
Thank you for sharing!
May 2nd, 2007 at 10:17 am
Great message! There is nothing so refreshing as the truth! My dad always used the term “courtship;” but, in my book, dating and courtship are the SAME thing when you are a Christian. His rules/definition of courtship totally matched up with my “dating” standards. Funny how that can happen when two people use the same Book as a guide. And I have to say, it was the GREATEST way for Matt and I to walk into marriage. Couldn’t have been better!
May 9th, 2007 at 10:47 pm
I would have liked to hear more about the parent’s (or guardian’s) role in helping a child find or accept a suitable spouse. It worked for Rebekah.
Not sure, but I think your link might be off. I had to go backward to an archive to find the post you labeled.