Are you a single man or woman thinking about dating someone older or younger than yourself? Dating an older man? Dating an older woman? Many Christian singles are confused over the issue of dating someone outside of their own age group. It’s no wonder since some Christians actually teach that it is unequally yoked to marry outside of one’s age group. I suppose these are some of the same folks who taught the same about interracial dating.
Although dating older men or women is not unbiblical, there are some things you may want to carefully consider before taking the plunge. We are assuming if you’re a a Christian you are dating with the intention of find a marriage partner. After all, that should be the ultimate goal of dating , right?
Dating Older-Dating Younger Tips
Test Your Compatiblity Level
Although it’s true that opposites attract, it’s those who have a lot of common middle ground who stay together happily ever anger. So discuss your ‘game plan” for life with your older or younger dating partner. Are you seeking fame and fortune? Kids? How compatible are you with your older or young date? It’s so important to know where each other stands on important issues, before diving into a serious relationship.
Expect and Plan for Cultural Resistance
Anna Nicole Smith dated and married an older geezer, and took a lot of heat for it. Okay, maybe her motive (money) encouraged this. But the point is this: Anything outside of the “norm” will be looked at as an oddity. This is especially true in situations where the age difference of the daters is greater than a decade. Of course dating an older or younger person at middle age is less looked down upon by society than if a 30 year old guy were dating an 18 year old girl.
If you are in one of these outside the norm dating relationships, you and your partner should candidly discuss possible reactions you may get from family, friends and church members. Dealing with this potential threat pro-actively may save your relationship from unwanted stress and strain in the future.
Are you a single Christian who is in a relationship with an older or younger person? Do you have a different taske on dating older or younger people? Help others by sharing your thought here.
2 Comments
Hopeful
I really like this older guy. I am 18, he is 36. He is a Christian, I am a Christian. I don’t know if he likes me, and I don’t want to go about this all wrong. Unless he likes me, which I do not know, this is all one sided. I am not sure if I want to keep this one sided if this will not go anywhere. What should I do?
Mauricio
I have a friendship with an 18 year OD girl that I don’t have with anybody else and we’re both Christian. She encourages me to be a strong Christian and she leans toward hanging around the older crowd. I’m 26 am a worship leader and have stayed away from dating for the last three years. She read “The Five Love Languages” and was dead accurate about mine, she continues to purposely do things to make me feel loved in a way that nobody else does. I already get weird looks when we hang out but knowing that her and I have a Godly friendship gives me peace of mind and confidence that I’m doing nothing wrong. I’ve prayed about it and I’ve felt the lord’s peace.
dude
There is evendince in the Bible, younger men with older women. I dont agree with the quote about equal yoke. It doesnt mean age. If that was true everyone is in trouble. Maturity is not a number. I’ve have had the indirect comments made by others as I walk by. But as a Christian you will be persucted no matter where you go or what you do. All in all, your motives should be to keep Jesus in the picture