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Relationships are complicated and have drastically changed since our grandparents’ generation. In the intimidating world of dating, remember to remain open to getting to know people instead of building up walls around your heart.
Dating in Today’s World Can Be Scary
In our grandparents’ generation, everyone was kind of dating everyone. They truly got to know people, and then would “go steady” with the person who they really found a connection with. Today, Christians have placed so many rules and regulations on dating and meeting new people that getting to know someone can be more terrifying than marriage. Our rules come from a place of fear. The fear of making mistakes and causing harm pushed us to put restrictions on dating. Our rules, while made in an effort to protect ourselves, are not always best for us.
We Can Overcome Our Fears of Dating
While protecting yourself is not a bad thing, don’t feel like you need to build up all these walls around your heart in order to remain safe. As humans, we desire to get to know others and have others get through to us on deep levels. This is extremely hard to do if we refuse to go on a first date with someone unless we are positive that we could see ourselves marrying them! Trust God with your life. Give all of your relationships and friendships to him! Allow yourself to be vulnerable and open up to others. You have to get to know someone before you can decide if there is any connection!
In a world where dating seems too official or binding, stop worrying about things that are way too far into the future. Only God knows our path. Trust him with all your plans and relationships. Don’t be concerned with being sure that you could marry someone on the first date. Be open and allow yourself to connect with others deeply. This is how the deep relationships and friendships we desire are formed.
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- What is the most ridiculous “dating rule” you’ve ever heard?
- Why do you think there is so much fear surrounding dating these days?
- What are some of your personal boundaries? Why are these your boundaries?
- How can we strike a healthy balance between “guarding our hearts” and letting others get to know us?
- Discuss a time in which you struggled with finding the balance between protecting your heart and being too closed-off to others.
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
