Ultimate Boyfriend/ Girlfriend List

At times even Jesus Himself wouldn’t fit the criteria!

Ephesians 5:1-7

Reference: …and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:2 NIV)

Explore: It’s interesting talking to young, single people who are exploring dating. Often, particularly the girls, will have a list of what they would want their future partner to be like.

Sense of humour
Intelligent
Fun
Christian
Loves kids
Honest
Sporty
…

Depending on who the single is and what their interests are, you could find 5-10 more attributes or interests added to their list.

It’s not terrible to have some idea about what you would look for in a partner, but at times even Jesus Himself wouldn’t fit the criteria!!

Application: More times than not, the Bible doesn’t give instruction on what we should look for in others, but how we should act ourselves.

The love advice given in scripture is to be like Christ – love sacrificially. It’s not about what our partner can do for us, but how we can give to our partner.

With a list of demands on what we look for in others, do we ever encourage our single friends to write a list of what we should be for others?

Love is an important ingredient in any relationship. It’s good for us to turn the expectation around and instead of insisting on what others can do for us, Biblical love is all about what we can do for others.

Prayer: Lord, You were the ultimate example of love. May we learn each and every day to put off our selfish desires and to love others with the love of Christ. Amen.

How can you love others today?

Ephesians, love, relationships, selfish, single