STARTER

PRAY

Lord, help us to believe Your word as You tell us about how we have been created for SINGLE...MARRIAGE.

"Single...Marriage”

Paul has had messages brought to him about the problems in the Corinthian church. Corinth was a city and culture much like ours today with all kinds of options for wealth, entertainment, experiences, and pleasure.

In this letter, God has Paul focus on the necessity of us seeing our identity in Jesus. He exposes His frustration over divisions because of the lack of understanding and acting in wisdom. He clarifies His desire and purpose for them to be spiritual people who will be found faithful in sincereity and truth. He then addresses settling disputes in the church and of course that naturally takes him to relationships and marriage. God has Paul answer their questions about sex, marriage, divorce, and relationships helping them see the importance of SINGLE...MARRIAGE.

READ 1 Corinthians 6:19-7:40

  1. What issue/issues is Paul addressing in these verses?

  2. In light of Christ as the bridegroom and His bride the church, why do you think God has Paul clearly address these issues?

  3. Are Paul’s answers to be applied only to that group of believers in Corinth or to all believers for all time? Why?

  4. Why do you think our culture and unfortunately even Christian culture pushes back against what God says in this passage just like the church in Corinth did?

  5. Paul leads into Chapter 7 saying that our lives are no longer our own because of MARRIAGE (the Church and human). How does this fly back in the face or a culture of individuals demanding their rights?

  6. How does living out the call to follow Christ in the context of a local church family help lead us to our call to biblical SINGLENESS and/or MARRIAGE?

  7. When Paul says glorify Chirst in your body this is both an individual and a church body reference. Why is that vital to understand if we are going to trust and obey God in SINGLENESS and MARRIAGE?

  8. Discuss how the Bible clarifies how the created purposes of MARRIAGE, including the intimate human sexual marital relationship, are sanctification, procreation, recreation, protection?

  9. What does Paul say about divorce?

    In light of Matthew 5:36-37, if we go against our word what should we recognize and what should be our response?

  10. Paul points to contentment in our circumstances as a key to walking with the Lord and preparing ourselves for the next steps? Why?