Over the last few weeks, we’ve been dealing with some challenging relational issues in 1 Corinthians. As Christians, we may want to bury our heads in the sand, but it’s important that we know what God’s will is regarding sexuality, marriage, divorce etc.
This week’s message was built around the idea that our relationships of marriage or singleness are a gift from God. Paul tells us,
‘I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.’ (1 Corinthians 7:7)
Jesus said something similar,
'The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.” Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given.’ (Matthew 19:10-11)
It’s vital that we understand that our relational circumstances are under our Father’s sovereign rule. Being married, single, divorced, widowed must be embraced with hopeful faith. We can find joy and life if we will walk with Jesus in the life that we have. Sometimes people want to escape their marriage and some people want to escape being single and this is understandable. However, it’s important that we see that being married or single are ‘your own gift from God’.
(Note: I’m aware that the contents of the messages and studies over the last few weeks could be challenging for some. Please do talk to a pastor in the church if you need support or have concerns).
COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
Do you have any encouragements to share from how God has been speaking to you from His word recently?
3. Recap of Sunday's message - please share in your group
On Sunday, we continued with our series 'Becoming Love' from the book of 1 Corinthians. This church has been infected by false teachers who are teaching that sexual sin is okay. Some, are also teaching that to refrain from sex in marriage is a good thing. Some are teaching that divorce is also fine.
Paul corrects them. He urges them to embrace and invest in the gift of marriage or singleness that God has given.
i) PURSUE YOUR GIFT OF MARRIAGE
'The husband should fulfil his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.' (1 Corinthians 7:3)
He corrects those who are wrongly withholding sex from their spouse. He tells them that sex is a vital part of a healthy marriage (That's not to say that sickness and other good reasons may hamper our sex lives).
ii) PURSUE YOUR GIFT OF SINGLENESS
'I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.' (1 Corinthians 7:7)
He tells them that being single is a good thing and is a gift from God.
ii) FIGHT FOR YOUR MARRIAGE
'To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.' (1 Corinthians 7:10-11)
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