restoring hopeto the family


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Small group questions—Restoring Hope to the Family 1. Describe your first “crush”. What was it about that person that drew you to them? 2. What does our society teach us about singleness today? How is it valued? 3. Have someone read Matthew 19:3-11. What do you think is Jesus’ point? Why would someone not marry for the sake of the kingdom of God?

RESTORING HOPE TO THE FAMILY Singleness

Michael Baggett, Adult Ministries Pastor, Bayside Church November 3, 2013—1344

Your story here _____________________________________________________

“Israel, what does the LORD your God want you to do? He wants you to fear him, follow all his directions, love him, and worship him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 10:12 (GW)

4. If you attended Sunday service, what insight from Michael’s teaching impacted you and why? 5. Guess what the following list of biblical characters had in common: Daniel, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Jesus, and Paul. Yep, they were all single. What does this tell you about how God uses people? 6. Take turns reading aloud from 1 Corinthians 7:1-11. What main points can you draw from this passage concerning marriage and singleness? 7. What seems to be the underlying pursuit that Paul is calling all people to? 8. Read Matthew 19:27-28. How might this be encouraging to someone who has pursued Christ at the expense of other relationships? 9. Given that about half of the people in churches today are not married, why do you think singles sometimes feel isolated in church? 10. When and why have you ever felt isolated in church? 11. How could you be an encouragement to single people with whom you have contact? 12. Pray for the people you know who are lonely.

Jesus said it like this…

“He answered: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Luke 10:27 (NIV) “I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband.” 1 Corinthians 7:32-34 (NLT)

“So prepare your minds for service and have self-control. All your hope should be for the gift of grace that will be yours when Jesus Christ is shown to you. Now that you are obedient children of God do not live as you did in the past. You did not understand, so you did the evil things you wanted. But be holy in all you do, just as God, the One who called you, is holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-15 (NCV)

1. Being a Godly husband or wife begins ________________________ you even meet him or her.

2. The___________________________ standard might lead to some level of _____________________________ or comfort.

3. God created and uses __________ to develop a _________________________ and unity that is to be distinguished from all _________________________________ relationships.

“Forget about deciding what's right for each other. Here's what you need to be concerned about: that you don't get in the way of someone else, making life more difficult than it already is.” Romans 14:13 (Msg) Honor – Showing of merited ______________________________________. One whose worth brings respect. . .

“When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 (NCV)

4. Many people want God’s blessing _____________________________ the wedding but are not willing to be a _______________________________ to God or their potential husband/wife.

5.

______________________________________

for marriage must be determined and lived

out ________________________________ the wedding.

“Each of you should know that finding a husband or wife for yourself is to be done in a holy and honorable way, not in the passionate, lustful way of people who don't know God.” 1 Thessalonians 4:4-5 (GW) 6. When we hear that God wants us to act in a holy and honorable way it means that he will take the old__________________________ and behaviors and __________________________

“Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. “ Proverbs 15:4 (NLT)

“Doing right brings freedom to honest people, but those who are not trustworthy will be caught by their own desires.” Proverbs 11:6 (NCV)

“A good man's mind is filled with honest thoughts; an evil man's mind is crammed with lies.” Proverbs 12:5 (Living)

9. To the extent that you are deceiving or being deceived, there is _____________

relationship.

them to new __________________________. 10. Are you avoiding a __________________________ relationship by being

7. Living by God-given standards provides much higher levels of __________________________

yourself?

, peace, __________________________ and joy.

8. These Godly standards are not a list of __________________________ and __________________________

__________________________

, they are intended to transform the desire of

believers so they will __________________________ Christ and __________________________ others in their relationships.

“Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me. “ John 12:25-26 (NLT)