Single Minded Singleness | Randy Frazee | Fit to Fight for the Family

Fit to Fight

Jun 27

Teaching Notes

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”
Joshua 24:15

Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.
1 Corinthians 7:17

A Christian single should live as a believer.

Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. (vs. 25)

Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is. Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.
1 Corinthians 7:26-28

What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; (vs. 29)

…those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. (v.s 30-31)

I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife—and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. (vs. 32-35)

A Christian single can be fully devoted to kingdom causes

If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing. So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better. (vs. 36-38)

Christian singles are called to live sexually pure lives.

The majority of studies now conclude that premarital cohabitation is associated with

increased risk of divorce
a lower quality of marriage
poorer marital communication
and higher levels of domestic violence

Going Deeper Discussion

Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.
1 Corinthians 7:17

What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
v.s 29-31

Here Paul is encouraging both singles and married people to act like believers within those relational contexts.

1. What are a few misconceptions about singleness in culture that are challenging for an unmarried Christ follower?

2. What are a few misconceptions about marriage and culture that are challenging for married Christ followers?

3. In verses 29 through 31 Paul is essentially telling us that life is short so prioritize the kingdom of God above everything else. In the context of your most important relationships what does it look like to keep God's kingdom priorities in front while at the same time honoring him in those relationships? Will it make those relationships better or worse? How so?