What are you waiting for?

What are you waiting for?

1 Corinthians 7:17-24

Live for Christ today; Don’t wait for tomorrow.

Focus on following Christ. (17)

Don’t focus on your current circumstances…

…your marital status. (17)

…your religious or racial background. (18-19)

…your social standing, career or economic status. (20-22)

…what other people think of you. (23)

Regardless of your life circumstances, follow Christ today. (24)

How are the distractions of life robbing you of the joy of following Christ today?

For the Next Lesson: 1 Corinthians 7:25-40

1. Warm-up. Do you think it is better for people to get married or stay single through life? Why do you prefer one over the other?

2. Read verses 25-28.Based on what you read in verse 25, Should Paul’s instructions be observed as having the same authority as those of Jesus in the Gospel’s (see also 1 Cor. 7:40)? Why? What does Paul encourage the Corinthians to do in verses 26-28? What “present distress” and “worldly troubles” do you think Paul has in mind as he gives these instructions? Why do you think Paul encouraged people to either stay married or stay single?

3. Read verses 29-35. In verses 29-31, what is Paul challenging the Corinthians to do? What kind of perspective on life is he encouraging, and what is he looking forward to? Do you have the same perspective and anticipation? What are the advantages of being single versus being married according to verses 33-35? How does being single cultivate “undivided devotion” to the Lord? Do you agree with Paul about “anxieties” of married people distracting them from devotion to God? Why or why not? In contrast, how does marriage offer unique opportunities to express your devotion to God?

4. Read verses 36-40. According to Paul, when should a man and a woman get married? In what scenario should a man and woman not marry? What does Paul encourage widows to do, and why does he encourage this?

5. So what?Should we encourage people to get married or stay single? Why? How should we view those who stay single throughout their lives? When should we encourage others to get married? What is one “nugget” or principle you can take from this passage that helps you better understand how to follow God?