This forum was planned in the middle of the Song of Solomon series at Trailhead Church. It had to be postponed due to the snow - but we want to begin in that context. The language of Song of Songs is that of oneness. Oneness in a marriage relationship. Song of Solomon 2:16 - "My beloved is mine and I am his." Jesus offers us that oneness - that belonging - that relationship!! In John 17:11 Jesus prays for us: "Keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one." This is the language of oneness, of community. The church has historically said that the epitome of oneness is marriage, that true oneness is found only in marriage. This is false. The CHURCH is the perfect experience of oneness. Jesus prays for oneness for you. He intercedes on our behalf. Psalm 68:4-6 "...God settles the solitary in a home." Romans 12:5 "So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another."
We briefly looked at singleness in the context of the Old Testament (Old Covenant) and New Testament (New Covenant). What does God think? This is taken from a sermon by Jenny Salt (From the Gospel Coalition Women's Conference 2012 Listen here.)
Under the Old Covenant
- Physical blessings most important
- Genesis 2 - marriage for community just as God has community in the Trinity
- Marriage was needed to grow the nation of Israel
- Marriage was needed for protection
- Marriage was needed for preserving inheritance.
- No voluntary singleness is seen in Israel.
Under the New Covenant
- Spiritual blessings most important
- The Church offers community just as God has community in the Trinity
- Jesus was single - did not need marriage for community
- Church offers protection for those not in a family
- Matthew 19:11-12 - Singleness is mentioned as a possibility by Jesus
- Mark 12:18 - Jesus describes marriage as temporary and if temporary then it is of lesser importance than our standing in Christ Jesus. Heaven is beyond the limits of earthly marriage - this life is NOT all there is.
- 1 Corinthians 7:32 - Both marriage and singleness are good. God uses both. They are equal - both reflecting the character of God. One is not better than the other.
Ms. Salt took much of her information (and gives as a resource) the book Redeeming Singleness by Barry Danylak. I highly recommend that book as well. It will be listed in the resource list below.
This was our schedule for the evening:
7:00-05 WELCOME
7:05 - Open with first video: Questions to Redeemer members about singleness
Click this link: https://vimeo.com/album/2763100/video/87819497
7:15 - INTRODUCTION TO THE EVENT/EXPECTATIONS - Discuss the theology of singleness:
7:45-8:00 Play entire Bethany Jenkins video
Click this link: https://vimeo.com/88162695
- Our identities are not founded on what we don’t have, but on what we have been given
- Family - commitments to spiritual family
- Kiss - the church should be as affectionate as possible - covering our brokenness and shame
- Future - Look at the future with eyes of faith: “single by sight, but betrothed by faith”, “let not your hearts be troubled”
- Stanley Hauerwas - “There can be no more radical act than singleness as it is the clearest, institutional expression that one’s future is not guaranteed by the family but by the church. The church, the harbinger of the kingdom of god, is now the source of our primary loyalty.”
8:15-8:45 Q&A
8:45-9:15 Play entire Wesley Hill video - CHASTITY (and spiritual friendships)
Click this link: https://vimeo.com/album/2763100/video/88121005
- Seeing chastity as part of God’s POSITIVE calling - to enter fully the risen life of Christ
- Phil 3:4-11 To know Christ, be known by Christ, new identity in Christ, orient his life around Christ, bless others around him (share in Christ’s sufferings)
- 2 Cor 4
- Must not see my calling/obedience in negative terms - my primary goal is not to keep myself from doing something. “Out of enunciation comes a positive vocation.”
- Two types of love - “You’re mine because I love you.” (Friendship) or “I love you because you are mine” (God given friendships - they are given, vowed, not-negotiable.) Mutual commitment. I am called to this vision. Don’t have to be married to wait for this relationship. Fully honorable loves - not second class love.
9:15-9:45 Q&A
RESOURCE LIST:
Singleness:
Book - Redeeming Singleness: How the Storyline of Scripture Affirms Singleness by Barry Danylak
BEST resource: Sermon on The Theology of Singleness from Gospel Coalition 2012 (audio only):
Four Books on Singleness recommended by The Gospel Coalition:
Video by David Platt “Don’t Squander Your Singleness” (17 minutes) which is a call to mission
Best resource about same sex attraction (and loneliness and struggling against sin for everyone): Book - Washed and Waiting by Wesley Hill
The entire S!NGLES forum put on by Redeemer Presbyterian Church, Tim Keller's church in New York City is available to stream. It is worth your time! http://new.livestream.com/redeemer-nyc/single
Dating Resources recommended by Desiring God:
www.desiringgod.org/all-resources/by-topic/dating-singleness
Two Highlighted:
- Quotes: “While the great prize in marriage is Christ-centered intimacy, the great prize in dating is Christ-centered clarity.”
- “Focus on the harvest, and you’re bound to find a helper. Instead of making it your mission to get married, make your mission God’s global cause and the advance of the gospel where you are, and look for someone pursuing the same.”
- “Don’t let your mind marry him/her before the rest of you can.”
- The questions: Is My Boyfriend (or Girlfriend) Godly Enough?
- Is There “Too Fast” In Christian Dating?
- Has Facebook Ruined Dating?
- Should My Church Help Me Get Married?
- Should I Date a Godly Girl I Do Not Find Attractive?
- Should a Boyfriend “Lead” His Girlfriend?
- Keys to Sexual Purity in Dating?
- When Should a Single Stop Dating?
- Dating and Marriage for the Victims of Past Abuse
- What Hope Does God Offer Lonely Singles?
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