I prepared laminated "wallet cards" and gave them to all the youth at the end of a sexuality retreat. The cards had "Dating Guidelines" on one side and "Questions to Consider..." on the other side. They remind and reinforce lessons and conversations from the retreat.

Dating Guidelines:
• Establish a friendship.
• Avoid isolation from friends & family.
• Don't stay together only for security.
• Plan fun and enjoyable dates.
• Remember that dating is preparation for marriage.
• Avoid getting too close too soon.
• Avoid dating people who don't share the same values (including non-Christians?).

Questions to consider when making decisions about sex:
• Do I feel comfortable?
• Do I feel pressured?
• How would I feel if somebody knew about it?
• How would I feel if a friend was doing this?
• What will be the consequences?
• Could I get hurt by this?
• Could someone else get hurt?
• What could go wrong?
• Does the other person see this the same way I do?
• Am I being honest with myself and with the other person involved?  Is she or he being honest with him\herself and with me?
• How do would Jesus feel about this?

Date Submitted: February 25, 2005