08 Nov
2026

Gifts from God

Passage: 1 Corinthians 7: 7-40

REFLECTION QUOTE

 “Friendship is a much underestimated aspect of spirituality. It’s every bit as significant as prayer and fasting. Like the sacramental use of water and bread and wine, friendship takes what’s common in human experience and turns it into something holy.”
—Eugene Peterson

OUTLINE

  1. Importance of Singleness
  2. Opportunity of Singleness
  3. Challenge of Singleness
  4. Future of Singleness

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 

What would you say promotes holy living?

Read 1 Corinthians 7:7-40. What does this passage show you about God’s character and about being his follower? What challenges, encourages, or sparks questions for you in this passage?

In verse 7, when Paul says “each of you has your own gift from God” he does not mean our gift is a superpower, but wants us to see our current situation as a gift. In what ways can you see your present situation as a gift? How might this challenge or encourage you in following Jesus in this season?
What is Paul’s goal for each Corinthian Christian, whether married or unmarried?
Throughout this passage where does Paul leave room for individual Christian conscience?
Consider the reflection quote from Eugene Peterson above. What role or priority has spiritual friendship played in your life? Who might you be able to be a spiritual friend to in this season?
In what ways does this passage challenge and encourage your understanding of singleness? How does the gospel teach us the true story of singleness and how does this true story contrast with the world’s view of singleness?
How and why are you under stress, whether in your marital status or present situation? Consider Paul’s words in verse 32, “I want you to be free from worries.” Spend time praying for God’s peace to rule in your heart. Pray for wisdom to make the right decisions about sexual matters and your current context and that you will make those decisions willingly and joyfully.
What from this passage and this discussion is something you want to put into practice or be more aware of this week or praise God for?

 

PRAYER

Share with your group how they can be praying for you: what is weighing on you from this past week? What are you praising God for from this past week?

“By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.” 1 Corinthians 6:14