The words “courtship” or “dating” do not appear anywhere in scripture. However, the Bible does provide us with some very important principles we should follow as Christians. We first need to understand that as believers our relationships in dating will look different from the world’s view of dating. Things like the Bible share the importance of finding out if the person you are in relationship with is a believer in Jesus Christ and if you both share the same desire to model your lives after Jesus. Ultimately the main goal for dating as a Christian is focused on finding the one person you will spend the rest of your life with.
The Word of God also reminds us that it is vital that we love the Lord above all else. Believing that another person is your “everything” or the most important thing is contrary to scripture. God has also reserved sex for marriage. This is very different then the view of the world but have sex out side of marriage is a sin. If you want to have a secure foundation for your marriage following God’s Biblical principles is the way.
SCRIPTURES
John 3:3-8 - "Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
Philippians 2:5 - "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:"
1 Corinthians 6:9 - "Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men"
1 Corinthians 6:13 - "You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body."
2 Corinthians 6:14-15 - "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?"
2 Timothy 2:22 - "Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."