Single LiSTeNeRs

Connect: Share something that you enjoyed doing when you were single. If single, what do you enjoy doing now?

Surrender: Prayer for Singles. Each person could read a paragraph while the others listen for their own spiritual benefit or to use it as a guide to pray for singles they know.

I am God, you must know that I love you. I even sent my only son to die for you. You must know that I will never forsake you and I will never leave you alone. I will be with you always, even when you fail to return my affection I am patient with you.

I know that you long to give yourself to another person and have a deeply intimate relationship with them. You have wanted for some time to be loved thoroughly, exclusively, and unconditionally by another person. Please know that I want you to have your heart’s desire but right now I am asking you to wait.

Wait until you are satisfied with being loved by me alone, for I am a jealous God and I must know that you will have no other gods before me. Wait until you can find fulfillment in an intensely personal and unique relationship with me alone. Wait until you can be content with the knowledge that only in me is your satisfaction to be found. When you are ready, I have planned the perfect relationship for you. However, you are not ready for another relationship until you are committed to me exclusive of anyone or anything else, even your most secret desires and longings.

My beloved, I want you to have the best. Don't become discouraged, just keep expecting great things. Keep listening to me and talking with me. Keep learning the things that I'm trying to teach you. You just wait. Don't you be anxious, don't worry, don't even look at what others have or what I've given them. Don't become distracted by the things you think you want. Just keep looking ahead and up to Me, or you may miss what I want to show you.

When you are ready, I'll surprise you with a love far more wonderful than any you would have dreamed of. You see, until you are ready and until the one I have for you is ready, your union cannot perfectly reflect my love for you. When both of you are ready I will unite you with my blessing and your union will more perfectly reflect our relationship.

Know that I am God, and I love you. ---- Author Unknown

Grow: Here are a bunch of questions; pick a handful to work through with the group.

How did God speak to you this past Sunday?

Had you ever thought of singleness as a gift from God?
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7:8 , “Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. Can you think of reasons why it would be good for people to stay unmarried?

1 Corinthians 7:17 & 20 says to retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to you and to which God has called you. What does that say to you about your work situation, family situation, your church situation or any other situation?

For singles: What would it look like for you to accept singleness as a gift from God?

Romans 8:28
In all things God works for the good of those who love him. What does mean to you today?

The goal of marriage should be Christ-like-ness not happiness. Happiness is an outcome of a marriage where both spouses are becoming more like Christ. Do you believe this? Why or why not?

How is the greener grass syndrome affecting you today?

1 Corinthians 7:28 says, “Those who marry will face many troubles in this life and I want to spare you this.” What do you think of Paul’s premarital counseling approach?

If you are always looking at the other side of the fence, you will never enjoy what’s on your side. Any comments on this?

Develop:

Discuss if your group will take a break for the summer and how/when that will happen.

This is a good week to begin asking for feedback from the group on what has been helpful and what has not been helpful in the past weeks of LIFE Group.

Share:

It is time to get the outreach events on the calendar.

• Push your group to evaluate your options and choose one.
• Remember to think relationally (How will this help us connect relationally with pre-Christians?).
• Invite pre-Christians to join you. Example: we ministered this weekend to an elderly woman who recently attempted suicide. We invited her neighbors to join us in doing some work around her house and playing Scrabble with her. We were able to share Christ’s love with her neighbors too.