Christian Courtship

INTRODUCTION
Christian Courtship is a period before marriage where a christian brother and sister agree about many issues and see if they both share the same vision, hope and aspirations about marriage. It involves two people that have agreed to walk together, in the direction of marriage- Amos 3:3.

THE IMPORTANCE OF COURTSHIP
Courtship is very important and necessary for the intending couple to observe, if they want to enjoy their marriage. It is during the courtship that proper biblical foundation must be laid down in order to have a happy married life. It is a period to get to know each other intimately apart from carnal knowledge and illicit romance.
Before you venture into wedding plans, both of you must agree on a lot of things like what you both want for your marriage.Know each other's strength and weaknesses, likes and dislikes and parents. Both of you must realize what marriage means TILL DEATH DO US PART.
 It is a time to plan for the wedding and the marriage. One vital issue that must be addressed during this period is to obtain the consent of both parents - Gen 24:54-59. It is a period to undertake marriage counselling lessons. After proposing to a lady and she has agreed to marry you, the next thing to do is to obey the biblical injunction to prove all things- 1 Thess 5:21. Secretly indulging in bodily, emotional and sexual pleasure at this stage with your marriage partner is a sin- Rom 12:1-2.It is a potential sign of marital failure.
LONG COURTSHIP NOT ADVISABLE
Long courtship, in the interest of two partners is not advisable. In some churches, long courtship of not less than two years is encouraged with the hope that with such time input, the couple will get to know each other properly  This can, however, easily expose the partners to sexual temptation and thus break the divine constitution "touch not; taste not; handle not" Col 2:21.
Besides, human beings can pretend and hide true identities until after the real marriage. To save the intending couple, therefore, a minimum period of six months and maximum of one year is recommended or advisable.
CONCLUSION
Our heavenly father is the best friend anyone can have but also the worst enemy a man can have. Remember, He is the one that ordained the institution of marriage. It  will be dangerous for anyone to attempt to establish a home without Him. Courtship is not a period to play pranks. Watch and be warned.