Randy Alcorn's Dating Advice For His Daughters

Randy Alcorn is one of my favorite Christian teachers.  I recently read his book The Purity Principle.  Toward the end he shares some dating principles for singles.  The following are excerpted from a sixteen-page handout on purity he wrote for his daughters and the young men desiring to spend time with them.  I think these are excellent.  What about you?

1. If you’re a Christian, date only Christians (see 2 Cor 6:14).
2. If you’re a committed disciple, date only committed disciples.
3. Christ is with you all evening – wherever you go and whatever you do.
4. Remember your date is your brother or sister, not your lover (see 1 Tim 5:1-2).
5. Go out in groups, not alone.
6. Focus on talk, not touch; conversation, not contact.
7. Avoid fast-moving relationships or instant intimacy.
8. Plan the entire evening in advance, with no gaps.
9. Avoid setups – never be alone: on a couch, in a car late at night, in a house or bedroom.
10. Be accountable to someone about your purity.
11. Imagine your parents or church leaders are watching you through the window.  God is watching (see Jer 16:17).
12. Write out your own standards and enforce them yourself – never depend on someone else.
13. Don’t do anything with your date that you wouldn’t want someone else doing with your future mate.
14. Beware of the “moral wear down” of long dating relationships and long engagements.  Once young people and parents agree on marriage, it’s dangerous to wait longer than necessary (see 1 Cor 7:8-9).