Dating:

God's Normal Plan:
Gen. 2:20-25 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. (21) And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; (22) And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. (23) And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. (24) Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (25) And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
1 Corinthians 7:1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

The Big Picture:
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

Can a person be unpure and still be a virgin?

What are some of the Dangers in Dating?

1. Dating leads to intimacy, but not necessarily commitment.
2. It tends to skip the "friendship" stage of a relationship.
3. Dating often mistakes a physical relationship for love.
4. It sometimes isolates a couple from others.
5. In Many cases dating distracts young adults from their primary responsiblity of preparing for the future.
6. Dating can cause discontentment with God's gift of singleness.
7. Dating can set the ground work in mind for divorce.

What attitudes could help avoid these dangers?
Ephesians 4:22-24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; (24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

1. Look at every relationship as an opportuntity to show the love of Christ
   1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (2) And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. (3) And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. (4) Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, (5) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; (6) Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; (7) Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. (8) Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. (9) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. (10) But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. (11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (12) For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (13) And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
   Romans 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
   
   
2. Use the unmarried years as a gift from God to serve Him
   1 Corinthians 7:32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
   
   
3. Remember intimacy is a reward of Commitment
   Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
   Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
   Genesis 24:67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.
   
   
4. We can not "own" somone outside of Marriage ("MY girlfriend/boyfriend")
   1 Corinthians 7:4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
   
   
5. Avoid all situations that could compromise your purity
   1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
   
   

Some More Pointers In the Dating Game

1. Put the world's ideas on dating in the "all things" category of Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
   Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
   Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
   
   
2. Set your standards high and never lower them for anyone!
   
   
3. Make the Purity of others a priority
   Guys: 1 Timothy 5:2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
   Girls: Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
   
   
4. Establish your boundaries now
   Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
   
   
5. Keep open communication with your parents and others
   Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
   
   
6. Keep a check on what is influencing you (Fashion, TV, Movies, Music)
   Colossians 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (2) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
   
   
7. Always look to see how the other person relates to:
   
   • God-What is his or her relationship with the Lord like?
   • Others-Their parents, Authorities, friends, etc;
   • Themselves-are they self-disciplined, motivated, etc;
   
   
8. Continue to develop your relationship with the Lord in Prayer and reading His Word.
   Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
   Psalms 37:3-5 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. (4) Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (5) Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
   
   

Things to Consider from Genesis 24

This chapter is a beautiful type of how God the Father is providing a bride for His Son. But there is also many applications that can be made to what we should be looking for in a "help fit" for life. Consider the following from Genesis 24.

1. Pray for Guidance as to the one God has for you Genesis 24:12-14 And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham. (13) Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: (14) And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.
   
   
2. Wait for the Lord to Lead Genesis 24:21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.
   
   
3. Do not go to the "Daughters of the Canaanites" unsaved people under a curse Genesis 24:3 And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:
   
   
4. Go to the "Household of Faith," preferably from the assembly, definitely "in the Lord" Genesis 24:4 But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.
   
   
5. A virgin is what God intends for both genders Genesis 24:16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.
   
   
6. Found in a place of blessing - by the well Genesis 24:15-16 And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder. (16) And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.
   
   
7. Has time each day for getting water "of the Word" Genesis 24:11 And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.
   Genesis 24:15 And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.
   
   
8. Familiar with the "Water of the Word" and willing to use it for the good of others Genesis 24:18-20 And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink. (19) And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking. (20) And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.
   
   
9. Has a testimony of how the Lord is working in their lives Genesis 24:28 And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother's house these things.
   
   
10. Willing to bow to the Word Genesis 24:58 And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.
    
    
11. Willing to be guided by the Spirit Genesis 24:61 And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.
    
    
12. Shows willingness to submit to God's order Genesis 24:65 For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.
    
    
13. Industrious, generous, "Given to Hospitality" Genesis 24:25 She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.
    
    
14. Has the blessing of the family on the relationship Genesis 24:60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.
    
    
15. May each of us be able to say, "I being in the way of the Lord led me" Genesis 24:27 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.