DATING & RELATIONSHIP

A GLIMPSE OF GOD’S LOVE

Being in love gives us a glimpse of Jesus’ love

You know that feeling where you can’t be apart?

...talk until the wee hours of the morning

...not want to be the first to hang up the phone

This is the kind of relationshipthat God desires to have with us!

THE BIBLE IS A LOVE STORY

God creates us for someone to hang out with

We constantly are not listening to Him

We constantly kept running from Him

He remains faithful even though we aren’t

He comes to earth and dies for us

He did this so we can be one with Him

DATING IN PERSPECTIVE

Why do we date?

To find a spouse you can marry

Are you ready to be married now?

Dating is emotional, but think of this logically!

Then why date?

If you are interested in finding your soulmate.

THE CULTURE OF DATING

Our culture tells us that we have to date

There is peer pressure to date

There is media pressure to be sexual

There is gender pressure to get “involved”

Our culture wants you to conform to the norm

For as long as you can, be friends with everyone!

1 CORINTHIANS 7:8-9

Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am.

But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

– Paul

SONG OF SOLOMON 2:7

Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field:

Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.

WE NEED TO TALK...

The words that you are afraid to hear!

Upfront communication is key in a relationship

Sharing your intentions prevents conception

Physical relationships get in the way of knowing them

Physical relationships cloud your judgement

Physical relationships solidify your relation

You can easily be with the wrong person and not know it and then getting out will result in pain

TITUS 2:11-12

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly livesin this present age.

GUARD YOUR HEART

Search your heart. What motives do you have?

Then let God in to take a peek.

Dating is the messy process of finding your soulmate

95% of high school relationship don’t last

Take your time and find your soulmate

Strong marriage results in a successful life

You’ll have plenty of time to experience “oneness”.

PROVERBS 4:23

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

BUILDING UP COMMUNITY

This group is God’s church – a community

We are to build up our relationship with others

We are to build up everyone, not just our “date”

You must carry your relationship with your relationship to build up everyone by your example

You must be careful with your actions and words

Envy and jealousy can sneak in and destroy everything

1 TIMOTHY 4:12

Don't let anyone look downon you because you are young,

but set an example for the believers:

in speech, in life, in love, in faith,

in purity.

RECEIVING GOD'S BLESSING

Give me understanding so I may obey your precepts

God’s precepts are His word

God’s word creates and sustains life

God’s word gives us abundant life

God’s word gives us eternal life

We receive life when we trust in God’s commands

PSALM 119:34

Give me understanding,and I will keep your law

and obey it with all my heart

JEREMIAH 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,”declares the LORD,

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

JOHN 10:10B

I have come that they may have life,and have it to the full.

WHAT CAN I DO?

This infers that you want to get close to the “line”.

We should avoid the “line” - like in sports

You should focus on serving God and others!

But we want to give you guidelines

We will help you avoid temption and build community

WHAT CAN WE DO?

The purple rule has hereby been abolished

You may date one person

You may hold hands

You may put your arm around their shoulder briefly

You may hug each other briefly

HEBREWS 13:17

Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you

as men who must give an account.Obey them so that their work will be a joy,

not a burden,for that would be of no advantage to you.

CROSSING THE LINE

Things you shouldn’t do come from wisdom

Developed to maintain and build community

Developed to help you avoid temptation

Developed to limit miscommunication

Sex and intimacy are not equal

Sex is highly addictive, hard to escape

We must resist temptation and it will flee

CROSSING THE LINE

Kissing

Petting or massaging

Extended hugs

Cuddling

Touching bathing suit areas

Any sexual encounter

1 THESSALONIANS 4:3-5,7-8

It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God.

For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.

Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

IN CLOSING

Be authentic – at church and at home

Encourage you to be friends with everyone

If you have to date, don’t get too involved

Dating is a messy process so guard your heart

Remember other’s feelings and control

Stay away from the line