The Purpose Driven Date

- singles dating with their first love

After listening to your program about singles, singles again (due to divorce) and those widowed, I began to ponder the ideal dating situation. Being evangelical minded, I believe singles may have a remarkable opportunity to impact their world for time-and-eternity if they have a "Purpose" for dating.

The Purpose Driven date:

• Introduces individuals to Christ
• Finds an individual to spend the rest of your earthly life with

Here are 3 steps that I believe could revolutionize dating for Christian singles:

Step 1: Get to know Him (the person of Jesus Christ) - Steps 1&2 are the most important. The primary goal here, for singles, is to become healthy before they enter the dating scene. Having a genuine and dynamic personal relationship with Jesus Christ is essential in dating. Getting to really know Jesus, His principles, compassion and selfless ministry will enable singles to be the person others want to date. Singles that strive to be like Christ become quite attractive, as He is perfect. When one is secure in Christ, he/she is ready to enter the dating world because Christ-like boundaries have been set.
- find a Bible teaching well balanced local church with small groups that encourage and hold singles accountable.

Step 2: Learn to share your faith effectively

• learn ways to share your faith. Become determined to fulfill the great commission by sharing the gospel with those you date.
• make a pre-decision to share your faith
• make a pre-decision not to date a confessed believer without seeing evidence of faith
• make a pre-decision not to date an unbeliever for an extended period without sharing your faith
• make a pre-decision not to have sex outside the marriage relationship

Step 3: Entering dating scene with boundaries

• initially date several individuals -one at a time:)
• join a reputable dating service
• if several dates do not work out (remember the purpose)

Conclusion:

Again, I believe singles have a unique opportunity to honor God and find that lifelong partner in the process. The sharing of their faith, whenever possible, becomes the primary purpose for dating and puts the emphasis on other’s well being which pleases God. This obedience in a relationship with our first love will lead to the blessing of relationships with partners paired by God.

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