Dating Guidelines

jfrog · #1 01-09-2012, 04:54 PM

I was going through some of my old stuff and happened across this paper:

Quote:

Dating Guidelines for our Church

Rules of Engagement

In an endeavor to promote the right dating practices for our youth, the following guidelines have been set forth so that the youth and their parents will know the proper guidelines for dating and the consequences for improper dating.

I want every parent to know that I truly respect their authority as parents. These rules are not written to undermine your authority, but to strengthen that authority. These are minimum requirements and you may wish to go beyond them, but that will be your decision. I speak only concerning the Church. These minimum requirements will not be shortened.

We all must realize that even the best and strongest of our youth, when put in bad situations, can find themselves falling into temptation. Temptation allowerd to occur over and over again can produce sin. So we must endeavor to keep our youth active in the right activitgies and in as much group settings as possible. Parents, you will be called upon to act as chaperones, an be postive influcences upon our youth. We need to understand that dating is alright with God, if it's Godly Daying. They all should have the opportunity to get to know one another.

The first issue we will discuss is where to find that person.
The word of God is very clear that the person you date must come from the faith.

2nd Corinthians 614 Declares, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers, for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?"

Verse 15, "And what concord or agreement hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believerth with an infidel?"

I know that in life we meet nice people and they may really be gentlemen or really nice young ladies, but goodness isn't enough. Parents, you might trust them to date your son or daughter but one must realize that you are looking for more than that. You might trust them not to take advantage of your child physically, but what about spiritually? Will they draw them away from the faith?

It's something to think about---your child ending up lost because you let them date a good moral person.

1. No youth will be permitted to date anyone outside of the faith. I believe God speaking very clear on this.

That is the only page I had and I cannot remember anything about the rest of it. Thoughts opinions?

Jay · #2 01-09-2012, 07:50 PM

I think that it is a very good item considering that there is only one page. I can say that I believe in what was posted there. I have seen only a very few relationships between saved and unsaved produce anything more than the most absolute misery. On occasion that relationship will win the unsaved spouse, but most often the saved spouse backslides and may take years to get right with God.

houston · #3 01-09-2012, 08:00 PM

great, but it is the job of the parents to set the minimum guidelines, not the job of the pastor.

KeptByTheWord · #4 01-09-2012, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by houston

great, but it is the job of the parents to set the minimum guidelines, not the job of the pastor.

So very true. Fathers need to be given back the respect of their homes. So many pastors take it upon themselves to be leaders of the family where that was never God's intention. It is God-Christ-man-woman. NOT God-Christ-pastor-man/woman.

Pastors need to teach that men should be the true leaders in their homes, prayerfully leading the family towards Christ, and setting boundaries for their home. That is the way God set things up.

So, my point is... yes, there needs to be dating guidelines, and the leader of the home - the father (or mother should there be no father), should be the one setting up, enforcing, and teaching these boundaries. Not a pastor.

RandyWayne · #5 01-09-2012, 08:08 PM

And does dating "not outside the faith" include not dating outside the immediate church? In my case, it was strongly encouraged to date within the 4 walls. Of course it only takes one viewing of the film Deliverance to see what comes of that, or even National Lampoons Vacation, "Clark, she can't talk since she doesn't have a tongue.".

trialedbyfire · #6 01-10-2012, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

And does dating "not outside the faith" include not dating outside the immediate church? In my case, it was strongly encouraged to date within the 4 walls. Of course it only takes one viewing of the film Deliverance to see what comes of that, or even National Lampoons Vacation, "Clark, she can't talk since she doesn't have a tongue.".

I've never been in a church where we were told to date in the immediate church setting. Saved, was the general standard.

RandyWayne · #7 01-10-2012, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trialedbyfire

I've never been in a church where we were told to date in the immediate church setting. Saved, was the general standard.

It was all about attendance. Men were allowed and even encouraged to date outside the four walls because it was assumed if they married they would bring a wife into the congregation, but women, not so much.

RandyWayne · #8 01-09-2012, 08:39 PM

I thank God daily I do not have a daughter. IF I did, and heaven forbid she was attractive, I would be the worlds worst father making her wear a snowmobile suite to hide any sign of female curves. I would never let her on a date unless I personally accompanied them, brandishing a 9mm weapon along the way. Once they were married ANY sign of abuse on his part toward her would be met with total, lethal, and final justice.

God, in His infinite wisdom, did not give me a daughter.

Titus2woman · #9 01-09-2012, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

I thank God daily I do not have a daughter. IF I did, and heaven forbid she was attractive, I would be the worlds worst father making her wear a snowmobile suite to hide any sigh of female curves. I would never let her on a date unless I personally accompanied them, brandishing a 9mm weapon along the way. Once they were married ANY sign of abuse on his part toward her would be met with total, lethal, and final justice.

God, in His infinite wisdom, did not give me a daughter.

These are the very reasons my husband believes God gave us five sons and no daughters.... and so far only grandsons too.