Single Adults in the Family of God
Pray – (1/2 minute)
Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry. . . . I say this as a concession, not as a command. I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am.” (1 Corinthians 7:1, 6-8)
Passage: Psalm 46:8-11
A Sunday School teacher asked her children’s class what they thought the Bible says about marriage. One boy replied, “Forgive them, for they know not what they do.” When it comes to marriage, many don’t know what they are doing. They don’t know God’s design is for marriage to be a covenant between one man and one woman for life. In marriage, God designed for two to become one. One is a whole number and it is a number important to God. The triune Godhead of Father, Son and Holy Spirit is three in one. The church is composed of many members, but it is one body. While it is one body, each member is also one in personal relationship with God.
The church in Corinth was a church influenced by the pagan world around them and they had questions for Paul about marriage, particularly about those who were believers, but their spouse was not. Paul’s response was not anti-marriage, but he encouraged singleness as a strong, viable option for those who were not married. Principles he laid out apply to all believers, married or single, but his word is especially focused for those who are single. God has designed life to be lived single or married and He wants the best for you regardless of which condition you are in now. You are important to God!
Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)