Dating…it’s more than likely gonna happen at some point for your kids. Why not equip them with tools as to how to do it well? Mark shares great practical and biblical conversations we can have with our kids on the subject of dating.

”Greet one another with a holy kiss.” 

2 Cor. 13:12

Let’s be honest… almost all of us have done dating poorly, and we’d all agree, none want to watch our kids, or anyone else we care about, do the same.  So let’s put our big boy pants on and start being the parent God has called us to be by passing on counsel and/or setting up guardrails regarding our teens dating. 

Below are a few practical, biblically based, tips of what to include and avoid in these conversations with teens regarding a dating relationship.

• Maintain BalanceInclude your friend group on dates so they can get to know who you’re dating (and vice versa) and speak into your relationship (related article) Choose to be active and engaging on dates (play a game, toss a ball in the park or serve someone) rather than defaulting to watching a movie/TV which is non-interactive and likely unedifying.
• Honor God – Abide (dwell/be/stay) in His Word, the Bible.  Jesus said in John 10:10, “I have come that you might have life and life abundantly” which means the scriptures instruct us towards healthy living. Keep following Jesus and encourage the person you’re dating to do so as well…attend church, youth group, talk about spiritual topics and thank God for the food when you are eating a meal together. Flee tempting situations.  Gal 5:16 says, “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh”. Hanging out with others is great accountability – limit or avoid being alone, together at night or in compromising proximity. If you can’t ensure that it is a “holy kiss” then don’t.  “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matt. 5:28

Enjoy the conversations, parents. What a privilege we have to write moral truth on the hearts of our children and then watch God bring forth fruit and growth!

Camper Corner

Talking to my parents about dating was unfortunately something I never thought I could benefit from.  I’m confident you don’t know everything about life, so don’t be a fool like I was.  Have fun with it, ask your mom and dad about embarrassing dates they had and then move towards their suggestions for successful relationships in light of God’s Word. Come on…do it!