Marriage is not the GoalMarriage is not the Goal

• Eccl. 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion

of the whole matter: marry well and enjoy life: for this is the whole duty of man.

Two Destructive ErrorsTwo Destructive Errors• 1. Life is meaningless without marriage

– “What’s wrong with you? You’re single!”– “Don’t worry, there’s someone out there”

• 2. You can only reach marriage by dating– Junior and High School Class on “Dating”– Concept not found in the Bible

• Date – couple spending time together with romantic interests and no other company

Purpose for DatingPurpose for Dating• Recreational

• Peer Prestige

• Social Interaction

• Required before Marriage

Problem With DatingProblem With Dating• Disposable

Relationships

Disposable RelationshipsDisposable Relationships

• Fast and Loose with emotions of others

• Develop habit of walking away from commitment

• Gen. 29:18 And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.

Problem With DatingProblem With Dating• Disposable

Relationships

• Decisions by Immature

Decisions without GodDecisions without God• Gen. 6:1-7 married daughters of men

• Judges 14:1-4 Samson wanted a Philistine– Culture involved parents making arrangements– Today parents only pay for the wedding

• Decisions made by a teen or pre-teen who is filled with Hollywood notions of romance.

• Emotions aroused in a person who is not old enough to marry for another 10 years!!!

Problem With DatingProblem With Dating• Disposable

Relationships

• Decisions by Immature

• Desires meet Opportunities

Opportunity for ImmoralityOpportunity for Immorality• Gen. 39:11-12 Joseph was a slave who

was trapped alone with his master’s wife– Innocent, but no one to verify the truth– Potential for fornication was available

• Very real danger of single dating– Girls dress as if they are advertising – Boys do not need much persuading– Most parents feel there are no alternatives

Purpose of CourtshipPurpose of Courtship• Protect from Immorality while

preparing to marry

• Parental Involvement– not pre-arranged marriage– set age, time, place…– Isaac Gen. 24– Esau Gen. 26:34-35, 27:46,

28:6-9

• Communicate to learn spiritual compatibility

Purpose of CourtshipPurpose of Courtship• Preparing yourself for

God’s purpose

• Ruth 2:1-12 gleaning to aid mother-in-law

• Followed Naomi’s advice 3:1-4

• Boaz sought right before self 3:12

Problem With CourtshipProblem With Courtship• Liberated children and

permissive parents

• Misunderstood

• Socially Ingrained:– Movies– Music– Advertising

Purpose for MarriagePurpose for Marriage• Companionship

Gen. 2:18

• Lawful fulfillment of sexual desires– I Cor. 7:2, Heb. 13:4

• To bring children into the world

• To fear God and obtain heaven Eccl. 12:13