1. How To Choose A Partner Fr. Jacob Ghaly

2. The 4 Categories These categories are suggestions of what may be ideal When Where How Expectations

3. When An ideal time would be towards the end of your college career - Before that age, heterosexual attraction is usually general; Later on, the attraction is towards 1 person (psychological maturity) By law: over 18 years old -Before that age, the relationship will lack spiritual, psychological, and financial maturity

4. When Females usually mature around 2 years earlier than males. The maturity level usually “equalizes” between males and females between the ages of 25-30 The ideal difference in age is up to 5 years

5. Where Church Including activities such as retreats, service, trips, Sunday school, etc. Work Could be anywhere according to the will of God

6. How Prayer is the best tool to find a partner where God will chose the person, the time, and the way through his wisdom. The dangers angers of finding a partner through the internet…

7. Expectations Some people will form unreal expectations of what they are looking for in a partner. “Beauty is fading and charm is deceitful” My partner should be very close to me in terms of my: – Spirituality – Financially – Academically This will generally minimize many problems later on

8. It is very important for Churches to run some sort of program that will prepare partners for marriage.

9. 5 Factors that go into choosing a partner Spirit Mind Parents Feeling Open Doors

10. Spirit God’s Voice Father of confession: Has wisdom and discernment; will help and pray for you We need Jesus to be the center of the relationship from the beginning: Jesus Christ should be the 3 rd person in a relationship The Holy Spirit is the guidance

11. Mind Everything makes sense – Difference in age, personality, etc.

12. Parents 1 of the signs of God’s approval is the comfort of the parents In our Coptic culture, the marriage is between 2 partners; However, both families are very much involved. If there is no harmony between the 2 families, it will create countless problems. If there is discomfort with parents; prayer and time are key.

13. Feeling Our love to our partner must be aghapy love, not aerus love Do not rely on feelings 100%. Feelings will be overwhelming at first, but later on, you need aghapy love to sustain the relationship.

14. Open Doors We prayed, we are comfortable, parents agree, we have the blessings of our families, all the doors are open: – This usually means God’s will is taking place – This doesn’t mean you will not experience any obstacles.

15. Factors affecting the Decision Family – love and respect between parents, – how they deal with relatives, – there is harmony between the 2 families Culture Communication Dialogue Ability to express feelings Responsibility (Level of success in life) Financial Status Diseases (hepatitis, Cancer, infertility, psychological disorders, etc.)

16. Questions to ask yourself after you find your potential partner Q1: Faith Q1: Life Q3: Culture Q4: Personality

17. Q1: Faith Is the person attached to the Church? Does the person have a relationship with God? Why does the person go to Church? Is Jesus the first in his/her life? Are they living a life of repentance? Is God their first refuge when there is trouble? What is the value of the Bible in their life?

18. Q2: Life How do they spend money? Do they love to serve others? Do they respect other people? Do they respect the lowly? Is there any kind of addiction present in their lives? Is the person stubborn or heard-headed? Are they able to keep a private life with their spouse? Are they quick to lose friends? How long does it take to forgive someone? A moment, day, year, forever? Ambition, greediness, laziness…

19. Q3: Culture Who are their friends? What books do they read? What websites do they go on? What shows/ movies do they watch? How do they spend their free time? Hobbies? Music?

20. Q4: Personality The dangers of comparing? Are they hesitant in making decisions? Punctuality in time? Do they like to own everything they see? Are they able to say sorry when they are wrong? Are they suspicious/ paranoid about people around them? Humility?

21. Notes Marriage is an establishment of the house of the Lord Whenever 2 or 3 are gathered I will be in the midst (these are husband, wife, and children) The bodies are holy as long as they are faithful to each other Marriage is a spiritual gift, but not with non-believers As wine and water are mixed, also husband and wife: to be in harmony

22. Wrong reasons for marriage Money Papers Position in company Just to have kids To serve ME

23. Goals for marriage To become 1 unity Aghapy love Sharing Salvation Godly Children

24. Bible References Eph. 5:22 Heb. 13:24 1 Cor. 7:2, 7:4, 7:10, Eph. 5:28 Mat. 19:4, 19:6