This article is designed to create a better understanding of how to embrace being single. For the next 30 days read the questions and allow them to spark deeper personal reflection and life change.

The evangelical church today favours marriage and family. Yet many believers may never marry or were once married but no longer are. There are challenges and opportunities single Christians face that married Christians do not and vice versa. By God’s grace the challenges can be faced and the opportunities may be seized and you can truly embrace your singleness as a gift.

1. Read Genesis 2:7,15. God made the first single person and gave him purposeful work. In what ways does your work not depend on your marital status to have meaning?
2. Read Genesis 2:18–20. God said it was not good for Adam to be alone. In what sense was he alone? What kind of helper did he need?
3. Read Genesis 2:21–24. When God made the woman Eve he used Adam’s rib. What do you think is the significance?
4. Read Genesis 1:28; 2:23–24; 1 Corinthians 7:2–5. God brought the two singles together for procreation, companionship, and sex. Which of these challenges you most as a single person?
5. Jesus was single and perfectly human, showing us what being fully human looks like without being sexually active. How can you be fully human without sexual activity?
6. Read Matthew 19:3–12. When answering a question about divorce, Jesus reaffirms God’s original purpose regarding marriage. According to verse 6 what is that purpose?
7. Read Matthew 19:10. How did Jesus’ disciples respond when they learned divorce was only allowed on the basis of immorality? How does this encourage you to stay single?
8. Read Matthew 19:10–11. What reasons does Jesus give as to why there are some for whom singleness is preferable to marriage?
9. Read Matthew 19:12. How is this a reminder that not everyone can handle singleness? Do you feel you function best married or single? Why is that the case?
10. Read Matthew 19:3–12. Does God command marriage or singleness of anyone? What does Jesus affirm as to God’s acceptability of marriage or singleness?
11. Read Matthew 19:10–11. Who did Jesus say would be the ones who would be able to accept singleness? How important is God’s help and grace to living single?
12. Read Matthew 19:11–12. What did Jesus mean that some choose not to marry for the sake of the Kingdom? How can singleness be an asset in doing God’s work?
13. Read Matthew 19:27–30. If one forgoes marriage for the sake of Christ and the Gospel, what does Jesus promise? Is this an adequate substitute for marriage? Why or why not?
14. Read Matthew 12:46–50. Jesus’ spiritual family superseded His biological family. How can this be your situation if you are single?
15. Read Matthew 22:23–30. What did Jesus assert about marriage in heaven? How does this affect your view of singleness and marriage?
16. Read 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:6–8. Who is the bride of Christ and whom will He be married to for eternity? How does this impact your view of earthly singleness?
17. Read 1 Corinthians 7:1. Paul states a negative in order to assert something positive. He uses the word “touch” as a euphemism for sex in marriage. What is he asserting?
18. Read 1 Corinthians 7:2–9. Under what conditions should a person seek to be married? Does Paul command that people get married? What example does he set?
19. Read 1 Corinthians 7:7; 12:4–11. Paul refers to his singleness as a gift from God. Does God give this gift to all single people? Why or why not?
20. Read 1 Corinthians 7:7. How does considering your singleness as God’s own special grace-gift to you change your attitude toward it? In what practical ways is your singleness a gift?
21. Read 1 Corinthians 7:8–9. Paul said it is better to stay unmarried like him, yet lust can be a problem. How is God’s grace sufficient to help you deal with lust?
22. Read 1 Corinthians 7:8. Since we are social beings, loneliness can be a problem for single people. How is God’s grace sufficient to help you deal with loneliness?
23. Read 1 Corinthians 7:26. In what situations does Paul suggest it is good not to get married? What kinds of distress could believers have today that this could apply to?
24. Read 1 Corinthians 7:29. To what does Paul refer and suggest that in light of this it is better not to marry?
25. Read 1 Corinthians 7:32–35. Why does Paul wish everyone had the gift of singleness like him? What does singleness allow unmarried men and women to do?
26. Read 1 Corinthians 7:32–35. Building on the idea that marriage brings distraction and responsibilities, what are other reasons to stay single?
27. Read Proverbs 21:9,19. What reason do these verses give for why it is better not to get married?
28. Read 1 Corinthians 7:39–40. What is Paul’s Spirit-led opinion for widows who remain single? Do you agree with Paul? Why or why not?
29. Read 2 Thessalonians 2:13. Which is more significant for your sense of identity: to be chosen by God or to be chosen by a partner?
30. What difference does it make to you that Jesus was single, humanly speaking, but also the Son of God who by His Spirit lives out His life through you?