Is Christian Dating or Courting Better? What's the Difference and Which One Is More Biblical?

Will Christian courting or dating help you more if you want a godly marriage one day? What's the difference between dating and courting? Here is an explanation of the differences, the pros and cons, and my personal beliefs about what is best in Christians seeking a marriage.

PAPERBACK books and small group Bible studies by Mark Ballenger:

CONTACT and Social Media Info:

[girlyeva]

I think the best approach is "dating with purpose" with the intent being marriage.

[tanyastevens]

Mark, you have found your calling..
People are learning and building their character with the help from the Lord, alongside your knowledge Jesus is implementing in your life.
It is people like you that change the world.
Of course The Lord carries us but, applying wisdom through us to fill his masterpiece with love.

💛

[kyro-jaxxsonofkosmos]

You don't need legalistic courtship to avoid sexual sin. Just guard yourself, your heart, and date in public.

[juchebo]

I have 2 Indian friends that did the Christian courting. One of them; her husband saw her online on a Christian Indian “Facebook” page. Her husband spoke to her pastor and then to her parents before he started talking to my friend. She was here in Texas and he was in Atlanta. They became friends, FaceTimed a lot and then they got engaged and married and my friend moved to Atlanta and they have a son now.
My other friend, she was introduced to her husband through her cousins. He came to the US from India for a friend’s wedding. So he contacted her pastor and her parents before talking to her. They had a chaperone follow them everywhere they went, they were never alone. They went to India for the traditional engagement; he asked her family members for her hand in marriage and they came back to the US to get married and they have a son now as well.

I never knew the difference between Christian Dating and Christian Courting until I saw this video. After watching the video, I realized that my Indian friends courted their current husbands

[rosem.]

I think the third option (your opinion) should be titled as Christian Dateship! Combination of Christian Dating and Christian Courtship. 😊 I agree with that middle approach/your opinion.

[advocateofpeace]

I’ve read I kissed dating goodbye when I was 18 which I think led me to break up with my then non-Christian boyfriend. I just remembered that while setting up my priorities, as a student and a new Christian then I needed time. But in my heart praying that on our separate ways will encounter God. I believe the book had set me straight to become a real Christian woman worth waiting for, He set me in a position where I’m ready to be a wife, my faith became stronger and gave me wisdom on how to look out for the “Real Man of God”. On the other hand, it sets my standards so high that I didn’t go on a date ever since that break up... I didn’t entertain non-Christian suitors, or new believers, not believing relationships online work...I think the book made me anti-social and perfect-one seeker. Maybe the guys thought of all the rules of courting badly and in effect shoo them away. I think I made a law out of others experience. But at the same time it helped me to hold on purity and wait for marriage to even kiss (I’m 37 and it’s hard).
By watching your video, I’ve seen the balance. I think I like the fusion of the two. It’s more practical and realistic. I kissed dating goodbye is somewhat a story of happily ever after, in a perfect world of a novel book which you can also find some good lessons which is very good to apply in life. It gives you strength and emphasis on guarding your heart. But it could have been better also to be open and go out (with caution) and try to experience different things and meet different people.

[rizenofficial]

Thank You Brother. I'm currently seeking for a Godly woman to be my future wife. I'm praying on it so I shall have patience through the process.

[kidsomagnificent]

@13:44 this is definitely me 😭😭😭 which Is why I been single for this long. Always being in my head and having high expectations in myself which made the process slower. I needed this one! ☝🏿🙏🏿

[preachingpoet]

This question has been my prayer... it’s really been in my heart

[ginagonzalez]

Again, too much work. 😊 I appreciate your insight. A lot of good advices. In my opinion a Christian should let the Holy Spirit lead both parties. They will never go wrong. The Holy Spirit knows best for both and He knows what fits best at the moment. However, if people are not led by the Holy Spirit, all of these advises are good.

[gabyduarte]

The last few minutes about how important it is for the commitment and the intimacy in the relationship to be equal really spoke so much to my heart! Thanks so much again! I truly believe this channel is doing things. I know it is for me. God bless!

[trishg]

I think dating with an understanding- --of a possibility--
of it leading to a marriage.
There's a lot to process, as you have stated in another video- talking about "players". You want to avoid "players" and "narcissists" !!! 😮

[kyro-jaxxsonofkosmos]

Can't say I'm in to aimless dating. Can't say I'm into strict courtship. I'm sure I'll find something that works for me. The middle ground

[bradleychampagne]

Well I guess I'll end up being a courter...even though I'm 29 and not courting anyone...yet...still.

[SantaFe]

It is always good to take the middle of the road in situations like this.

[BlessedbyGrace-rnhl]

You are a tremendous source of motivation for me. Your videos about God have changed my perspective on life and helped me find true meaning. Thank you for these invaluable shares.

[janitorman]

As I was listening to your video Mark I was thinking to myself why not adapt hybrid version of Christian dating . It would be Christian dating with accountability from the courtship Modal.Great video Mark you have an awesome ministry keep it up.

[pineappledonut]

I am going into the military and as a young Christian guy i have interest in this young Christian girl i used to go to school with. We have been talking for a few months as friends and we have set up a day after church to get to know each other better. And I agree with most of these points, but (using my situation for an example) the guy should sometimes use dating to see how the relationship would be romantically (within God’s rules) if there is a reason such as mine a 6 year contract with the military. I feel like i would be ready to get married after a few years into my military experience. But before we would get married we would continue to build a stronger relationship of trust. Right now i currently believe that i am capable of handling a serious relationship with a delayed marriage to let God to help and aid us both grow physically, spiritually, mentally, and romantically to handle the stresses, challenges and hardships and enjoy the things of marriage.

[saynotohookups]

I thought about that one day: does the Bible really lay out courtship? I don't see any specific pattern for how to go about pursuing a spouse other than putting your trust in the Lord. One thing that the Bible says is to avoid the appearances of evil. I like a lot of what you had to say. It all comes down to godly wisdom. It's wise to include other people in and it's also a good idea to know what the potential spouse would be like you are talking one on one with them because sometimes a person can reveal something about them self that they would not reveal with another person who's around to hear it. There is a lot that I need to work on with myself before I get married. When I get to know a man it must be with the purpose of getting to know him as a person to see if he is the right spouse for me and that I am the right spouse for him.

[MariankGonzalez]

Thanks for presenting the two sides! I learned a lot. :)