Before We Get Started

For our discussion today we will be using the sermon series discussion guides. If you would like to follow along you can access this discussion guide on the website at mosaicchurchaustin.com and then select “community group resources” in the menu options.

Prayer

Because the main goal of our time together is to establish relationships and learn how to walk with one another in all that God has called us to be and do, we’d like to begin by praying for one another. So, does anyone have anything you’d like us to pray for, or  anything to share regarding how you’ve seen God moving in your life that we can celebrate together.

This Week’s Topic

Today, we begin a new series titled Family. We will be taking a lo0k at what Scripture has to say when it comes to singleness, marriage, and parenting. If God has called us, singles, marrieds, and families, to be one big family together, then we need to better understand how to love, serve, and walk together in these different stages of life.

Today’s Topic

A Theology of Singleness

Discussion Questions

How have the last couple of years made (singleness, marriage, parenting) difficult for you?

1 Corinthians 7:6-9

“Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”

What would you say is our cultural view/message when it comes to singleness?

Why do you think that is the case?

How does Paul’s writing in 1 Cor. 7 confront that cultural view?

How does that Biblical view bring freedom when it comes to singleness?

John 1:12-13

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”  

Romans 8:14-17

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”

How does the biblical view  (Paul’s view) of family differ from our cultural view of family?

How does that view elevate the idea of singleness?

Why do you think we are so tempted to find our value and worth in relationships with others? 

Closing Thought

2 Corinthians 5:16-18

“From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…”

What is your identity in Christ?

What role does knowing your identity in Christ play in feeling whole regardless of your relational status?