Boy Meets Girl: Say Hello to Courtship

My children, who are all in their 20's, have been raving about Josh Harris' books for years having read them as they came out. For the first time, I picked up his first two books to read: "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" and "Boy Meets Girl" after some questions came up in a singles ministry my wife and I are involved in.To my surprise and joy, I found that Josh had arrived at the same conclusions I had come to as a young Christian single over thirty-five years ago when I was 25. As a Bible-hungry new believer with a sinful sexual past, it became obvious pretty quickly that Christ's promise of an abundant life called for a radical change in my behavior. As I grew in Scriptural knowledge, my conclusions and living mirrored Josh Harris' teaching to a "T".When I was 32, a 'chance' encounter with a pretty blonde young women whom I'd known briefly many years earlier, brought me face to face with my wife-to-be. Back then, she was already a strong Christian while I was a wild heathen who rode a motorcycle and by the grace of God never got arrested or killed. We had nothing in common. However, one night in bed she had "once in a lifetime" encounter in which she thought the Lord told her that I was to be her future husband. At first she refused to believe it because I was not a Christian, but she felt that God was insistent so she began to pray for me - for over seven years it turned out. Through the grapevine, she heard that I'd eventually become a Christian and other tidbits. And in the intervening years, God took the craziness out of me and grew me up in Christ.One day, all those years later, a buddy and I bumped into her. When we were reintroduced, I remembered her deep Christian character and how I'd been attracted to her but turned off by her Christianity. I also remembered hearing that she neither dated nor had ever married. When we met this time and I looked into her eyes, I suddenly knew that she was my wife to be. It was not until after we became engaged that her family asked her if she'd ever told me the "rest of the story." And that's when I heard about God's faithfulness to a young woman's obedience to wait upon the Lord.She and I had both committed our ways to the Lord, lived faithful lives for Christ in the intervening years, and he brought us together at the perfect time and place for us - and our marriage has been blessed for it.

As the title of this review says, good ideas, for the most part. I agree with what most of this book says. The chivalrous behavior, guarding your own and your partner's weaknesses to make sure neither stumble, and lots of other tips in this book are very beneficial. However, one thing I think the author does not emphasize enough from page one is first seeking God before even considering courting someone. He doesn't seem to understand that a person can directly ask God "Should I court so-and-so?" Or "is it meant for me to court/marry so and so?" In the first and second chapters, he talks more about whether someone feels led to court based on their own feelings, biblical wisdom or what they want to do rather than asking God first. Some might think, well, maybe it is understood to go to God first because it is a Christian book. That might not necessarily be true for some Christians. Yes, biblical wisdom should be used. But first you go to God and ask Him directly if it is His will to court so-and-so (yes, that is allowed). THEN you wait for an answer. Does it line up with scripture? Is it confirmed by the Holy Spirit? And is there a peace about it? If those check off THEN make your move to court. NOT beforehand and NOT by personal wisdom!!!Secondly, in the beginning of the book, he does not emphasize enough the importance of God's direct role in choosing our mate. It should not be based on whether we find the person attractive, or think that just because a person is a Christian, they are court worthy; there is more to it than that. He does not talk enough about how God knows who is best for us. He talks about how family should play a role in the process because they know us well. But he neglects to mention that God knows us best, that He should be the first one we go to when we start to consider our future mate and to ask Him to bring us the mate that He knows is best for us. If we pray about it FIRST, God will bring the right person, under the right circumstances in His perfect timing. As stated before, the author mentions these things, but not until near the end of the book.GOD's thoughts, wisdom and insight comes FIRST through prayer of directly asking what He says we should do when we should do it. THEN we follow suit with trust, obedience and patience.

I read this book after a personal relationship of my own ended badly, and I quickly began wishing I had read it before. While much of what Mr. Harris says is nothing Christians haven't heard before, the author does a fine job of putting every lesson about intimacy and romance you've ever heard together piece by piece until what has always remained a very confusing puzzle becomes crystal clear. By citing scripture and the personal experiences of both himself and people he knows, Harris illuminates many common problems Christians encounter in their relationships and gives solid guidelines on how to conquer them. Admitting some ambiguity will always exist in a relationship, Harris refuses to demand his readers follow every line of his advice literally. Personally, for example, I see nothing wrong with kissing your girlfriend, but this is one of those matters Harris leaves for each reader to decide about for themselves. Another questionable area is how much you should let others be involved in your courtship: is it really good to let your church peers know everything you and your girlfriend/boyfriend do? Certainly, however, the general values Harris addresses can be adapted to any romance--and probably should be. Another nice touch is where Harris addresses the question of "Is 'courting' holier than 'dating," pointing out that some of his critics may be reading more into the terms he uses than he ever intended. Overall, a sensitive worthwhile read for any Christian who wants to find God's will in romance for them.

A very good book if you are looking to court! The product arrived promptly! Good service

It has been always my favorite book on Love Sex and Dating (LSD).☺️😄This is Joshua Harris the 3rd BOOK that i have read since I am as Christian teenager😂Thrilling😱😲 exciting😉🤗 will always spark curiosity🧐🤔👍☺️ especially for topic boyfriend girlfriend relationship

I was grappling with these sorts of issues to do with relationships, and so when I actually came to read this, it absolutely blew my mind. It's very helpful in the way it's very much God-centered and not looking to the way the 'world' goes about 'dating/courting'. It's persuaded me of a lot of things and reassaured me of others. I commended it to several of my friends, and all of them came back after reading it saying they cannot commend it highly enough!I would definitely recommended this amazing book unreservedly for single guys/girls, if you're thinking about relationships, and thinking what motives and attitudes we should have as Christians, and how we should go about it.

Absolutely Recommended - If you're single or in a relationship the principles In this book is worth learning!I wish I had learned the principles in this book sooner.

Boy Meets Girl is a good read for young adults thinking about marriage but it's only part of the story. It can give the impression of a hyper romanticised ideal for your courtship despite it's best efforts to talk about the hard and unromantic truths of finding a spouse.There is a great counter essay called 'God does not want to write your love story' by Margaret Kim Peterson and Dwight N. Peterson. While it has it's flaws too, most notably it's slightly misleading title, it gives a good counter perspective to this book. Reading both should help give a more rounded study into this complex topic.The other comment I have is it has a very American perspective on dating which doesn't translate as well to the Australian culture.