March 7, 2008
Picture Perfect?
by Lydia Rule, RTF Staff Writer
He’s cute. She’s pretty. But are they really right for each other? They are the picture-perfect couple—the type you see on movies where the handsome football star and the homecoming queen magically fall in love. But sometimes appearances can fool us.
Like the mirrors in a fun house, what we see doesn’t match up with reality.
Somehow, we get it stuck in our heads that beauty is only skin deep and whoever looks good, has to be the one for us! But just because someone is cute, stunning, or gorgeous on the outside, doesn’t mean that they are what they appear to be.
I wonder if our perspectives would change if we could see people the way God sees them… But since God doesn’t have an online dating service or hotline where He answers dating questions, let’s see what He says in the Bible:
Situation 1: Sara has just started coming to youth group and she’s met this super cute guy named Dylan. Plus, he is the Youth Pastor’s son so Sara figures he’s got to be a Christian. Dylan comes to church all the time and he likes to flirt with all the girls, but Sara can’t help but feel attracted to him. Finally, the moment Sara has been waiting for arrives… Dylan asks her to go out with him Saturday night. Sara is thinking about saying yes even though she has only known him for a couple of weeks.
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t make decisions the way you do! People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions.” 1st Samuel 16:7
Questions to Think About
1) Does Sara really know enough about Dylan to go out with him?
2) Just because Dylan is related to the youth pastor, does it make him a Christian?
3) Should it concern Sara that Dylan flirts with other girls?
Situation 2: Erin is a new Christian. He just started dating Alisha. She’s smart, pretty, and popular at school. Erin knows that Alisha isn’t saved, but he figures that he can get her to come to church with him every once in a while. Besides, he really wants to date her. She makes him look good in front of all the other guys at school.
Scripture Verse: Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can goodness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14
Questions to Think About
1) If Erin and Alisha break up, what are the chances of Alisha coming back to Erin’s church?
2) What are the chances of him influencing Alisha to get saved? What are the chances of Alisha pulling him away from church?
(Read Solomon’s story in 1 Kings 11:2-9. Did Solomon influence his unsaved wives to come to God or did they convince Solomon to worship other idols?)
3) What do you think it means to not be “unequally yoked”? Why is it important to date someone who does more than call themselves Christian?
4) Are Erin’s motives for dating Alisha selfish? Is he really
trying to witness to Alisha, or is he just thinking of himself?
Part II of Picture Perfect tomorrow
Deb says:
This is really good Lydia!
I can’t wait to read part two.
Lydia Rule says:
Thanks!
duke says:
Peace be with the moderator, as well as the reader. (that is if this message is not censored
The time has come.
I am here to bring judgment to the living and the dead. The harvest is ripe.
Pass this on to all fellow believers.
The Faithful Witness
Duke
Nick says:
Ok… The above message means____??? It relates to the article in what way(s)?
T. Suzanne Eller says:
I’m not sure, Nick.
Nick says:
LOL
People will post anything…
The Other Faithful Witness says:
LOL. People post the weirdest things!
The Other Faithful Witness says:
Whoops! Meant to put my name…I’m Debbie, the other faithful witness. LOL. I get a kick outta things like that!