Community Groups

Series: 1 Corinthians

Title: "Marriage & Singleness - Two Gifts from God"

Text: 1 Corinthians 7:1-16

Week: 6 of 10

Outline:

1. To the Married… (vv. 1–6)

2. To the Unmarried… (vv. 7-9)

3. Regarding Divorce & Remarriage... (vv. 10-16)

My Story

1. Are you tempted to either make too much of marriage OR to make too little of marriage?  Many people live together in “trial marriages” to see if they are compatible. How would you counsel someone in this situation?

2. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of the options of being married or remaining single?  How can you discern God’s will for you when it comes to decisions about marriage?

3. What inspired or challenged you in the sermon this week? What raised questions for you?

Digging Deeper

1. Read 1 Cor 7:1-6.  How does Paul address the question that the Corinthian Church has about sex?  How do these verses emphasize the beauty of the marital relationship? 

2. Read 1 Cor 7:7-9. What advice does Paul give to the unmarried?  Why does he call singleness a gift?

3. Read 1 Cor 7:10-16.  Paul references Jesus’ teaching on divorce. Read Matthew 5:31-32; 19:3-9.  How would you summarize Jesus’ teaching on divorce?  What exception does He make for divorce? What exception does Paul make?  For what reasons do both Jesus and Paul emphasize the permanence of the marriage covenant?  In what sense is an unbelieving spouse “made holy” by the believing spouse? 

4. Are there any questions this text raises for you that were not addressed in the guide? If so, what questions do you have?