Just wanted to share the outline to a teaching Brenda and I did a while back on being single in a married world….I love this teaching that gives biblical insight into some of the good things about being single.

LIVING SINGLE IN A MARRIED WORLD
Pastor Steve and Brenda Lummer

1. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE SINGLE?
(how some people view singleness)
1. Singleness:  A PROBLEM.

2. Singleness:  A TRAGEDY
3. Singleness: A TRANSITION

4. Singleness: AN OPPORTUNITY

2. MYTHS THAT MAKE US MISERABLE

Myth #1 – Marriage is THE God-ordained lifestyle.
“I wish everyone could get along without marrying, just as do. But we are not all the same. God gives some the gift of a husband or wife, and others he gives the gift of being able to stay happily unmarried. So I say to those who aren’t married and to widows, better to stay unmarried if you can, just as I am.”  1 Corinthians 7.7-8 (The Living Bible)

Myth #2 – The GRASS IS GREENER on the other side.
“Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are. Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife.” 1 Corinthians 7.26-27
“I am trying to spare you the extra problems that come with marriage.” 1 Corinthians 7.28 (New Living Translation)

Myth #3 – My life + SOMEONE ELSE = happiness
“I’ve Teamed by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.”  Philippians 4.11-13 (The Message)

Myth #4 – Singleness = LONELINESS , while marriage = intimacy.

3. BEING SINGLE AND SATISFIED
Contentment is the result of an eternal perspective.
“Now let me say this … The time that remains is very short, so husbands should not let marriage be their major concern … for this world and all it contains will pass away. In everything you do, I want you to be free from the concerns of this life.”  1 Corinthians 7.29-32 (New Living Translation)

Singles have an advantage in knowing and serving God.
“…some choose not to marry for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 19.12a (NLT)
“An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. But a married man can’t do that so well. He has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife.” 1 Corinthians 7:32-33 (New Living Translation)

One is a WHOLE NUMBER
“And you are complete in him…” Colossians 2.10 (King James)
“God gives the gift of the single life to some, the gift of the married life to others.” 1 Corinthians 7.7(The Message)
Leave the “hunting” for romantic attachment to God.
“Because of the present crisis, I think it is best to remain just as you are. If you have a wife, do not end the marriage. If you do not have a wife, do not get married. But if you do get married, it is not a sin. And if a young woman gets married, it is not a sin.”  1 Corinthians 7.25-27 (New Living Translation)

How singles can respond to their marital state:
They can GRIPE.
They can GRAB.
They can GROW.