DATING: NEXT STEPS
If you are just tuning in to the series you can read though the whole dating series by clicking on the side bar on the right.
We have talked about many different issues with dating over the past 5 weeks. We started out by saying that dating is a fairly new thing and that it has moved away from courting. As much as people strongly dislike courting, let’s not throw it all out the window just yet. I think something we have lost in modern dating is the value of community and family. Dating takes place secretly; maybe mom or dad doesn’t like the person you’re dating or you’re friends don’t like them either. If this is happening then you probably need to check yourself before you wreck your self. We need more family and friends who have been there and that have screwed up to help us out. The more we can date and enjoy each other in the company of others, dating will change and marriages will change to.
What would it look like for Christians to date and be completely countercultural about it? What if the way we dated and pursued marriage was so different that the trend would be couples who are succeeding and pursing God in the process? I know that the above is not impossible.
We are all in this together! Single, dating, engaged, married, divorced; we all have something to bring to the table and share together. Sure, everyone has issues and hurts but let’s try to not do it alone let’s try to live in community with others and be part of the growth of others.
Maybe after reading the series you are still wondering where to go next?
I could give you 5 steps to being irresistible to the opposite sex,
I could tell you the way to dress.
I could give you a list of books to read.
I could tell you that all thing work out with God.
Well….I’m not going to tell you any of that, I’m going to say… pray.
If you are single, pray that God would show you who you are! Pray that you would be ok with who He has made you to be and the place He has you in life right now. Pray that God would make you into the right person for someone else.
If you are dating, pray that your relationship is holy and leads both of you closer to God. Pray that you would not only serve each other, but find a spot to serve others together.
If you’re engaged, pray that God would surround you with the right people to encourage you and pour into you as you prepare for marriage. Pray that what you are walking into is right and is what God wants for you.
After praying have a discussion with your friends, life group, or whomever. This series wasn’t intended for me to share my thoughts on dating; although I did. The purpose was to have a dialogue on dating. As the church, we need to be open and honest about issues and talk openly about what we can do about it.
If the purpose of marriage is oneness then maybe we could say the purpose of dating is togetherness.
I think it would be unfair to leave this series without a section of questions. If you have a question that you would like to me write about, leave it below and I will do my best to answer it on part two of this weeks postings .
