Five Principles of Dating

Clearly Season 6
Written By Jimmy & Kelly Needham

"Describe your perfect date: I would have to say April 25th, because it's not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket." IYKYK. Seriously though, if you're looking for wisdom on how to navigate your dating life, join us today for a deep dive into God's Word!

The Short Story:

Dating is relational public transportation. You get on it to arrive at a destination. Aka, you date to get married. Not stay on the dating train forever. 🚂

We’re not saying you must marry the person you’re dating. But if you can’t see yourself marrying your date, then it’s time to move on. Break-ups can bring glory to God too.

Let’s see what the Bible says about this…


Dating seeks increasing intimacy. And the Bible says a lot about intimate relationships. Because of the romantic, intentional, and physical nature of dating, it should always lead to marriage.

So how do we behave on the bus of dating? Today, we’re giving you 🖐️ ways to date with God at the center!

  1. Date with purpose.

The purpose of dating: Discover if you should enter the covenant of marriage with your significant other.

Questions to ask ourselves:

  • Are we better together than we are apart?

  • What does this person draw out of me?

  • Can our lives merge together?

    2. Date with clarity.

Men: Be incredibly clear. Clarity is kindness. Boys play games. Let’s be men! Let her know where you’d like the relationship to go!

Ladies, this goes both ways! Being unclear harms people. Kindly telling the truth is a godly service to others.

3. Date with priority.

God is to be the center of your life, not your significant other. What do we call it when something or someone takes the place of God? Idolatry.

Don’t be afraid to take a break in your relationship to check in with God. Talk to Jesus about your relationship. Check your priorities. But mayyyybe let your S.O. know before you do this. 😉 Invite them to join you in seeking the Lord during this time.

4. Date with purity.

“Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.” - ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭(NIV)

What does absolute purity mean? We’ll let you answer that one at home. 😉

The only place God puts physical intimacy is within the strong walls of a marriage covenant. Did you catch last week’s episode on marriage?

Our culture has been so sexualized that this may seem impossible. But God often calls us to difficult things. Take a deep dive into your Bible and check out what it says about sexual purity for yourself!

5. Date in community.

“Where there is no counsel, the people fall;

But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”

  • Proverbs 11:14 (NKJV)

Don’t date in isolation. It’s so healthy and so helpful to have mature Christians see you together and speak into your dating life. Getting to know each other’s people helps you learn more about each other too! All of this will help you discern if you’re a good fit for a God-centered marriage.

Application questions:

  • If you’re currently dating, take some time to evaluate if you need a break to make space & check your priorities.

  • If you’re not dating and not yet married, take some time to consider godly characteristics that you’d like to see in your future spouse so that you can know what to look for.

  • If you’re married, find some individuals who are dating or interested in dating and offer to speak into their lives and provide counsel!

  • If you have some past regret over your behavior in past relationships, get alone with God and confess these things. He is faithful in forgiving us and will cleanse us from our unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). 

  • Dedicate some time to memorizing 1 Timothy‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭2.

Want to ask us a question? Email question@clearlypodcast.com.

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Jimmy & Kelly Needham
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Dating Q&A
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Why Marry?