Courtship always has marriage as its direct goal. They are rooted in purpose, spiritual growth and a desire to be with whom God has chosen for you"Ĭhristian theologian John Piper distinguished courtship from dating in his book, Sex and the Supremacy of Christ, teaching that:Ĭourtship ordinarily begins when a single man approaches a single woman by going through the woman's father and then conducts his relationship with the woman under the authority of her father, family, or church, whichever is most appropriate. "A Christ-centered courtship is when a man and woman prayerfully and purposefully seek to determine if marriage is in God's plan for them.