Message Action PlanI wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.1 Corinthians 7:7-9 (NIV)
1. Everyday heroes see their relationship status as a GIFT.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 (NIV)
Singleness teaches us about the supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus.
But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. 1 Corinthians 7:28-31 (NIV)
Action Plan: Write on a business card or leave as your phone’s home screen a message that says, “Jesus is enough”. Reference this message several times during each day this week. Whether you’re single or not, remind yourself that your personal relationship with Jesus means you are never alone and that no other relationship is as important in your life
2. Everyday heroes live for another world.
“For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Matthew 12:50 (NIV)
I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 (NIV)
Action Plan: If you are in a relationship invite Jesus to be the common center of your relationship even if he has not been in the past. As you both draw closer to Christ, you will be drawing closer to each other and reducing the friction in your personal devotion to God. Consider reading a couples devotional together everyday.
3. Everyday heroes are single for a reason.
Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.” Matthew 19:11-12 (NIV)
Action Plan: If you are single and know people who often try to push relationships on you, share this message with them and engage in a conversation about your view of singleness. Remember, singleness is not a curse but a gift
Talk through these questions below in a conversation with a friend or loved one this week.
1) What do you need to change about your perspective to see your relationship status as a gift from God?
2) How can you grow in your ability to trust The Giver?
3) Jesus says that his family are those who do the will of his Father. How do you prioritize your “church family”?
4) How does God want to use your relationship status for ministry in this season? List things that he might want to accomplish through you.
5) What change do you hope to make because of God’s message through Paul in 1 Corinthians 7?
Doable Discipleship: The Saddleback Spiritual Maturity Team recently launched a new weekly podcast called Doable Discipleship. Episodes are released every Tuesday and focus on taking topics related to what it means to follow Jesus and shares how you can start to live them out every day. It’s a perfect companion to the Message Action Plan.
For information on downloading the podcast or watching it on Youtube, go to Saddleback.com/maturity. This week’s episode features a conversation with Pastor Buddy Owens on what it means to love God with all of your heart.
