Dating: Why Laying a Strong Foundation is Important
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Resources
Recommended Literature:
Knight in Shining Armor�Jude Devaraux
Boy Meets Girl�Joshua Harris
I Kissed Dating Goodbye�Joshua Harris
When God Writes Your love Story� Eric Ludy and Leslie Ludy
No More Sheets�Juanita Bynum
Lord I want to be Made Whole�Stormie Omaritan
Power of a Praying Wife�Stormie Omartian
5 Love Languages�Gary Chapman
The Gift of Forgiveness�Charles F. Stanley
How to be Like Jesus-- Pat Williams, and Jim Denney
Scriptures:
Matthew 6:33��But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.� (NIV)
Proverbs 3:5-6��Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.� (NIV)
Philippians 1:9-10��And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern with is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.� (NIV)
Philippians 4:6��Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.�
Isaiah 55:8-9��For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.�
Games/Activities: (Please keep in mind where you are in the process and choose the game/activity that is appropriate for that level�are you at the level of friendship? Are you courting?)
(1.)Who Am I?�This is a fun activity designed to help people get to know one another. (Game is modified version of �Me as a Leader� from Leadership training manual Central Michigan University)
A.) You will need to draw a ginger bread man
B.) Once you draw the ginger bread man you will ask the following questions (Draw or write in the region of the body in which you feel the question applies to--after the questions have been completed each person reflects and shares their drawing with the other):
- The thing I like most about myself is (can be physical, mental, etc)
- If I could change one thing about myself it would be (can be physical, mental, etc)
- My greatest leadership characteristic is�
- What I am most passionate about is�(place in heart region)
- What I hope to gain from this friendship/courthship is�
(2.)21 Questions: This activity is designed to help couples get to know one another as well. You can make up your own questions, depending on the level that you are at (friendship, courtship, etc) your questions may vary. For instance, at the friendship level questions may consist of what is there person�s dislikes, likes, favorite foods, colors, etc. At the courtship or engagement stage/level the questions may consist of some of the questions listed in the �Before the Aisle� section of the website.
A.)How do you play this activity? You and your partner write out 10 questions each. Once the questions have been written out you and your partner submit the questions into a container of some sort and you take turns drawing the questions and asking them. The person who is not drawing the question has to answer them. **Place a sheet of paper with a question mark on it, this is a bonus question and whoever gets it can ask whatever question they like.(within boundaries)
(3.)Value Line: This activity is designed to help couples explore the foundation of their personal values and beliefs. Not only is the activity a self-exploring one, but it also allows couples to gain insight about each other�s values and beliefs, family background, and significant influences. (Role models, etc) (Activity is modified version of Dr. Marc Anderson Grimmett�s EAC 524 Life Line Assignment)
A.)What do you need: (This project is about you! Whatever you want to use to express yourself and use to represent �the real you� please do. Some have used power points, made CDs (used songs), slideshows, scrapbooks, diaries, etc�JUST BE CREATIVE�THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!!!
B.)Questions�these questions are no means standard please feel free to deviate from the list if necessary.
- What values and beliefs would you use to describe you? Where did the values and beliefs come from?
- What personal and professional experiences helped shape who you are?
- Who do you consider to be your role models and why? How have they impacted you? What role have they played in your life?
- What are your most significant career/job aspirations
- What three words describe you�why?
- What ever else you want to share about yourself that you feel will be developmental to you and your partner�s growth during this season of courthship.
Other Fun Activities to help you get to know each other: Picnics; bike rides; movies; plays; church events; board games. Keep it simple especially in the friendship stage!
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