Living Single But Not Alone - 1 Corinthians 7:7-8, 28-34
Dr. Kevin D. Glenn: Lead Pastor
6/5/22

Living single can and should be celebrated within the church. After all, Paul, the person from whom we get much of our teaching on faith and life in the New Testament, was single … and apparently, he was REALLY good with it. Jesus himself, our Lord and the standard by which we understand what it means to be human, was single and celibate. This means that fulfillment in life does not depend on being married, nor on being sexually active.

Today, we explore several biblical principles on living single. These are applicable whether you are single and desire to be married, single and looking to remain that way, or if you are single again after the pain losing a spouse to death or through divorce.

1. Single life creates opportunities

responsibilities. - 1 Corinthians 7: 7, Matthew 19:10-12
• Jesus and Paul both say singleness doesn’t come easy for everyone.
• Your gift of independence gives you an opportunity and responsibility to be an encouragement to other singles.
• Your need for interdependence creates the opportunity and responsibility to receive needed support and grow in community.

2. Don’t make God’s gifts of single life into little

. - 1 Corinthians 7:8
• Healthy Independence – I don’t have to be married and sexually active to be content.
• Idol of Independence - I will not be tied down to commitment. Sex outside marriage feeds this as a way to attempt intimacy without vulnerability.
• Healthy Interdependence – I won’t lose my identity in sharing life with someone I love.
• Idol of Interdependence - I must get married to be fulfilled and complete. Sex outside marriage feeds this as an imitation of dependence without commitment.

3. Marriage is

, so single life is a

Reveal Answer

life. - 1 Corinthians 7:27-28, 28, 32-35, Song of Solomon 8:6-7, Genesis 2:18, 28
• Because of the influence of sin, marriage is not now the source of mutually loving, influence it was designed to be.
• Marriage brings limitations and concerns that are not present for singles.
• While it’s often not described as such (even by singles), the scriptures are clear that single living is not just good, it’s often preferable.

Questions to Ponder
• Given that Jesus and Paul were single and celibate, why do many Christians still understand singles to be immature, incomplete, or otherwise less prepared for life married people?
• Discuss the gifts of dependence and interdependence. In what ways have you seen these function in a healthy way? How have you seen or experienced them as an idol?
• How do you respond to the “spiritualized” way these idols are seen among Christians?
• Discuss how sin has corrupted the way husbands and wives relate to one another.
• Are you surprised at how blatantly Paul addresses the troubles of marriage?
• Are you looking to your marriage or your single life or any other relationship for complete fulfillment? Only Jesus can provide that. Is he your source of contentment?