Message Outline

The Right Season

Pastor Jonathan Stockstill
Sunday, Aug 17, 2014

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT) — 1 For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.

Season of Preparation:

  • Work
  • Learn
  • Grow
  • “God wants to do something in you before He wants to do something through you.”

Season of Dating:

  • Time of interest and pursuit
  • “No strings attached” policy


Song of Solomon 1:9 (NLT) — 9 You are as exciting, my darling, as a mare among Pharaoh’s stallions.

  • Is there a deep respect and honor?


Song of Solomon 1:10–11 (NLT) — 10 How lovely are your cheeks; your earrings set them afire! How lovely is your neck, enhanced by a string of jewels. 11 We will make for you earrings of gold and beads of silver.

  • Do they add to you or take from you?


Song of Solomon 1:12–14 (NLT) — 12 The king is lying on his couch, enchanted by the fragrance of my perfume. 13 My lover is like a sachet of myrrh lying between my breasts. 14 He is like a bouquet of sweet henna blossoms from the vineyards of En-gedi.

  • Is there a growing sense of endearment?


Song of Solomon 1:15–16 (NLT) — 15 How beautiful you are, my darling, how beautiful! Your eyes are like doves. 16 You are so handsome, my love, pleasing beyond words!

  • Are their words constructive or destructive?


Song of Solomon 1:16–17 (NLT) — The soft grass is our bed; 17 fragrant cedar branches are the beams of our house, and pleasant smelling firs are the rafters.

  • Is the relationship private or in the open?


Song of Solomon 2:2–3 (NLT) — 2 Like a lily among thistles is my darling among young women. 3 Like the finest apple tree in the orchard is my lover among other young men.

  • Is the communication focused and legitimate?


Song of Solomon 2:3 (NLT) — I sit in his delightful shade and taste his delicious fruit.

  • Do you feel safe?


Song of Solomon 2:4 (NLT) — 4 He escorts me to the banquet hall; it’s obvious how much he loves me.

  • Is there a healthy sense of pride in the relationship?


Song of Solomon 2:5–6 (NLT) — 5 Strengthen me with raisin cakes, refresh me with apples, for I am weak with love. 6 His left arm is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.

  • Is the chemistry growing?


Song of Solomon 2:7 (NLT) — 7 Promise me, O women of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and wild deer, not to awaken love until the time is right.

  • Is there restraint?


Season of Courting:

Song of Solomon 2:8–15 (NLT) — 8 Ah, I hear my lover coming! He is leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills. 9 My lover is like a swift gazelle or a young stag. Look, there he is behind the wall, looking through the window, peering into the room. 10 My lover said to me, “Rise up, my darling! Come away with me, my fair one! 11 Look, the winter is past, and the rains are over and gone. 12 The flowers are springing up, the season of singing birds has come, and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air. 13 The fig trees are forming young fruit, and the fragrant grapevines are blossoming. Rise up, my darling! Come away with me, my fair one!” 14 My dove is hiding behind the rocks, behind an outcrop on the cliff. Let me see your face; let me hear your voice. For your voice is pleasant, and your face is lovely. 15 Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming!

  • There is a transition from dating to courtship.
  • Courtship is exclusive.
  • Focus on communication.
    • Past
    • Future
    • Expectations
    • Being yourself

Copyright © 2024, Bethany Church, All Rights Reserved.

Contact Us • (225) 774-1700