Skip to main content

Marital Affairs: Dating/Courtship Series 1, Part 2 (Basic Facts About Courtship)

What are the basic facts about courtship?




Courtship: The Basics
who, what, when, where, how, and why

WHO participates in courtship?

  • An unmarried man
  • The unmarried woman to whom God has drawn his heart
  • Both sets of parents
Other Godly counselors and family members may be invited to offer insight as both families seek to discern the will of God.


WHAT is the goal of courtship?

A man and a woman enter into courtship to discern if God is leading them to marry one another as part of His plan to fulfill His purposes in their lives and in His Kingdom.


WHEN should a man initiate a courtship?

A courtship should commence when God has confirmed that this is the right time for the man to pursue marriage and that this woman could very likely be the helpmate God has been preparing to be his wife. God often confirms His direction through His Word, the witness of the Holy Spirit, and the approval of God-given authorities. (See Matthew 4:4, 2 Corinthians 13:1, John 14:26, and Proverbs 6:20–24.)


WHERE does the couple carry out the courtship?

Each courtship is unique. Sometimes the individuals live in the same town, but in other cases, they live thousands of miles apart. If possible, the couple should spend time with both families, especially participating in activities with their parents and siblings. Group activities with family and friends can provide safe environments in which the couple can get to know one another and observe how each responds in different situations. Depending on the individuals, e-mails, letters, phone calls, and having private time together in a setting that both avoids an appearance of evil and provides accountability also may be appropriate.


HOW should accountability be established during courtship?

Since each courtship is unique, parents whose children are entering a courtship relationship should communicate with one another to establish guidelines of accountability for the couple. In some cases, it may be appropriate to involve close friends and a pastor.


WHY is courtship the best choice as a means to find your marriage partner?

Courtship is a commitment to honor God as you seek a life partner and to protect both individuals in the process of confirming God’s will. It focuses on obedience to the principles of God’s Word and the fulfillment of His plan in the lives of the man and woman. (See Matthew 6:33.) It honors the authorities He has placed in your lives and provides the unique protection they can offer.
The process of courtship seeks to avoid many of the pitfalls that often exist in dating relationships, which are frequently focused on the selfish pleasures of gaining entertainment or sensual gratification. A man and woman engaged in dating often do not share a long-range goal for their relationship. The couple is often seeking momentary pleasure, and consequently they do not assume proper responsibility for their behavior toward one another. (See 2 Timothy 2:22.)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

LIFE MATTERS SERIES - A THANKFUL HEART S57E01

TOPIC: HABITS OF A THANKFUL HEART KEY BIBLE VERSE: Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice! Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. Philippians 4:4‭, ‬6‭-‬7 AMP The Habits of Highly Thankful People Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4) The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People has sold over 15 million copies. The book promises that if readers adopt these habits they will experience “powerful . . . personal change.” It’s nearly Thanksgiving in the United States. For some of us, the holidays are a favorite time of year. But for those who are experiencing...
Post a Comment
Read more

Marriage Series 7: What Does The Bible Say About Divorce and Remarriage?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE? First of all, no matter what view one takes on the issue of divorce, it is important to remember Malachi 2:16, “I hate divorce, says the LORD God of Israel.” According to the Bible, marriage is a lifetime commitment. “So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate” (Matthew 19:6). God realizes, though, that, since marriages involve two sinful human beings, divorces are going to occur. In the Old Testament, He laid down some laws in order to protect the rights of divorcées, especially women ( Deuteronomy 24:1–4).  Jesus pointed out that these laws were given because of the hardness of people’s hearts, not because such laws were God’s desire (Matthew 19:8). The controversy over whether divorce and remarriage is allowed according to the Bible revolves primarily around Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:32 and 19:9 . The phrase “ except for marital unfaithfulness” is the only thing in Script...
Post a Comment
Read more

Devotional: Life Matters Discuss, Series 7

 LIFE MATTERS DISCUSS, SERIES 7 TOPIC: WINNING THE WAR IN YOUR MIND 1 BIBLE REF: Philippians 4:8-9, Proverbs 23:7, Romans 12:1-2, 2Corithians 10:3-5 Our lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts. What we think shapes who we are. You might read that and think I’m being an overly dramatic preacher using hyperbole to get your attention. But this is no exaggeration. Our lives do follow the direction of our thoughts. The better we grasp that truth, the better equipped we’ll be to change the trajectory of our lives. But don’t take my word for it. Both the Bible and modern science provide evidence that this is true. So throughout this Bible Plan, we’ll unpack both Scripture and what we’ve learned from scientific research. Here’s a brief example of both: In Philippians 4:8–9, the apostle Paul writes, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is exce...
Post a Comment
Read more