Singleness

Sunday 19^th October 2003

Session 17

1) Setting the Scene

Stereo-typical singles

Singleness is diverse

‘With billions of people in the world somebody should be able to figure out a system where no one is lonely’

God’s picture that He’s painting called ‘family’

Society – There are currently 17 million single people in the UK, making up a 1/3 of the population. , by the year 2010 this is set to rise to 40%. One in 5 Britons use dating agencies.

‘We live in a world that ‘shouts’ relationships’.

Church – 1991 EA study – single people make up 35% of church population. Single women make up a ¼ of the adult evangelical population compared to single men who make up 1/10^th!!

‘Sometimes the only ticket into church is marriage rather than salvation’

2) Painting the Picture

Loneliness and Isolation

‘Sometimes it feels like I’m standing in a crowded room screaming at the top of my voice yet no-one is listening’

Introspection

Fears

Affection and Intimacy

Social Life

Decisions

3) Adding the Colour

Married:

God’s picture of family – community & inclusivity.

Psalm 68 v 6 ‘God sets the lonely in families’. (NIV)

Don’t say stupid things!

Knock down some barriers and build some bridges

Single:

Singleness as a gift!

Carpe Deum

1 Corinthians 7 v 17 ‘And don't be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God's place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there. God, not your marital status, defines your life.’ (The Message)

Attitude

Be real and develop coping strategies!

Don’t become over-dependent

Don’t become self-absorbed

Glean all you can from the best

Trust God

4) Trusting the Artist

The gift of every day and the choice of every day

Making the very best of the script

A Personal Mission Statement!

Jeremiah 29 v 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

M.o.T. check-points

55) Do I genuinely treasure and make the most of the gift (Singleness/Marriage) that God has given me?

56) Am I pro-actively inclusive and affirming of others, irrespective of their marital status?

57) How do we as a church ‘figure out a system where no-one is lonely’? (Practical Reality)

Exercise

Bullet point your own ‘personal mission statement’, doesn’t necessarily have to be as prescriptive as the one seen today, but points that convey a heart attitude of wanting to live life to the full and portray God’s picture of family that He longs to paint.

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