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1 Peter 1:13-16
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can also download our service at Baptist-Christian at iTunes. We are talking about spiritual, moral, and marital purity in our children. In Neh. 10:30 begins their new life by committing their children to marital purity. Last week we looked at Biblical prerequisites for dating. Today we consider four more that are equally vital. The question “how do I know when the right person comes along?” is on most Christian young people’s mind. I heard the pastor at my son’s church in Dallas, TX say this, “find a person with a verifiable history of godliness, then marry them, no matter what they look like.” That’s a great principle. Consider this—you will shut your eyes when you kiss them!! The world’s standards for choosing a mate are not those of a Christian. The Christian’s only standard is Christ Jesus! Any other “standard” is substandard! To teach our children to become and remain marital purity we must teach them
BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES CONCERNING _ _ _!
1. Christian parents must stop being cowards about talking to their children about sex! I say that because in a “purity” class we taught our teens 12 of 13 students said they learned about sex from someone other than their parents. Generally, peers and health class don’t teach Biblical principles for dating. Parents need to come to grips with the fact that “sex” is not a four letter word! Christian parents should look forward to the time when they can explain God’s second most wonderful gift to humans; salvation being the most wonderful!
2. Sexual feelings DO exist before marriage! There are two extremes on this point. One is to tell young people sexual feelings are wrong and to be ignored until the honeymoon! Really? How does one explain to a young person on the one hand they are “fearfully and wonderfully made” and at the same time telling them some of the “feelings” God created are wrong until marriage? Don’t teach your children God contradicts Himself. The other extreme is that parents usually don’t discuss sex at all with their children. We see where that’s brought us, don’t we! Godly parents must teach their children what those feelings are, and how to handle them in a Godly way.
3. DON’T teach your children they are not old enough to be in love. You have taught them almost from birth to love. If they are old enough to date, they are old enough to love! Biblical, agape love doesn’t just happen. It is nourished, nurtured, and cared for! Teach your children what agape love is and how to deal with it.
4. Teach your young people never to date anyone they wouldn’t marry! Why is that? For a Christian to date someone they wouldn’t consider marrying, they are dating them for the wrong reason. It is very possible for a young person to lose their heart in love. Once that happens it is both heartbreaking and hard to end the relationship. There is so much more Scripture has to say on each of these principles. If we are to experience true spiritual revival, the first place it must be, is in our own hearts. Then we must teach our children “the whole duty of man… (Eccl. 12:12, 13).
If we can help you answer your spiritual questions, call us a (574) 643-9419.
