Series: This Is Us
June 14, 2020 | Dr. Wes George
Passage: Proverbs 3:5-6
Biblical dating launches from a heart for God.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart. . .
Deuteronomy 6:5 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. ; Matthew 22:36-38
Loving God first captures our heart.
Loving God first renews our mind. Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is,
Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Biblical dating is with a likeminded Christ-follower.
A likeminded Christ-follower is a believer. 2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness.
The Bible does not advocate missionary dating.
We love all people even our enemies, but we do not even do business partnership with lost people. So we certainly do not date or marry unbelievers.
A likeminded Christ-follower is a devoted disciple. Matthew 6:33
Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you.
Run as hard and fast as you can after Jesus, then look around and see who’s beside you.
You should not missionary date, nor have to carry your fiancé spiritually in the relationship.
Biblical dating involves family and biblical community.
Proverbs 15:22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.
Hang out in groups of people and get to know a person in a group first. Observe how they act around others. Are they kind and nice?
Let the community of faith help to encourage toward healthiness.
Infatuation can blind us. You need friends who are not infatuated, who can tell you the truth.
Double date with great couples.
Family and biblical community love me.
Family and biblical community know me.
Family and biblical community will stand with me.
Biblical dating confirms of the will of God.
Proverbs 3: 5b-6. . . And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
7 Principles of Dating
Date prayerfully.
Abraham talking to his servant. How will I know? You will know.
Ruth wasn’t worried about Boaz.
Prov. 3:5-6
Initiate with clarity.
Eliminate ambiguity.
Most women prefer men to initiate. Ruth initiating with Boaz.
Some are too serious too fast.
Some are not serious enough after a long time.
Don’t be clingy and desperate.
I trust God with my life and with your life.
Give permission to continue the relationship or to stop the relationship.
People want to know where they stand. Honesty. Eliminate the uncertainty.
Date with autonomy.
Christians love everyone.
Christians do not yoke with unbelievers.
Evaluating the process not a destination.
Benefits and responsibilities are not complete.
Don’t act like you are married when you are not.
Date with purity.
Sex is such an intense human experience that it throws off the evaluating of whether I even like this person.
Build a friendship, relationship, that leads to affection that consummates in sex within marriage. When sex precedes relationship it confuses the relationship. When sex is a part of a dating relationship, it makes the break up more difficult to even devasting.
Date graciously.
Don’t like courtship but do like courtesy.
You are dating the King’s daughter.
Date with community.
Pair off too quickly and isolate too soon.
Proverbs 11:
Double date with great couples.
Let the community of faith help to encourage toward healthiness.
Infactuation can blind us. You need friends who are not infactuated, who can tell you the truth.
Date patiently.
“If single Christians don’t develop a deeply fulfilling love relationship with Jesus, then they will put too much pressure on their dream of marriage.”
-TIM KELLER
Series Information
