Are you ready to date?

Tonight i ended a 3 part series on dating. This one dealt with being ready to date. Here is my outline in raw form.

Are you ready to date??

This is a hugely important question. The reason is because dating is the first step in our society before engagement and marriage. Just as important as a soldier needs to be trained before battle, teens need to be prepared mentally and spiritually before dating. Most teens are not prepared to date but do so anyway, which may be why over 50% of all marriages end in divorce and 40% of all births are to unwed mothers, and at some point 40% of all children are living in a cohabitating home.

3 questions to determine if you are ready to date.

1. Do you have your test ready?
Dating is a test. What questions do you need answered? Some will be answered before the date, others can be answered on the date.
1.) are they saved?
2.) Are they committed to their church?
3.) Are they growing spiritually?
4.) Are they spiritually attractive?
5.) Their Relationship—Doctrine-- Lifestyle???
6.) How do they talk about their parents? Are they under authority or rebellious?
7.) Are they committed to date “pure”.

2.Do you pass your own test?
1.) are you saved?
2.)are you committed to church?
3.)are you growing in your faith?
4.)How’s your Relationship--Doctrine--Lifestyle?
5.)are you honoring parents? Or rebellious? Have they OK’d you to date?... OK’d the one you will date? They are your God given protection and accountability.
6.) Are you committed to date “pure”.?

3.How are you and Jesus Doing?
You are not ready for a relationship that affects you everyday if you are not yet affected by Jesus every day. Get your Jesus relationship right first before you begin looking for another relationship.

Set up your own Guidelines to avoid temptation while dating.
Write your goals and rules down and put them in your sock drawer or dresser or bathroom mirror.

Here are some suggestions.

10 Rules to date by.
1.Parents are informed and involved. (protection and accountability)
2. only date growing Christians
3. It’s always a test, if they fail…. I bail.
4. Is she modest?
5. Is he a one woman man?
6. We are never home alone. If parents leave so do I.
7. No beds, couches, or unplanned stops.
8. Curfew… If my parents don’t set one I will.
9. Meet and be honest with a Godly friend after every date.
10 Never get too wrapped up to break up.