Faith For a Mate

The animated program “Faith For a Mate,” is produced by Single Adult Ministry.

Program Description

For single women futilely awaiting the pursuit of a good man, this animated course delivers a strong, biblical, counter-cultural message about finding a mate.

The lack of single men in church is only one of several reasons why single women can find it difficult to meet and marry a suitable man. This animated course identifies additional reasons using the lens of scripture. Based on the stories of three women of the Bible, the course uncovers hidden truths from the text, helps single women identify blind spots in their relationship quest, and leads students towards authentic faith for a mate. Popular Bible passages such as "He who finds a wife.." (Proverbs 18:22) are also analysed, compared and contrasted, and the conclusions drawn might surprise you.

The course was developed from the best seminar material created by the Single Adult Ministry, based in the UK.

Lesson 1: Zipporah

How Zipporah met Moses. You will learn to read and respond to signals that can initiate a relationship

Lesson 2: Ruth

How Ruth met Boaz. You will discover why good men sometimes don't pursue good women, and what women can do about it.

Lesson 3: Eve

How Eve met Adam: You will learn how a woman's manoeuvres can help a man identify his future wife.

Lesson 4: Finders, Hunters and Leaders

Single men are expected to be all three of these. But learn how a distorted view of these roles, keep many women from meeting their mate.

Lesson 5: Faith in Action

Learn how to translate all the lessons from the course into practical applications.

I’d like to take the opportunity to say that I am not affiliated with the Single Adult Ministry.

It’s really interesting to hear about and reflect on what the Bible says about how some relationships were initiated. The Bible does not give us the practical details of how to meet someone, but as Faith For a Mate points out, it gives us examples that we can glean information from to help us in the process of finding a life partner.

Lesson 1: Zipporah - Moses’ wife (Exodus 2:16-21)

Main Points

• Zipporah and her sisters were driven away when they tried to draw water at the well.

• Moses stood up for them and helped them, watering their flock for them

• Zipporah’s father questioned her and her sisters’ early arrival home and when they told him what Moses had done, he:

  • Asked them where Moses was.

  • Why they had left him

  • Then told them to go and get him to share a meal with them

Faith For a Mate offers comments and reflections on the actions of Jethro, Zipporah’s father and his daughters. There are also some reflections on Moses’ actions.

Faith For a Mate then translates this meeting into practical terms for one kind of way a relationship can be initiated.

Lesson 2: Ruth and Boaz (The Book of Ruth)

• We get an overview of Naomi’s life in Moab and her journey to Bethlehem with Ruth

• The commentary focuses on points that transcend time and cultures

• Boaz’s protective behaviour towards Ruth

• Boaz’s lack of pursuit

Naomi’s initiative for Ruth (3:1-13) and Ruth’s obedience

• Boaz’s response to Ruth’s actions

• Ruth’s marriage proposal and Boaz’s reaction

• Reflections on Boaz’s view of Ruth being virtuous, even though she proposed to him

• Reflective questions and comments about why Boaz didn’t pursue Ruth.

Faith For a Mate then translates this meeting into practical terms for another way a relationship can be initiated - when the woman pursues the man. I like how it offers caution as to how this should be done, first and foremost under prayer, so the Lord can guide the words and actions.

Lesson 3: Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:18-24)

Has focus on

• God made Adam a helper

• Eve was made from Adam

• Eve was brought to Adam and the implications of the word “brought”

• Adam was pleased with Eve

• Adam and Eve were considered one flesh

Faith For a Mate then translates how this relationship was initiated into practical terms and reflects on how some women assume God will bring a man into their lives, when these verses state that Eve was brought to Adam.

Faith For a Mate compares what we have learned from a cultural aspect to what the Bible says.

Lesson 4: Finders, Hunters and Leaders

Faith For a Mate draws on the account of Jacob and Esau to reflect on the notion that all men should have a “hunter” mentality. Genesis 25:24-28.

It also makes some good points about a hunter being used in the context of hunting for food, not for a mate, as women are not prey. Faith For a Mate also has some good reflections on how the notion of men being the hunters can be tied to the false doctrine of evolution.

Lesson 5: Faith in Action

Faith For a Mate gives some practical advice about how relationships can be started and what things we need to think about. Most importantly, it encourages reading God’s Word about it and praying during the whole process.

Proverbs 4 speaks of the wisdom in God’s Word and the safety in keeping it. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us not to worry, but to take our cares to God, who will give us peace: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, shall guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Renewed Faith Media’s Sabbath radio plays a melody to this scripture verse by the Christian ministry, Trilogy Scripture Songs. I have learned this Bible verse because of this melody and it provides comfort when worry presents itself.

Faith For a Mate encourages discussion and counsel, based on God’s Word. Proverbs 11:14 - Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.

Faith For a Mate encouraged me to revisit how other couples in the Bible met. Take Isaac and Rebekah, for example. An extraordinary account of a request by Abraham for his son, Isaac, leading to a prayer by his servant and a miracle from God. You can find this account in Genesis Chapter 24. I encourage you to read it. God is amazing!

Faith For a Mate does have some reflections about the man needing to be the head of the house that I think are misguided. They quote, 1 Cor 11:3, Eph 5:23 - which mirrors the man’s role as the head of the woman, as Christ is the head of the church. But then say, if this is the case, how do we explain Boaz? Implying that Ruth pursuing Boaz made her the head.

The account of Boaz in the Book of Ruth 1-4, which describes Ruth pursuing Boaz and making a marriage proposal in no way, shape or form, says that the woman is supposed to be the head of the man - the man’s role is clearly stated in 1 Cor 11:3, Eph 5:23 and others verses in the Bible.

The account in Ruth simply describes how Ruth, by the counsel of her former mother in-law, Naomi, humbled herself and asked Boaz to take care of her, which in itself makes a clear statement about who the head was.

SUMMARY

Faith For a Mate is an short animated program that encourages the Word of God as the foundation of our lives with a focus on finding a husband. It encourages people to hold onto their Christian values and to be open as to how a future relationship can be initiated, by looking at the examples the Word of God gives and prayerfully taking action.

I watched Faith For a Mate via www.christiancinema.com

Thank you for reading this review. Until next time, peace be with you

NB! The links I reference for my films is the source I used, but it is not an endorsement of the entire film streaming company. I am sure this particular film can be found on various digital streaming companies.