Relationships

TEXT: 1 Corinthians 3:15-20; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Ephesians 5:3-5

Relationships with those of the opposite sex can only be blessed by God if the parties involved stay within the guidelines of God’s Word. The outcome of such a relationship may be marriage. In the beginning God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone,” and He created Eve to be the companion of Adam. If it is ultimately a marriage blessed by God that we wish, the steps we take to get that mate must also be blessed by God and in accordance with His will. With this in mind, it would be well to lay out a formula that would lead us from a place of unattachment to a union God can bless.

QUESTIONS

1. What is implied by the words “walk together” in Amos 3:3?
2. What is the meaning or implication of the word yoked in 2 Corinthians 6:14? In what way is this verse in harmony with the Scripture in Amos?
3. What should be the criterion used for making a decision as to whom we will date?
4. In Ephesians 4:1, Paul exhorts us to “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.” Tell briefly what you think that means.
5. To guard against getting out of God’s will in a dating relationship, what is the man’s responsibility? What is the woman’s?
6. What happens to the relationship of a dating couple when they each draw closer to the Lord?
7. In the context of a dating couple, what might it mean to “defile the temple of God”? See 1 Corinthians 3:16-17.
8. In light of the above Scripture, what allowance is given for the current trend toward having a sexual relationship outside of marriage?
9. Dangerous stress is added to a relationship if self-love or self-interest enters in, and one presses for an immediate marriage. If we are within God’s will in the development of a relationship, occasionally God may signal, “Wait.” What might be some of the indicators that point to the fact that postponing a marriage would be wise?
10. What is the key requirement for the development of any relationship as given in Matthew 6:33?