20 Questions

Questions to Ask When Courting

Thoughtful questions to ask during courtship, helping you understand your partner's values, goals, and compatibility for a long-term relationship.

1

What are your core values and beliefs?

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Why this works

Reveals their foundation while providing insight into what principles guide their decisions and life choices.

2

What are your long-term goals and aspirations?

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Why this works

Shows their future vision while revealing their ambitions and what they hope to achieve in life.

3

How do you approach conflict and disagreement?

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Why this works

Reveals their communication style while providing insight into how they handle challenging situations in relationships.

4

What does marriage mean to you?

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Why this works

Shows their relationship philosophy while revealing their understanding of commitment and partnership.

5

What are your views on children and parenting?

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Why this works

Reveals their family planning while providing insight into whether your visions for family align.

6

How do you approach finances and money management?

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Why this works

Shows their financial habits while revealing their approach to spending, saving, and financial responsibility.

7

What role does faith or spirituality play in your life?

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Why this works

Reveals their spiritual foundation while providing insight into how faith influences their values and decisions.

8

How do you envision dividing household responsibilities?

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Why this works

Shows their expectations while revealing their views on partnership and shared domestic duties.

9

What does a healthy relationship look like to you?

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Why this works

Reveals their relationship standards while providing insight into what they expect from a partnership.

10

How do you approach personal growth and development?

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Why this works

Shows their commitment to growth while revealing their approach to self-improvement and learning.

11

What are your career ambitions and how do they fit with family life?

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Why this works

Reveals their work-life priorities while providing insight into how they balance professional and personal goals.

12

How do you handle stress and difficult emotions?

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Why this works

Shows their emotional health while revealing their coping strategies and emotional maturity.

13

What are your expectations for intimacy and affection?

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Why this works

Reveals their physical needs while providing insight into their expectations for physical and emotional intimacy.

14

How important is family to you and what role will they play?

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Why this works

Shows their family values while revealing how much influence extended family will have in your relationship.

15

What are your non-negotiables in a relationship?

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Why this works

Reveals their boundaries while providing insight into what they absolutely require from a partner.

16

How do you approach forgiveness and reconciliation?

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Why this works

Shows their grace while revealing their ability to forgive and work through relationship challenges.

17

What are your views on gender roles in marriage?

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Why this works

Reveals their expectations while providing insight into how they envision partnership and responsibilities.

18

How do you envision spending quality time together?

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Why this works

Shows their relational needs while revealing what activities and time investment they value in relationships.

19

What have you learned from past relationships?

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Why this works

Reveals their growth while providing insight into their relationship history and lessons learned.

20

How do you want to grow together as a couple?

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Why this works

Shows their future vision while revealing their commitment to mutual growth and partnership development.

Best Practices for Courtship Conversations

Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.

Best Practices

Take Your Time with Important Questions

Don't rush through important topics. Space out meaningful conversations to allow time for reflection and honest responses.

Be Honest and Vulnerable

Share your own answers to these questions and be open about your values, goals, and expectations.

Listen Without Judgment

Create a safe environment where both partners can share honestly without fear of criticism or rejection.

Question Sequences

The Values and Beliefs Focus

1
What are your core values and beliefs?
2
What role does faith or spirituality play in your life?
3
What does marriage mean to you?
4
What are your non-negotiables in a relationship?

The Future Planning

1
What are your long-term goals and aspirations?
2
What are your views on children and parenting?
3
What are your career ambitions and how do they fit with family life?
4
How do you want to grow together as a couple?

Common Pitfalls

Don't Avoid Difficult Topics

Address potentially uncomfortable subjects like finances, children, and family roles early to avoid surprises later.

Avoid Making Assumptions

Don't assume your partner shares your views on important topics. Ask explicitly and listen carefully to their answers.

Don't Rush to Commitment

Take time to truly get to know each other and ensure your values and goals align before making long-term commitments.

Conversation Templates

The Values Explorer

1
Step 1: Start with: "What are your core values and beliefs?"
2
Step 2: Follow with: "What role does faith or spirituality play in your life?"
3
Step 3: Explore with: "What does marriage mean to you?"

The Future Planner

1
Step 1: Begin with: "What are your long-term goals and aspirations?"
2
Step 2: Probe with: "What are your views on children and parenting?"
3
Step 3: Clarify with: "How do you want to grow together as a couple?"

Further Reading

"Things I Wish I'd Known Before We Got Married" by Gary Chapman
"The Meaning of Marriage" by Timothy Keller
"Before You Say 'I Do'" by H. Norman Wright and Wes Roberts

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