Case Study: To Date or Not to Date

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Biffina is 18 years old. She is the oldest of four kids, and this is her first year at the local university. Her parents are solid Christians, and they have been faithful in teaching God’s Word to their children. They also have modeled it well before them. The family is tight-knit, and the children have never caused any major problems inside or outside the family.

One of the things Biff, the dad, has taught his kids is that they would never date until they are ready for marriage and the right guy came along. His preference also meant dating would not happen until after college. His teaching on dating was never a problem and all the children signed off on it.

It was never a problem until now that Biffina is in her first semester of college. She told her dad that she wants to date and that she has been seeing a boy on campus. Biff and Mable come to you for advice on how to respond to their daughter. They want to give her the freedom to be an adult, but they have a strong preference that their children should not date.

Case Study Questions

1. Is it wrong for Biffina to date? Why did you answer that way?
2. What should honoring her parents look like now that she is out of the home?
3. What Scriptures would you use to help guide the parents through this situation?
4. If Biffina came to you for counseling, how would you counsel her?

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Rick Thomas

Rick launched the Life Over Coffee global training network in 2008 to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. His primary responsibilities are resource creation and leadership development, which he does through speaking, writing, podcasting, and educating.

In 1990 he earned a BA in Theology and, in 1991, a BS in Education. In 1993, he received his ordination into Christian ministry, and in 2000 he graduated with an MA in Counseling from The Master’s University. In 2006 he was recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).