Dating... Marriage... What's the Real Difference? Pt. 1 (Hint: it's not just sex)

Hey everybody -

   I know I haven't posted anything on here in awhile. I went "into the woods", so to speak, and came back a better man. Cheesy, I know. But I've learned so much.

   I grew in so many areas spiritually, psychologically, and mentally, but I've seen the most significant growth in two main areas - self-awareness and dating. Since I just finished having a really in-depth conversation with one of my friends about dating, it's fresh on my mind, so that's what we'll talk about in this article. Before we get into it, however, I want to personally ask you - if you have well-formed thoughts on dating and marriage, and you think that I have misspoken or that you have something insightful to offer as a supplement to one of my points, or maybe you just want to discuss some of the questions I raise - please leave your comments and thoughts at the bottom in the comment field. I am flawed, human, and prone to error just like anyone else, and anything that you have to offer will be helpful to me.

   So, dating. I've thought about this so much over the years. My thoughts may not be correct, but they are thorough. Before I give you my thoughts, I want to ask you some questions. Please think about each question at length before you continue reading. I know it's tempting to jump on to the next article and see what I have to say, but I think that you will gain a lot more from what I have to say if you answer these questions for yourself first. Honestly, I would recommend that you get out a piece of paper or the notes app on your phone and actually draft out some brief answers to these questions before continuing to the next article in this series.

1. What is dating?
2. What is the purpose in dating?
3. What does our culture tell us the purpose of dating is? Why?
4. What does the Bible tell us the purpose of dating is?
5. Precisely, at what point is someone considered "dating" (I recognize that this is a Western concept)? 
6. What is marriage?
7. What is the purpose in marriage?
8. What does our culture tell us the purpose of marriage is? Why?
9. What does the Bible tell us the purpose of marriage is?
10. Precisely, at what point is someone considered "married" - regardless of culture?
11. Are dating and marriage different? If so, in what specific ways? 
12. Does someone have to date to get married?
13. Should someone date before getting married?
14. What does 1 Corinthians 7:9 mean to you?
15. Does a couple have to be married to fulfill each other completely in a way that is pleasing to God?

The only way we can be certain about what we will do is if we are certain about what we believe. And the only way we can be certain about what we believe is if we are certain about what we know. And that certainty only comes through rigorous, thorough study and self-introspection. If you haven't ever done this before, please take some time during the next week to think about the answers to these questions. I look forward to getting your thoughts!

In Christian love,
Ethan