I Dating/Courtship

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See also Sexual Purity, God's Will, Singleness
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1. In biblical times obtaining a mate involved parental arranging for
I a marriage or wives obtained by purchase or reward.

2. Today customs involve the young adult in the decision.

I Considerations:

1. Yielding to God's will as part of the decision.

I Psalm 37:3-4 Trust in the LORDand do good; dwell in the land
and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORDand he will
I give you the desires of your heart.
Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember your Creator in the days of your
youth, beforethe daysof troublecome and the yearsapproachwhen
I you will say,"I find no pleasure in them."

2. It is good to have parental involvement and support in this area as

I well as others.
Proverbs 6:20-25 My son, keep your father's commands and do
not forsake your mother's teaching. Bind them upon your heart
9 forever; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will
guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you
awake,they will speak to you. For these commands are a lamp, this
I teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to

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life, keeping you from the immoral woman, from the smooth
tongue of the wayward wife. Do not lust in your heart after her
beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes.
Proverbs 1:8-9 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and
do not forsake your mother's teaching. They will be a garland to
grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
Proverbs '5:1-2 My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well
to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your
lips may preserve knowledge.

3. Dating/courtship for marriage should only be with another

believer.

2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.

For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or
what fellowship can light have with darkness?

4. Standards and guidelines need to be in place with an understand-

ing of sexual purity.
Job'31:1 I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at
a girl.
1 Timothy 4: 12 Don't let anyone look down on you because you
are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in
love, in faith and in purity.

2 Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue ==

righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on
the Lord out of a pure heart.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 It is God's will that you should be
Ii:
sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of
you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and
honorable.
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