Dating 101: The Purpose of Dating

In this last episode of our dating and healthy relationships series we talk about the importance of our foundation. But this just might be a conversation that you’ve not really heard before. We’re talking about focusing on the importance of things that are not seen, but we’re also talking about what things we must do in order to get down to the solid rock to build our foundation on. You won’t want to  miss it. 

In our dating experiences, there will always be things that are frustrating, unenjoyable, and even embarrassing. But what if I were to tell you that we often create some of the frustration and misery and embarrassment because we are trying to control things that are actually not within our control. Join me in this episode as we explore the freedom and empowerment that comes from only focusing on what we can control. 

Relationships involve two people seeking to find commonalities, connection, security, and enjoyment with each other. Thus, one of the biggest hindrances to developing a strong relationship with someone else happens when we, instead, focus mainly on ourselves, our needs, and our problems. Yes, we’re talking about selfishness. The opposite of selfishness in a relationship is not necessarily selflessness, but maybe a balanced and supportive approach that values both people in the relationship. We’ll explore how we do that in this episode. 

Is love all you need to make a relationship work? Actually no. Today we’re going to talk about the importance of both love and trust in a relationship and how having both of them as part of the equation makes for such a better relationship in the end. Trust is on a deeper level in relationships than love and so it’s going to take some work - and, I might add, some bravery. So let’s get digging.

In this episode, we will explore the answers to the many questions young adults have in the church about the physical side of dating. The physical side of a relationship is so sacred and so beautiful, and when handled right, it can be a powerful blessing. We will explore why God has given it to us, why it is such a strong powerful emotion and how, when done appropriately, it can bring your relationship closer to God.

Want to know one of the most important components of healthy communication? It's vulnerability. Ya, I know. Scary, huh? But hopefully after listening to this podcast, it won't be. Being vulnerable is simply allowing others to see more of who we really are instead of the nicely polished version of ourselves we usually put out there. Although that may seem scary, it's actually an incredibly enjoyable way to live.

Struggling with communication in your relationship? You're not alone. In this episode, we lay a foundation with the first principle of good communication: an understanding that the words we use don't just communicate meaning, but also draw out the meaning that others have already connected to them from previous experiences. That's why it's crucial we "seek first to understand" what someone means when they are communicating. 

Did you know that there's not just red flags in a relationship? There's also green, yellow, and orange! Some things we think are "red flags" are simply concerns instead of deal-breakers. In this episode, we'll go through the four kinds of flags that help us make more inspired decisions in our relationships.

In the first episode of the YSA Dating and Healthy Relationships Series, I talk about the reasons behind dating and the principles that should be the foundation for approaching it.

Welcome to Vertically Connected, the new podcast from Stephen Hunsaker Seminars.  In this introductory episode of the YSA Dating and Healthy Relationships Series, I introduce some of the topics we will cover in the series that I have found to be the main concerns and challenges navigating the YSA dating world. We also talk about why it’s just as important to spend some time working on ourselves as we are working on our relationships.