Dating wasn’t always so complicated.
When it was time for Isaac’s first date, his father, Abraham, sent his chief servant to the old country to fh1d the right girl. The servant prayed about his responsibilities, found Rebekah, brought her back to Isaac, and the two of them lived happily ever after (see Genesis 24).
When Samson found the girl of his dreams he simply said to his.” parents, “Go get her for me!” They did, and… well, that’s another story (see Judges 14).
Today it seems that dating is on teenagers’ mind from the time he or she enters junior high until the day of their wedding. (Then, of course, it’s conventional wisdom that all dating stops! Husbands and wives don’t really date, do they?)
So if you want to get a good discussion started, bring up the subject of dating. Here are a few questions to help focus the topic. Get lots of input from the members of your youth group I vote on the best answers, fill in the blanks and produce your own guidebook to the mystical, mystifying world of dating.
What’s the Purpose of Dating?
- To find the type of person you’ll eventually want to marry.
- To become the type of person someone else will eventually want to marry.
What’s Proper Dating Etiquette?
- Make the other person comfortable. Be courteous.
- Keep the conversations going. Talk about their interests.
What Should You Do (or Not Do) on a First Date?
- Don’t overdo it. If a guy shows up at his date’s house in a limo, with two dozen red roses and two front row seats to the hottest ticket in town, he’s overdoing it. Start slowly.
- Stay in a group. The most difficult thing on a first date tends to be conversing. The more people talking, the better.
From: ABZ’s of Adventist Youth Ministry
Permission to copy for use in the local congregation or group.
