Embracing Singleness: Trusting God's Plan for Relationships

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Identity in Christ

True humility involves confidently embracing the identity God has given us, allowing Him to lead our lives, and being content in the season He has placed us. Whether in singleness or a relationship, finding our identity in Christ liberates us from the world's pressures and expectations, granting us the freedom to live for an audience of One.

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." (Colossians 3:12-14)

Reflection: How does your current season of life, whether single or in a relationship, reflect your identity in Christ and what steps can you take to live more fully for Him? [54:50]

Day 2: Valued Beyond Marital Status

The church must be a place where individuals are seen and valued for who they are in Christ, not for their marital status. Understanding that our worth is rooted in our identity as children of God, not in whether we are single or married, reshapes our self-perception and how we interact within the church community.

"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'" (1 Samuel 16:7)

Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to creating a church environment that values individuals for their hearts and character over their relationship status? [56:05]

Day 3: Discipleship as Imitation of Christ

Discipleship is about becoming like Jesus in thought, word, and deed. The upcoming church campaign is an opportunity to learn and grow together, both on Sundays and in small groups, as we strive to emulate Christ in every aspect of our lives.

"Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked." (1 John 2:6)

Reflection: What is one specific way you can walk as Jesus walked this week, and how can you hold yourself accountable to this change? [57:25]

Day 4: Trusting God in Seasons of Waiting

The journey through seasons of waiting and purification is often when we hear God's voice most clearly. Like Elijah in the cave, we must remain where God has placed us, trusting that He is at work even when we cannot see it. This trust prepares our hearts for God's purposes, in singleness or in a relationship.

"And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper." (1 Kings 19:12)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart of trust and patience during this season of waiting, and what practical steps can you take to listen for God's whisper? [51:36]

Day 5: Healing Before New Relationships

Healing from past hurts is essential before entering a new relationship. Allowing God, the ultimate healer, to restore our hearts is crucial for approaching dating and marriage with a whole and healthy spirit, representing the covenant of marriage as God intended.

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3)

Reflection: What is one area of past hurt that you need to bring before God for healing, and how can you actively seek His restoration in your life? [52:14]

Sermon Summary

In my sermon, I addressed the complexities and challenges of Christian singleness and dating within the church community. I began by discussing the benefits of being single, highlighting the financial savings, the opportunity for individual growth, and the freedom of spontaneity. I emphasized the importance of knowing oneself before seeking a partner and the value of congregating in church to meet like-minded Christian singles.

I then tackled the issue of the apparent scarcity of single Christian men in the church, acknowledging the pressures and expectations placed on men and women within the church community. I shared my personal experiences and the importance of self-control, setting boundaries, and establishing disciplines to maintain purity before marriage.

I also spoke candidly about the dangers of dating multiple people simultaneously, which can lead to confusion and hurt. I stressed the importance of focusing on God's will and timing rather than trying to fill a void with human companionship. I encouraged singles to trust in God's plan for their lives, whether that includes marriage or a life of dedicated singleness.

Furthermore, I addressed the topic of physical attraction in relationships, advising that while it is important, it should not be the sole basis for pursuing a relationship. I shared my own story of how God grew attraction in my heart for my partner as I got to know her character and heart for God.

I concluded by reminding the congregation of the upcoming church-wide campaign and the importance of joining life groups to grow in discipleship. I also announced the new classes at Lab University, including a class on how to have a balanced life, which I will be teaching.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Proverbs 3:5-6, what are we instructed to do with our trust and understanding?
In 1 Corinthians 7:32-35, what are the differences in concerns between an unmarried and a married person?
What does 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 say about God's will for our sanctification and how we should control our bodies?
From the sermon, what are some benefits of being single that were highlighted? ([04:12])

Interpretation Questions

How does trusting in the Lord with all your heart (Proverbs 3:5-6) apply to the context of singleness and dating within the church community?
What might Paul mean in 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 when he says that an unmarried person can be more devoted to the Lord’s affairs? How does this perspective align with the sermon’s discussion on the benefits of singleness? ([04:12])
How can the instruction in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 to control our bodies in a holy and honorable way be practically applied in the context of dating and maintaining purity before marriage? ([16:36])
The sermon mentioned the importance of setting boundaries and establishing disciplines to maintain purity. How does this align with the biblical instruction in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5? ([16:36])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you struggled to trust in God's timing for your life. How can Proverbs 3:5-6 encourage you to lean not on your own understanding but to trust in His plan? ([23:43])
If you are single, how can you use this season to grow in your relationship with God and serve Him more fully, as suggested in 1 Corinthians 7:32-35? What specific steps can you take this week to focus on the Lord’s affairs?
What are some practical boundaries you can set in your dating life to maintain purity, as instructed in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5? How can you communicate these boundaries to your partner? ([16:36])
The sermon emphasized the importance of healing from past hurts before entering a new relationship. What steps can you take to allow God to heal your heart and prepare you for a future relationship? ([52:14])
How can you support and encourage single men and women in your church community to feel seen and valued, regardless of their marital status? ([56:05])
The sermon mentioned the dangers of dating multiple people simultaneously. Have you ever experienced confusion or hurt from such situations? How can you focus on God’s will and timing in your dating life? ([41:35])
Think about a specific area in your life where you need to practice self-control. What disciplines can you establish to help you grow in this area, and how can you seek accountability from others in your church community? ([16:36])

Sermon Clips

"God's Limitless power is made perfect in limitation so just to encourage you, it does not matter what your circumstances are, it doesn't matter what biology says, none of that matters because He created all of it; He can break the rules for you, understand that." [29:04] ( | | )

"I think the question should be does character matter because you can be 45, 60, 70, 80 and you can still be a fool. So it is very important for us to know that your character is what matters." [29:53] ( | | )

"God sees us, regardless of your age, you don't have a Scarlet letter on you. He knows you inwardly and he knows you outwardly and so even when you feel maybe abandoned or not alone, God sees you and he loves you." [56:05] ( | | )

"I'm confident in who God made me to be and I am humble enough to let him take the wheel. I'm humble enough to stay exactly where he has me. I'm humble enough to be single because I'm chasing Him." [55:25] ( | | )

"Let go of what your idea of your life is supposed to look like. Let It Go, cast it at His feet because His idea is way better. Don't lose heart and truly humble yourself, allow God to do what He's going to do." [24:23] ( | | )

"God is way far away from where boundary is, so you need to stick as close to God and as close to what He wants as possible. Set up disciplines that keep you from even getting close to those boundaries." [17:06] ( | | )

"Being able to talk to them and them giving me some encouragement, and in those moments calling them right away, not waiting till the next day, calling them right away in those moments helps." [22:29] ( | | )

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to our own understanding but in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct our path. So if we continue to trust in Him, He will guide us." [23:43] ( | | )

"We need to be really careful with how we approach church. We need to be careful as women what we wear to church because there's so much more to your spiritual life than idolizing the 'I do'." [13:19] ( | | )

"Depression is a real thing and I know the church doesn't like to talk about it but it exists. It's a silent killer and that's nothing but the enemy trying to bring you out of the calling that God has for you." [54:13] ( | | )

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