God has a plan for every part of your life. He has a plan for your career, your church life, your community service, your financial life, your social calendar, and ultimately, your spouse and then your family.
Jeremiah 29:11-13, Psalm 37:3-4, Galatians 2:20

If we believe God really does have a plan for your life, then to “date” in a way that doesn’t honor Him just doesn’t make sense. So, how do we date in a way that honors God?

Make a list of your “non-negotiables” based on scripture

• Christian – 2 Corinthians 6:14
• Growing in their faith – Philippians 3:12-14
• Kind – Ephesians 4:32
• Compassionate – Luke 10:30-35
• Servant – John 13:1-9
• Trustworthy – Proverbs 6:16-19
• No pressure to do physical stuff – 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

Narrow your pool of potential dates to those who agree with your “non-negotialbles”

• Watch people in various situations
• Talk to people who know them to find out if they’re for real
• Get to know someone before agreeing to go out with them – group settings are the best place to see them for who they really are, and to take the pressure off of you

Make God the center of your relationship

• Pray together – Philippians 4:6, Colossians 4:2
• Study together – not only together, but make God’s Word a vital part of your relationship – 2 Timothy 2:15
• Guard yourself against being alone in compromising situations – Galatians 6:1
• Guard what you watch and hear together – movies, concerts, TV shows, comedy routines, etc – Philippians 4:8
• Guard against allowing friends to soften your convictions – 1 Corinthians 16:13

Enjoy the relationship

• Don’t stress
• Don’t put unrealistic expectations on the other person or yourself – financially, socially, looks, working out, being something your not
• Encourage the other person more than you speak negatively to them 10 to 1
• Be creative planning dates – keep things simple at first – find mutual places of interest or activities of mutual interest

If the relationship doesn’t work out, then that person should ALWAYS say that they are better for having known you.

I welcome any thoughts on this stuff, and I’ll be glad to share them with the group.

Pastor Warren