"What does the Bible say about dating / courting?"

[David Nyoni]

There are a lot of questions that the youth have today concerning the subject of dating/courtship. A lot of us are really confused with regards to the following questions:
1-"What is an appropriate level of intimacy before marriage?"
2- "Are we supposed to be actively looking for a spouse, or waiting for God to bring a spouse to us?"
3-"What should I be looking for in a wife?"
4-"What should I be looking for in a husband?"
5-"How young is too young to be in a romantic relationship?"
6-"When is the right time for marriage?"
7-"What is true friendship according to the Bible?"
8-"How will I know when I have found the perfect spouse for me?"
9-"What does the Bible say about flirting?"
10-"What does the Bible say about age differences in relationships?"
11-"How can I know if I am in love?"
12-"What is the difference between dating and courting?"
13-"How can I prepare myself for marriage?"
14-"What should be the Christian view of romance?"
15-"How can I overcome feelings of rejection?"
16-"Should Christians of different denominations date or marry?"
17-"If an unmarried couple has sex, are they married in God's eyes?"
18-"Is it wrong to have a relationship with a close relative?"
19-"If a couple gets pregnant before marriage do they have to get married?"
20-"Is there such a thing as soul mates? Does God have one specific person for you to marry?"
21-"Is it wrong for a couple to live together before marriage? Does God have one specific person for you to marry?"
22-"What does the Bible say about interracial marriage?"
23-"Is it right for a Christian to date or marry a non-Christian?"

[faith]

simply stated, i think if a union is meant to be, you will know and feel in your heart that your union has been blessed by God's own hand.

[David Nyoni]

How then can we distinguish between our own selfish feelings driven by lust and fleshly desires from God's true approval?

[faith]

it's simply an indescribable feeling, you know, there's no being on the fence about it. you'll know if you feel it in your heart. your heart should speak to you before your mind does. if you choose to ignore your heart then you will never find the answers you are looking for. the power of prayer is incredible and you will find all answers when you pray and put faith in the fact that God hears all prayers and answers them in which ever way He does. God bless.

[Bob B]

This 2 part video series will answer a lot of these Question for a Christian

[CORKLEXUS]

im new to to this site my cousin living in america sent me an invite to this site so i said to myseld id check it out.my name is simon but i use the name corklexus anyway im from ireland and i a roman catholic.i do believe in god and i regulary go to church.the questions at the top bewilder me.The bible does not dictate how we live our lives but merely guides us and hopefully makes us better people.The catholic church seems to change its polcies to suit itself though, i mean years ago the they forbid the use of contraception but now they said where homosexuality is concerned its "ok" to use.Ten of twenty years ago fasting was applied the night before recieving holy communion nowdays its non applicable .If the Lord had rules on courting and relationships and other matters surely he would have made sure they were outlined in the bible .I personally think that some of the questions expressed at the top are outdated and old opinions or views that people had years ago.the world is changing and people should adapt.the bible says "love thy neighbour"it doesnt say love him if hes/shes white ,black or indifferent,so why should iner-racial marriage matter?is there truely an answer though to any of those questions though.all you can do is wait and see!God will tell you when its your Time!

[Stew]

The most amazing guidance that our Lord has given us toward the subject of dating / courting is explained in Ruth. Please read the entire book of Ruth but pay particular attention to Chapter 3.

Ruth 3
Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor
1 One day Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, should I not try to find a home [a] for you, where you will be well provided for? 2 Is not Boaz, with whose servant girls you have been, a kinsman of ours? Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. 3 Wash and perfume yourself, and put on your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don't let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do."

5 "I will do whatever you say," Ruth answered. 6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do.

7 When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 In the middle of the night something startled the man, and he turned and discovered a woman lying at his feet.

9 "Who are you?" he asked.
"I am your servant Ruth," she said. "Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer."

10 "The LORD bless you, my daughter," he replied. "This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. 11 And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character. 12 Although it is true that I am near of kin, there is a kinsman-redeemer nearer than I. 13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to redeem, good; let him redeem. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it. Lie here until morning."

In this passage, we see the honorable approach taken by both Ruth and Boaz toward their relationship. Now Naomi her mother-in-law encouraged Ruth to be direct with Boaz and one might even assess that she was encouraging that Ruth to "turn on the charm" in the carefully planned meeting that was put together. But what is important to take away from this important bit of history is the respect and honor that God finds favor with as Ruth and Boaz make a commitment to each other. We can clearly see that this was a blessed relationship. Can we pray to our Lord and be patient enough for a blessed relationship such as this?

-Stew

[CORKLEXUS]

not all anwers are according to the bible or any other testament!

[Bob B]

Christians do find that the Bible is relevant! For us, life is not simply an empty journey, a trip to acquire more toys until eventually it's all over.
From the pages of the Bible we read about our role in God's design and kingdom, and how our lives are touched with purpose and meaning. And at the end there is more than a gloomy extinction at the conclusion of a hectic life, but a great reunion where I plan to meet Jesus face to face. You would be suprised how relevant the Bible is.
Check out AllaboutGod Bible Facts- Fun Truth

[Erik Benjamin O Corcorain]

Righty O I suppose I'd like to give my clear feeling on this issue!

I personally believe it is wrong to get over spiritual on this issue, even the idea of courting is really putting too much power into the hands of a "christian book" or person. Our focus must be on Christ and him alone, I believe the term to date is perfectly fine.

But here is my main point, as a true gentleman, a man must treat a lady on a date as a real lady. If he is paying attention to her needs and is honorable and respectful of her personal space than one is dating correctly in the eyes of God.

[Yoel charan]

No verses in the Bible refer to daiting. In the time of Bible , young man and women did not date.Their marriages were arranged by their parents. Nevertheless , the scripture gives many principles and promises that pertain to the practice of daiting.Read following BIBLE verses regarding this subject. 1 cor. 15:33, Prov. 11:3, 2 Cor. 6:14, Exodus 20: 12, Prov. 20:11, Eph.4:1, Matt 5:8, Eph. 5:2, 3 . Psalm 119:9, 11.

[CORKLEXUS]

i dont have time to sit down to watch tv let alone read a book ,besides i hear the stories from the bible every sunday!