Loneliness in the Church: A Singles Sermon Guide for Pastors
Loneliness is a profound issue, especially among single adults in the church. Many singles feel isolated or overlooked in church communities that focus heavily on marriage and family life. As pastors, addressing this issue from a biblical perspective is essential, offering hope and community to those who feel left out. A “Singles Sermon Guide for Pastors” can serve as a valuable resource in this endeavor.
Psalm 68:6 says, “God sets the lonely in families; he leads out the prisoners with singing.” This verse highlights the church’s role in being a spiritual family for those who are lonely, particularly single adults. Yet, despite this clear biblical mandate, singles often feel neglected in churches that prioritize married life and family programs. This imbalance can leave singles feeling as though they are on the outside looking in.
Over 50% of U.S. adults are now single. This includes individuals who have never married, as well as those who are divorced or widowed. This growing demographic is often underrepresented in many churches, where the majority of events and ministries are geared toward married couples.
Pastors can address this gap by preaching on the importance of community and family for everyone in the congregation, including singles. This “Singles Sermon Guide for Pastors” encourages church leaders to shift the narrative from marriage as the ultimate goal to a Christ-centered community as the solution to loneliness.
Biblical examples of single individuals, like Nehemiah, Paul, and even Jesus, demonstrate that singleness is not a state of incompleteness or loneliness but an opportunity for deep, meaningful service to God. Paul himself said that singleness allows for greater devotion to the Lord, free from the distractions that often accompany marriage.
Loneliness is not limited to single adults—married people can also feel isolated. But the church, as the body of Christ, is uniquely equipped to be the family that both married and single adults need. By fostering an inclusive community that values singles, churches can create an environment where everyone feels like they belong.
Sermon Outline
Primary Text: Psalm 68:6
- Introduction:
- Share personal or anecdotal stories of loneliness.
- Explain how singles often feel isolated in churches, which prioritize families and married adults in leadership positions.
- Point 1: Loneliness is a Universal Problem
- Even married individuals experience loneliness; it’s not exclusive to singles.
- God’s original answer to loneliness in the Garden of Eden was marriage, but that’s not the only solution.
- Point 2: God’s Plan for Community
- Jesus built a community—the church—that is meant to alleviate loneliness.
- Emphasize the importance of the church acting as a spiritual family, including singles in all aspects of church life.
- Point 3: Biblical Examples of Single Adults
- Use examples like Nehemiah, Daniel, and Paul, who were all single and served God faithfully.
- Jesus, our perfect example, was single and yet lived a complete and fulfilling life, demonstrating that wholeness is found in God, not in marriage.
Conclusion:
Encourage the congregation to be intentional about involving singles in every aspect of church life. Challenge leadership to be mindful of the unique needs of singles and foster community.
