Big Idea: No season is wasted when it is surrendered to Jesus. How Do We Honor God Through Every Season? 1. Be Faithful Where God Has You 8 Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. 9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 10 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. 11 But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? 17 Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. 18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts. 20 Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him. 21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you–although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to. 1 Corinthians 7:8-24 (NIV) “Haven't you read,” he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? 6 So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." 7 “Why then,” they asked, "did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?" 8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. 9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.” 10 The disciples said to him, "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry." Matthew 19:4-10 (NIV) Another thing you do: You flood the LORD's altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer pays attention to your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. 14 You ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant. 15 Has not [the LORD] made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. 16 "I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel, “and I hate a man's covering himself with violence as well as with his garment,” says the LORD Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith. Malachi 2:13-16 (NIV) And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11 (NIV) • God isn't waiting for your circumstances to change before He works through your life. 2. Make Your Highest Priority Pleasing Christ 25 Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. 26 Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are. 27 Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife. 28 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. 29 What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; 30 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; 31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. 32 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. 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world–how he can please his wife– 34 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. 35 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 7:25-35 (NIV) • The healthiest life is the one centered on Christ, not on changing circumstances. 3. Live With Eternal Perspective (vv. 29–40) 36 If anyone thinks he is acting improperly toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if she is getting along in years and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. 37 But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin–this man also does the right thing. 38 So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does even better. 39 A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. 40 In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is–and I think that I too have the Spirit of God. 1 Corinthians 7:36-40 (NIV) Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV) • Will you embrace God's presence and purpose in your season? Choose one Next Right Step this week. Thank God for the season you are in and embrace it. Look for one opportunity to serve Christ where He has placed you. Encourage someone who may be struggling in their current season. TALK IT OVER Big Idea: No season is wasted when it is surrendered to Jesus. Opening Prayer: Invite someone to thank God for His faithfulness through every season of life. Ask Him to help each person trust His plans, embrace their current season, and faithfully follow Jesus wherever He has placed them. Icebreaker: Looking back over your life, what is one season that taught you something valuable about trusting God? Read Together 1 Corinthians 7:8–39 As you read, notice how often Paul encourages believers to remain faithful in the season where God has placed them. Reflection Questions For Families with Young Children What does it mean to trust God, even when life changes? Can you think of a Bible character who trusted God during a difficult season? What is one way our family can honor God this week right where He has us? For Teens and Adults Paul repeatedly encourages believers to remain faithful in the season where God has called them. Why do you think we often believe happiness is found in changing our circumstances? Have you ever found yourself thinking, "I'll be happy when…" Read Philippians 4:11–13. What does Paul teach about contentment? How is contentment different from simply giving up or settling? Paul reminds both married and single believers that their greatest devotion belongs to Christ. Why is it important not to build our identity around our relationship status? What happens when we expect another person to give us what only Jesus can provide? Every season brings unique opportunities to serve God. What opportunities has your current season given you that another season might not? Read 2 Corinthians 4:16–18. How does keeping an eternal perspective change the way we face today's challenges? What is one area where God is inviting you to trust Him more fully in your current season? How can this group encourage and pray for you? Choose one Next Right Step this week. □ Thank God for the season you are in. □ Look for one opportunity to serve Christ where He has placed you. □ Encourage someone who may be struggling in their current season. Memory Verse “Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.” 1 Corinthians 7:24 (NIV) Pray together. Thank God for His faithfulness in every season. Pray for those who are married. Pray for those who are single. Pray for widows and widowers. Pray for those recovering from divorce or broken relationships. Pray that every person would faithfully honor Christ in the season where God has them today.