does anyone here practice courtship?

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hhhlga89

Senior Member
Apr 23, 2012
174
0
16
#1
I mean the whole deal: your dad (or authority)figure choosing/accepting the guy/girl; never being alone without a chaperone; no kissing/intimate touching?

Its thoroughly biblical and I want to try it...just haven't met anyone who has really put it into practice ..
 
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jimmydiggs

Guest
#2
Haven't tried it, but if marriage is in the future I plan to use courtship practices. I really like the videos that Paul Washer has available on the matter.
 

hhhlga89

Senior Member
Apr 23, 2012
174
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#3
Yeah I enjoyed it too. You don't know if you want to get married yet jimmy?

You actually just reminded me of a really good sermon series on courtship:

Brian Schwertley Sermons - SermonAudio.com

All the sermons this guys sermons are amazing.
 
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jimmydiggs

Guest
#4
Yeah I enjoyed it too. You don't know if you want to get married yet jimmy?
I would prefer not to, but ultimately it is not my choice.

There are a lot of things about society in general, and the future that make me very cautious.

Additionally, I don't think any woman should have to put up with me on a daily basis. :(

I have a feeling it'll probably happen though. Nothing ever seems to go the way I would prefer.
 

hhhlga89

Senior Member
Apr 23, 2012
174
0
16
#5
I would prefer not to, but ultimately it is not my choice.

There are a lot of things about society in general, and the future that make me very cautious.

Additionally, I don't think any woman should have to put up with me on a daily basis. :(

I have a feeling it'll probably happen though. Nothing ever seems to go the way I would prefer.
Wow, we must be worlds apart when it comes to this topic. I absolutely have to get married or i'll die. ( I know I sound idoltrous. I only feel that way). I do however feel the same way that you do about being cautious about the future, but we come to different conclusions. I am very reluctant about having children knowing they will get persecuted. I think we can pretty much conclude that there will be persecution in the next generation. But having a godly family is my dream. Don't worry though, if you get married that woman wouldn't mind dealing with your most annoying peculiarities. You must think your somewhat of a stud "I have a feeling it'll probably happen" lol jk, I'm sure your a calvinist.
 
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alaskachicken

Guest
#6
I do the courtship "thing" lol it's the choosen way of "dating" in my church and in my family. there is even a six inch rule in my church.
 

hhhlga89

Senior Member
Apr 23, 2012
174
0
16
#7
I do the courtship "thing" lol it's the choosen way of "dating" in my church and in my family. there is even a six inch rule in my church.
O wow, really? What denomination are you?
 
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alaskachicken

Guest
#8
I'm a Baptist.
 

Nautilus

Senior Member
Jun 29, 2012
6,488
53
48
#9
Doesnt sound like any baptist church Ive been too, but what is a six inch rule?
 

shrimp

Senior Member
Aug 28, 2011
1,188
39
48
#10
My dad introduced me to my husband, but he had to make it seem like it was just because i needed a guy friend my age (which i had been complaining about). So because my new friend was 5000 miles away we facebooked. Then his dad and my dad hooked me up with a job that was opening up in the area, fully knowing that i desperately needed a job. So, when i met him we were friends and went down to the bay and picked up shells and let the dogs play in the water. After a while he asked me to be his girlfriend and i said yes. So, our outings turned into dates. We never had to be supervised, we were adults and knew the consequences of sex, so we didn't do anything like that.
After a month he got a ring and September 25 he took me out berry picking and bird hunting and he proposed. Two days later, we set a date and right after deciding i got pregnant.
Which is why i support having a chaperon and ladies should make sure that you're not puting yourselves in a place of self weakness and don't ever make it so that you could cause someone else weakness.

We've been happily married since November 5, 2012 <3
 
Aug 8, 2010
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#11
No. My parents don't have to live with the man for the rest of my life, I do, I chose him, I accepted the proposal and let my parents know the happy news.
 

hhhlga89

Senior Member
Apr 23, 2012
174
0
16
#12
Shrimp I see you didn't do what's normal today and wait till your 30..I wish I got married younger (like 20) but do you feel lke it was the right choice? I mean, do you feel like you rushed when it comes to your age and the short period of time you took to know the guy? Its easy to love someone for a few months, not to make you feel down or doubt.
 

hhhlga89

Senior Member
Apr 23, 2012
174
0
16
#13
No. My parents don't have to live with the man for the rest of my life, I do, I chose him, I accepted the proposal and let my parents know the happy news.
I think you may be misunderstanding the reason why they get involved, its more for you and less for them (ideally). You're parents know you in a very intimate way, they would know what guy would end up pissing you off after a while..do you agree? Don't you feel like you're rejecting their wisdom in the matter? I'm sure they don't want you getting divorced or living with a jerk for the rest of your life.
 
Aug 8, 2010
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#14
I think you may be misunderstanding the reason why they get involved, its more for you and less for them (ideally). You're parents know you in a very intimate way, they would know what guy would end up pissing you off after a while..do you agree? Don't you feel like you're rejecting their wisdom in the matter? I'm sure they don't want you getting divorced or living with a jerk for the rest of your life.
My mom doesn't know how not to piss off her own children, she wouldn't know who would work xD and she freely admits it, besides, a spouse is going upset you eventually, marriage and relationships are never always unicorns and honey.
My dad just wants his kids to be happy, dad chose mom and mom chose dad, not their 'rents, (papa didn't like mom anyway aha) they would find it awkward. As would I
 
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StephenH

Guest
#15
Not really courtship, but if I ever was in a relationship, I'd certainly want it to be biblical and slow. Almost courtship.
 
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Gods_Lady89

Guest
#16
I mean the whole deal: your dad (or authority)figure choosing/accepting the guy/girl; never being alone without a chaperone; no kissing/intimate touching?

Its thoroughly biblical and I want to try it...just haven't met anyone who has really put it into practice ..
I definitely think courtship is the way to go! Courtship not only helps saved couples stay pure and focused on God in their relationships, but they also give two people time to get to know each other (through fun dates). I have a sister who courted with her boyfriend for a year and half before they decided to get married. There wedding day was the first time they ever kissed. Is that so sweet? :) I think it's important that believers are able to respect each other on a brother/sister level before they even think of each other as husband/wife.


Awesome thread! God bless!
 

Nautilus

Senior Member
Jun 29, 2012
6,488
53
48
#17
I think you may be misunderstanding the reason why they get involved, its more for you and less for them (ideally). You're parents know you in a very intimate way, they would know what guy would end up pissing you off after a while..do you agree? Don't you feel like you're rejecting their wisdom in the matter? I'm sure they don't want you getting divorced or living with a jerk for the rest of your life.
Yeah its a very large fallacy that parents always know what their children would want. I know my parents wouldnt have the first clue of what I am looking for in a partner
 
Feb 18, 2013
1,294
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#18
I mean the whole deal: your dad (or authority)figure choosing/accepting the guy/girl; never being alone without a chaperone; no kissing/intimate touching?

Its thoroughly biblical and I want to try it...just haven't met anyone who has really put it into practice ..
I was going to start off by saying that Courtship is actually rather loosely defined these days, but then I see you included your own definition. :) Going off of that.. then what I do is either courtship, or it's very similar to courtship.

I've had a small number of suitors over the years, and if by first glance they seem to be good-hearted young men who serve the Lord, then I give them a chance and tell them that if they're still interested, they need to get my father's blessing and approval! (My thought that the very mention of this prerequisite would weed out the men from the boys. Note: it's very effective. hehe) Anyway, my dad takes some time to get to know them, and sort of acts as a "boyfriend filter" for me. :) No, he doesn't sit there with a shotgun to intimidate them, ha! He just has friendly but in-depth discussion with them just to see what their intentions are and and find out more about their character. So far only one young man made it through the "screening process" and we are now courting exclusively. We are alone together sometimes, but in appropriate contexts and only for limited times, and someone (usually my parents) is usually aware when and why and for how long we'll be alone together. Touching is limited to the type of touch that I'd be comfortable sharing with the men in my own family, which in my case is actually rather affectionate and cuddly but obviously in a completely non-sexual way. Our guideline for touch right now is "would it be awkward if we did this in front of our parents?". If not, then it's okay.

Allow me to clarify that I completely understand that the idea of allowing your parents to take part in your love life mortifies some people, and in some cases, for good reason! Not all parents would be successful at helping a young adult choose a future spouse, I get it. However, the idea to use courtship rather than the standard dating model was actually my idea, not my parents (but oh boy, they nearly leaped for joy when I suggested it, haha!). My parents, particularly my father, are my best friends. I have had healthy, joy-filled relationships with them my entire life, and they know me, my heart, and what I need in a future husband almost better than I even know myself. For this reason, I figured, who better to help me make one of the most important decisions of my life than them? On top of them just being awesome people, they are also very strongly rooted in their faith, and with their age comes a treasure trove of wisdom that they share with me.

For anyone who might be interested in trying courtship but seriously does NOT want their parents involved, I recommend finding an older married Christian couple that can help you on this exciting journey. Don't have good relationships with very many older married couples? Then start developing them! Church is an excellent first place to look. If you explain your intentions - that you're seeking Christian mentors to help you navigate the the journey to marriage, you may just find your "all-star team" that will help you reach your goal!

Best wishes, and God bless!
 
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jessica17

Guest
#19
My family and all the people in the 2 churches I have attended in my life time have practiced courtship. My dates are always chaperoned and I have only ever had light pecks. I'm not even allowed to kiss or do anything else with my fiance. We are chaperoned too. That will all stop when we are married of course and I become his wife.
 
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Jwmac

Guest
#20
I would love to pick who my sons and daughter marry but the need to figure that out on their own...All I can hope for is we raised them right