Restoring Us: Singleness

Bob Schwahn | Lead Pastor | June 30, 2024

1 Corinthians 7:26b-31 (NIV)
I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is. Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

Matthew 22:29-30 (NIV)
Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.

Hebrews 12:1b-2 (NIV)
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

LIES WE BELIEVE ABOUT SINGLENESS:

1. Singleness means FAILURE.
2. Singleness means no INTIMACY …

2 Samuel 1:26 (NIV)

3. Singleness means no FAMILY.

Mark 3:33-35 (NIV)
“Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.
Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

Matthew 19:28-29 (NIV)
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.

Reflection Questions:

1. What aspects of church culture can make it challenging for single people?
2. What perspectives about singleness do we need to have in order to navigate singleness in a healthy and biblical way?
3. What is God’s perspective on singleness?
4. What are some wrong perspectives we can have about singleness? What are some lies we can believe about being single?
5. Why is important for all people in a church family to have the perspective that singleness is valuable and viable way to live out our walk of faith?
6. Reflect on these statements… Singleness does mean no intimacy. Intimacy does not mean romance/sex. Agree or Disagree? Explain. How can single people cultivate intimacy outside of romantic/sexual relationships?
7. How can married people in a church family love and care for single people? And vice versa? What are tangible ways we can love and support each other?
8. If you are married, do you have single people from the church that are close to you? How could you grow your connection with them?
9. Read Matthew 22:23-29. Why is it important to remember that none of us will be married for eternity in heaven? How does that reality impact your thinking? How does that reality change the way we view marriage and singleness?

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Notes Page: https://journeybozeman.com/sermons/notes/2024.06.30.pdf