Dating cirriculum

bobthecockroach · 10-30-2003, 07:38 PM

Week #4 Discussion Topics/Guideline
1 - Introduce by pointing out that we now have a list of reasons why people date and list of reasons why not to date
2 - Read from the lists
3 - Discuss how friendship solves for false pretenses, intimacy before commitment, break ups, and any other problems brought up that friendship can solve for
4 - Discuss how the problem of finding fulfillment in people can only be solved by finding fulfillment in God
5 - Ask the question (or let someone else ask it) “If we're not gonna date, how will we find someone to marry?”

1 - Introduce by pointing out that we now have a list of a reasons why people date and a list of reasons not to date
On the first week we discussed some reasons why people date and then last week(s) we discussed some reasons for not dating. Let's re-read some of those reasons.

2 - Read from the lists
*Read from the lists*
So, if we've got these problems with dating, what do we do about it?

3 - Discuss how friendship solves for false pretenses, intimacy before commitment, break ups, and any other problems brought up that friendship can solve for
What about just staying friends? You don't pretend to be something you're not for your friends, do you? You don't have to try to impress them, they're just your friends. And what about intimacy before commitment? That's not a problem with friendship. I don't think I've ever met anyone who wants to be intimate with all their friends. If you keep your relationships on a friendly level you don't have to worry about them going farther than you want them to go. How 'bout break ups? Well, sometimes friendships do go bad but you don't usually break up in friendships. With dating, it always ends with breaking up or getting married. With friendship, it can remain friendship forever. There's no pressure to take it farther than it should go.
*Continuing discussing until ready to move on*

4 - Discuss how the problem of finding fulfillment in people can only be solved by finding fulfillment in God
We were designed by God to desire fulfillment but that fulfillment can never come from other people. Only God can fill us. He designed us to be filled by Him. Being filled by Him isn't just being saved though. It's learning and applying the fact that He is all we ever need. Our love for God needs to be greater than our love for any person.

5 - Ask the question (or let someone else ask it) “If we're not gonna date, how will we find someone to marry?”
Well, that's what we're gonna be talking about next week, so come back!
*Spend remaining time discussing friendship*

Shakespeare · 10-30-2003, 07:58 PM

very good Mr. Bob. I want to be in on this when it gets discussed, lol. Ya might want to add also to be cautious in co-ed friendships, just my thought of the momment.

bobthecockroach · 10-30-2003, 08:06 PM

Getting there in week 6, I think.

Shakespeare · 10-30-2003, 09:05 PM

oh great! awesomeness...

twinkle · 11-08-2003, 06:42 PM

anything new, yet???

bobthecockroach · 12-21-2003, 09:37 PM

Actually I think I'm gonna completely redo it, lol. *sigh*

Shakespeare · 12-21-2003, 10:10 PM

why are you redoing it?

I thought it was great

bobthecockroach · 12-22-2003, 09:33 AM

I don't want to be as anti-dating as those were and I want to cover friendship even better.

Nate · 12-22-2003, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobthecockroach

Week #4 Discussion Topics/Guideline
...

5 - Ask the question (or let someone else ask it) “If we're not gonna date, how will we find someone to marry?”

Haha... do you really think that the inevitable question won't be asked until the fourth week?

Marcos will probably ask it before you even start with the first week's discussion.

In His love,
Nate

**Ted Logan** · 12-22-2003, 11:44 AM

Bob, there's a new book out there called Dateable. I saw it in Lifeway today. Of course, the fact that Lifeway carries it means that you should look it over intimately to find out whether it's theologically sound.

They don't even seem to carry C.S. Lewis anymore.