Dating and the Single Parent: * Are You Ready to Date? * Talking With the Kids * Avoiding a Big Mistake * Finding Lasting Love (Smart Stepfamily)

by Ron L. Deal

“I’m looking for the person who is easy for me to love; someone who will fulfill my needs and who knows just how to love me.” Sounds pretty selfish, doesn’t it? Soul-mate shopping is nothing more than consumerism applied to dating.

God uses marriage to teach us about commitment, sacrifice, forgiveness, and selfless love.

Commitment glues the couple together and gives God a chance to really go to work on their selfishness, mistaken expectations, pride, and immature views of intimacy.

evaluate whether you and your dating partner have the resolve and determination to live out a covenant commitment.

Don’t marry someone unless you are convinced they will bring emotional, spiritual, psychological, and relational blessings to your children.

Kids need to know they haven’t lost your love, attention, nurturing, or availability. Reaffirm your love for them over and over.

a biological parent who is unwilling to boldly move their spouse into a place of prominence in their heart and family.