|
MULTIMEDIA ARTICULOS Historia de la Iglesia Bíblica
|
BELOW ARE THE NOTES FROM ROB JOHNSON'S MESSAGE ON HOW TO CHOOSE A MATE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION, E-MAIL ROB AT: robjohnson@juno.com How to Choose a Mate The Process Our decisions are important, some more than others. Choosing a mate may be the second most important decision we make in our lives, next to believing in Christ. But not only our decisions are important; the way we make our decisions is just as important. We need to walk close to God daily, taking time with Him in prayer and thinking about His Word. Here are some specific thoughts about how to choose a mate. • Let God change you to be the person He wants you to be. Being the right person is more important than finding the right person. Marriage will never make you happy if you aren't happy before you marry. If you have problems in your life, for example with lots of anger or if you can't express your feelings, start to work on those problems now. • Begin with friendship. A good marriage starts with a good dating relationship, and a good dating relationship begins with a good friendship. Don't rush into steady dating, especially in high school. Have lots of friends. Learn how to be a good friend. Have lots of friends among both girls and guys. Remember, you don't need to have somebody to be somebody. • Observe the other person. Actions speak louder than words. What is that person like in his family? How does he/she act toward other Christians? What is he/she like in school or at work? • Talk with him/her. Talk about a lot of topics: your families, your hobbies, the Bible, God, news, your childhoods, your dreams, your fears. The more things you talk about, the better you will know that person. “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” What things does that person love to talk about? What things does that person avoid talking about? Why? • Ask advice from other mature Christians, and of your parents, whether they are Christians or not. Proverbs 15.22. Don't hide your dating relationship from your parents or your pastor. If most mature Christians favor your relationship, that is a very good sign. If almost all of them have serious concerns about your relationship, listen carefully to that advice, even if it is hard. • Time is one of the best tests of love. Infatuation ends. Don't hurry into marriage. Proverbs 19.2 says, “He who makes haste with his feet errs.” If love is genuine, it will last. • Pray, because God is more interested in you marrying well than you are. Proverbs18.22; 19.14; Genesis 24.7.
Key areas to consider These are listed in order of priority. Work on these areas in your own life. Check them out in a prospective mate. Of course, many other factors enter in, but these are some of the most important, especially the first three. • Salvation and seeking God Is this person clearly saved? How long has he been a Christian? Has he/she been baptized? Does he spend time meditating on God's Word and praying? Do they have close connections to other Christians in a local church? Only marry someone clearly saved, who seeks God with all their heart, and loves other believers. • Character Does he keep his commitments? Does he keep his word? Does she always tell the truth? Does he love according to the description Paul gives in 1 Corinthians 13? Does he love his parents and brothers and sisters this way? Does he love children? Does he love the elderly? Does she submit to authority, for example, her parents? Does he know how to ask for forgiveness? Can he admit when he is wrong? Does he forgive others who have wronged him? Marry someone humble, because God gives grace to the humble, but resists the proud. Does she have a servant's heart? (For example, like Rebekah– Genesis 24) Is he a hard worker? Don't marry a lazy person. Does she honor others? Does she care about others' feelings? Does she listen to others' point of view? Does she say thank you? Is she respectful? • Goals In order to marry someone, you need to be in agreement about basic life goals. Talk about your dreams and goals together. What is his purpose in life? Are you in agreement? • Attraction Do I enjoy being with this person? Am I happy when I am with her? Do I look forward to seeing him? Do I like his/her basic personality? Do we laugh together? Numbers 36.6; 1 Corinthians 7.39. RETURN TO YOUTH RALLY PHOTO GALLERY
Iglesia Bíblica |
