The Age for Dating
The age when a Christian should start dating for marriage depends on the age of maturity. While different people mature at different ages, most people in our western society are not ready for marriage until their mid-20s or later. The average age for most first marriages in the United States is now somewhere between age 25 and 28. During this age group, there is a greater level of maturity that helps couples be more responsible and qualified for the long-life commitment.
Waiting for that age group allows couples to finish their education before they are ready for marriage. Those who marry prior to finishing their education may find more challenges like raising children, greater financial burdens and many other challenges.
Readiness for Marriage
About getting married, Solomon the wise advised the young people saying, “Prepare your outside work, make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house” (Proverbs 24:27). In the ancient days, before a young man could hope to marry a wife, he had to be in a place to give his wife and her parents a proof that he has the ability to support her. And in order to do this he would need to establish himself by cultivating a farm capable of supporting the needs of a family.
The Bible gives an example of readiness for marriage in the story of Isaac. When Abraham sent his servant to get a wife for Isaac, the servant showed the parents that Isaac was able to take care of their daughter by the gifts he gave them. He said to Rebekah and her parents, “The LORD has blessed my master greatly, and he has become great; and He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys…. Then the servant brought out jewelry of silver, jewelry of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother” (Genesis 24:35, 53).
Time for love
The Bible teaches that there is “a time to love” (Ecclesiastes 3:8) and there is a time not to “awaken love” (Song of Solomon 8:4). Therefore, those that are not ready for marriage need to wait on dating until they are ready for that long life commitment. And at the right time they will reap the benefits of not being hasty. Their marriage will be solid and secure.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
