"THE CHRISTIAN HOME AND FAMILY"
The Duties Of Singles
INTRODUCTION
1. Lessons presented on "The Christian Home And Family"
commonly...
a. Discuss the challenges and duties of marriage and family
b. Describe the responsibilities of spouses, parents,
and children
2. In many cases, little is said concerning those who are single...
a. Perhaps because the nuclear family is assumed to be the
norm
b. Yet many are single for various reasons (never married, divorced, widowed)
[The Bible has much to say for those in such situations, either because
of their own choice or circumstances beyond their control. Let’s begin
with those who have never been married...]
I. THE UNMARRIED
A. REASONS FOR NOT BEING MARRIED...
1. For some, it may be due to circumstance
a. Women who have never been asked to marry
b. Men who have yet to find a woman to accept their proposal
2. For others, it may be due to choice
a. There are times when single may be the best choice - 1Co 7:25-28
b. Some choose singleness in service to God - Mt 19:11-12; 1Co 7:7-8
B. THE DUTIES OF THOSE UNMARRIED...
1. Marry, if necessary to avoid fornication - 1Co 7:1-2,7-9
a. Marriage is an honorable way to avoid fornication
b. Of course, this presumes one has a scriptural right to marry
2. Remain chaste, if not married - 1Co 6:9-11,18-20
a. Sexual intimacy outside of marriage is fornication
b. The body is to not to be used for sexual immorality
3. Use your singleness for the Lord - 1Co 7:32-35
a. Singles often have more time, less responsibilities
b. Utilize your situation to serve the Lord where others cannot
[Now let’s consider another category of singles...]
II. THE DIVORCED
A. REASONS FOR BEING DIVORCED...
1. For some, it may be for scriptural reasons
a. They put away their spouses for fornication - Mt 19:9
b. Or they realized they were in an unlawful marriages - cf. Mk 6:18
2. For others, it may be for unscriptural reasons
a. They were put away for no fault of their own
b. Or they put away their spouse for reasons other than fornication
B. THE DUTIES OF THOSE DIVORCED...
1. Return to your spouse if possible - 1Co 7:10-11
a. In an effort to reconcile and restore the marriage
b. Especially if the reason was not for fornication
2. Avoid an adulterous marriage - Mt 5:31-32; Ro 7:2-3
a. It is possible for a marriage to result in adultery
b. Unless fornication was the cause of divorce, remarriage is adultery!
3. Remarry only on scriptural grounds - Mt 19:9
a. Where fornication was the cause of the divorce
b. In which the innocent party put away the guilty party
[Finally, consider what the Scriptures teach concerning...]
III. THE WIDOWED
A. THE YOUNG WIDOW...
1. Paul counsels the young widow to marry again - 1Ti 5:14
2. To avoid idleness, gossip, becoming a busybody - 1Ti 5:13
3. Of course, this presumes that one is willing to marry her
B. THE AGED WIDOW...
1. To trust in God, serve Him in prayer - 1Ti 5:5
2. Like Anna did - cf. Lk 2:36-38
CONCLUSION
1. Singleness, whether by choice or circumstance, can be a blessing...
a. Freedom from care in times of distress or persecution - 1Co 7:26-28,32
b. Freedom to serve the Lord in ways that the married cannot - 1Co 7:32-35
2. Singleness does have it disadvantages...
a. The danger of temptation
b. The danger of loneliness
c. The danger of self-centeredness
3. Should you find yourself in the condition of being single...
a. Use your freedom to serve God
b. Watch out for dangers of being single
c. Remember that you are in the family of God - Mk 10:29-30
Whatever our circumstances, married or single, may we follow God’s Word
and glorify Him with our families and our lives...!
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011
