As I shared in last week’s blog post, there are more opportunities to connect with others online than ever before. There are social media groups and non-dating-app-platforms for pretty much everyone, so I encourage you all to find that group for you while we remain in this quarantine/stay-at-home season to stay safe and healthy. Are you looking to join these groups to connect with other singles, find someone to date, or both?
Some Do’s and Don’ts before you sign up
It’s fair to want either outcome when you join specifically a singles group online, but it’s important that you show up to these groups with the right intentions. Sure, you may be interested in wanting to meet and date new people, not necessarily make friends, but slow down for a second. Be open and willing to make new friendships. Don’t be desperate or thirsty to hop into some DMs of the opposite sex because they are single and attractive to you. Take some time to engage and showcase who you are within the group without trying hard to be seen. Don’t try to force arrangements and meetings (on and offline), you just need to show up and be positive about the experience.
Legit question: how can someone get to know you if you’re closed off and not willing to share with others? We can also get into these groups and we end up turning off the notifications and missing the key opportunities to connect with others and build a good repute with others. Ruth was seen by Boaz because she was participating/working in the fields. She received favor from Boaz because he asked about her and people had good things to say about her (Read Ruth 2 for context). Ruth received favor not because she showed up on the scene and was standoffish, not speaking to anyone; she was faithful in minding her Father’s business.
What you should be looking for in a group
Accountability, buidling connections with like-minded people, real talk and mentoring from happily married people are several great benefits of joining a quality social media group for Christian singles. You should be benefitting from it in some way, whether you’re challenged, inspired, or gaining companionship.
What you need to be doing in a group
Again, the idea to is be participating, not lurking! Each of these groups have a purpose, so make sure that you know what the group was created for before committing to it. In order for a group to grow and thrive, the members need to put in as well as receive. Taking time to make posts and comments, keeping a positive attitude, developing friendships with both same and opposite sex members (use discernment), and sow good so that you shall reap good.
What you can be doing after quarantine
Once we are able to go out in public again post-quarantine, this will be your opportunity to be intentional about taking your relationships and connections to the next level: in-person. Set up in-person meet ups in groups, be intentional about going out on your own, and setting up time to meet with others.
If you get the opportunity, make time to go out on dates and make up birthday get-togethers with friends/family who had to stay home during quarantine. Spend some time with a married couple that you admire and glean from their wisdom and real-life experience on how to approach preparing for marriage and marriage itself.
So now that we’ve covered that, I’m sharing some of the singles groups/pages on Facebook that I would recommend for you all to look into joining. These are not dating services, but places to connect online with like-minded singles who have different purposes, so look into each group, their purpose, and join what best suits where you are trying to be in the next season:
- Married & Young | Saved and Single
- No Single Left Behind
- Singles Exchange
- New Life Southeast First Love Single’s Ministry
- Pursuit Singles
- Groups related to your professional work or passion/interests (art, business, spirituality, etc.)
