Bible Study on men-women relationships

Think about it, do you know of any passage in the bible that speaks about dating as we know it in our world today? The
scriptures are silent on the subject of dating as we know it today. All the passages on boy-girl or man-woman
relationships speak of courtship, betrothal and marriage. What do you think is the reason for this?

A. When are you ready?

1. Emotional Commitment.
From the following passages, when should emotional love between a man and a woman
be awakened or aroused? When should it not be awakened? When is a man or woman
ready for emotional commitment and engagement and when is he/she not ready?
SOS 2:7; 3:5; 8:4; SOS 8:6-10; 1 Corinthians 7:28-38;

2. Betrothal and “Going Steady”

What does the bible say generally about betrothal, being pledged and engagement?
Gen 19:14; Exodus 22:16; Deut 20:7; 22:23; Hosea 2:19-20; Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:27;
Luke 2:5; 1 Corinthians 7:28-38;

Think about it, when God speaks of betrothal with respect to his people, he speaks of it as a done deal that is
irrevocable (Hosea 2:19-20). How should this influence how we view betrothal or “getting serious” or “committed”
relationships today?

3. How does one live out the following principles of betrothal from Hosea 2:19-20 in
“getting serious” or “committed” relationships? When is a man or woman ready for
“getting serious” and when is he/she not ready for this?
Forever
Righteousness
Justice
Love
Compassion
Faithfulness
Acknowledge the LORD

4. Marriage for men.

What calling do we see for husbands in the bible and when are men ready for marriage to
fulfill this calling faithfully? How is the husband like Christ and when is a man ready to
live this out?
Gen 2:18-25; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:4; Colossians 3:18-19; 3:21; Titus 3:14; 1 Peter 3:7;

5. Marriage for women.

What calling do we see for wives in the bible and when are women ready for marriage to
fulfill this calling faithfully? How is a wife like the Church and when is a woman ready
to live this out?
Gen 2:18-25; Ephesians 5:21-33; Colossians 3:18-19; Titus 2:3-5; 1 Peter 3:1-6;

B. What are God’s moral standards and expectations God has in relationships between the
opposite sexes?

6. What every boy and girl should know.

What assumptions do the scriptures have about young men and women getting married?
Gen 24:16; Exodus 22:16; Lev 21:13; Deut 22:12-21; 2 Samuel 13:2, 18; 1 Corinthians
7:28-38;

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 What happens if a man or woman is not a virgin and wants to get married?
Titus 2:11-14;

7. In general relationships.
What standards to the scriptures generally give to men and women in the area of men-
women relationships?
Ephesians 5:3-7; Col 3:5-7; 1 Peter 2:11; 1 John 2:15-16;

8. Boundaries and warnings to boys and men.

What warnings and admonishments are specifically given to boys and men in the area of
men-women relationships?
Proverbs 6:20-35; 31:30; 5:15-21, 1 Thess 4:3-6.

How did Job demonstrate purity of heart, eyes, mind and steps from Job 31?

9. Boundaries and warnings to girls and women.

What warnings and admonishments are given to girls and women in the area of men-
women relationships?
SOS 8:6-10; 1 Peter 3:3-4;

What kind of woman is condemned in Proverbs 7?

10. Clear Conscience principles.

2 Corinthians 1:12 gives four clear conscience principles in matters of relationships
among God’s people generally. How would you live out each of these principles in your
relationships with members of the opposite sex? How do you know you have a clear
conscience in your relationships? How are these moral boundaries broken?

Holiness
Godly Sincerity
God’s wisdom
God’s grace

11. Attitude of men toward other women.

How should a man conduct himself toward other women?
1 Tim 5:1-2;

C. What are biblical principles in decision making?

Peace Isaiah- 26:3, Phil 4:6-7

Word-Psalm 119:105
Counsel-Proverbs 15:22, 22:20
Circumstances-Gen 24:12-22
Time-Ecclesiastes 3:11, 8:6

D. What is your Application?

12. Commitment
Are you ready for a committed relationship? Why or why not?

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13. Conduct
If not, how should you relate with those of the other sex? What boundaries should you
have? How do you keep a clear conscience?

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