Topic: Understanding Christian Courtship
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the first part of this teaching on “Understanding Christian Courtship.” Courtship is a period you, your friends, children and other relations will definitely pass through in life; if you have not done so already. The way it is handled, will determine, to a large extent, the success or failure of your family in the future. This month, I will be teaching on how to make the most of your courtship period, in preparing for a successful marriage.
What, then, is Courtship?
Courtship is not just a time for munching dinner and slurping ice cream together at fast food restaurants. It is the period between when a couple formally agrees to marry and when they actually marry. Concerning the birth of Jesus, the Scripture say that Mary was espoused to Joseph. …A virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph … (Luke 1:27). From Matthew 1:18 we also read: …Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together… In other words, there was a marriage intention between Mary and Joseph; as they were in courtship but had not come together physically then.
Courtship can be likened to the seasoning ingredients you use while preparing a soup. How and when you put the contents determine the taste of the soup. Courtship is a time when you learn to how to discover God together and you are left with the responsibility of finding out, with all sincerity, if you truly agree (Amos 3:3).
Courtship is an opportunity for good preparation and planning on how, you would want your home to be run. It may sound unbelievable, but during courtship, you should be able to know what name to call your first child! By doing this, your faith and confidence concerning fruitfulness is in place.
Planning at this period plays an important role in determining the success of the home in view. Jesus teaching in Luke 14:28-32 brought out the importance of planning: For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation; and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying this man began to build and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. Likewise, a good home does not drop from heaven; it is built and good buildings require good planning.
You have to find out also, what both of you have in common; especially if you have a common vision. It is a time to discover the pillars that will make your marriage successful. My husband discovered seven pillars before marriage, and received more insight during our courtship; hence our success in marriage to the glory of God! Our marriage is a testimony of God’s goodness, faithfulness, love and power from day one till now. I have never had any cause to regret being married to my husband. I have said several times that if there was anything like ‘another life’, I would still want to be married to my husband; and in heaven, I will love to see my mansion built next to his. Do you wish to have this kind of experience?
Courtship is also a time to share the Word together, keep up with its truth and intercede prayerfully for each other concerning the future. Remember, if you lay a faulty foundation, you will suffer the consequences of a faulty marriage in future. However, laying a good foundation is easy when you are born again. This is because God makes His help available to you. To be born again, you confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour. If you would like to do so now, please say this prayer of faith with me: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”
Congratulations, you are now born again! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).
With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name. Call or write to share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).
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