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Singleness: Living Faithfully
Singleness is not a problem or a waiting period—it’s a place where many of us live, and it offers unique blessings, challenges, and opportunities. Writing as a fellow traveler, Jenilyn Swett turns to Scripture to show how our identity in Christ, paired with a robust theology of singleness, gives us a vision for the single life, no matter how short or long it may be. Daily readings reflect on practical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of faithful living as a single person. We are God’s children above all else—we find in him all the riches we need.
Endorsements“Life-giving, convicting, inspiring, and hope-filled, this devotional is a gift and treasure to the single community [and] is to be read time and time again by all who desire to know Christ more.”
—Suzanne R. Bates, Assistant Professor of Counseling, Covenant Theological Seminary
“[This book] caught me beautifully off guard. I expected to be encouraged in my singleness with biblical truth and kindness from a fellow journeyer. This devotional, however, goes much deeper.”
—Ellen Mary Dykas, Women’s Ministry Coordinator, Harvest USA
“[This] powerful devotional . . . is sure to be a blessing not only to single Christians but also to those in the church who seek to love, support, and grow with them.”
—Duke Kwon, Lead Pastor, Grace Meridian Hill, Washington, DC
“Jenilyn has provided a place for those who are single, married, single again, and married-again. . . . You will find her tone and perspective empathetic, honest, helpful, and redemptive.”
—Tim S. Lane, President, Institute for Pastoral Care
Endorsements“Life-giving, convicting, inspiring, and hope-filled, this devotional is a gift and treasure to the single community [and] is to be read time and time again by all who desire to know Christ more.”
—Suzanne R. Bates, Assistant Professor of Counseling, Covenant Theological Seminary
“[This book] caught me beautifully off guard. I expected to be encouraged in my singleness with biblical truth and kindness from a fellow journeyer. This devotional, however, goes much deeper.”
—Ellen Mary Dykas, Women’s Ministry Coordinator, Harvest USA
“[This] powerful devotional . . . is sure to be a blessing not only to single Christians but also to those in the church who seek to love, support, and grow with them.”
—Duke Kwon, Lead Pastor, Grace Meridian Hill, Washington, DC
“Jenilyn has provided a place for those who are single, married, single again, and married-again. . . . You will find her tone and perspective empathetic, honest, helpful, and redemptive.”
—Tim S. Lane, President, Institute for Pastoral Care
106 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2021
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May 17, 2022
According to Pew Research projections based on census data, when today's young adults reach their mid-40s to mid-50s, a record high share of 25% is likely to have never been married. Add to that cohort those who have been divorced and not remarried, and those whose spouse has died and have not remarried, and you will see how prevalent singleness will become in our society. And the Christian community is not immune from this.
Swett's brief (less than 100 pages) devotional guide is primarily for the Christian single, but it is also useful for those who want to minister to singles. Swett herself was nearly 40 when she wrote this guide, and she admits that at times her singleness felt like a problem to be solved, or a disease that needed to be cured, or at times simply a holding pattern until marriage came. But she came to see that the Bible's view of singleness is so much richer, and that is what she tries to portray in this helpful guide.
She starts by building on the foundation of who God is and what is our true identity. Then she talks about the types of relationships singles should be cultivating. Next she honestly acknowledges the loneliness, rejection, heartbreak, and disappointment that singles can experience, and guides them in how to properly lament that. The largest section of the devotional covers growing in maturity, spiritual disciplines, habits, and thoughts that will help the single grow in sanctification. She ends with some encouragements for long-term endurance.
I appreciate Swett's honesty and openness about her own struggles; this is no academic treatise, but rather encouragement from a fellow traveler on the road of the single life. And she constantly points us to Christ, who he is, what he has done for us, how he promises never to leave nor forsake us.
While all singles don't have the same experiences or even necessarily the same struggles, there is something in this book for all of us (I am single myself). And if your church has a ministry to singles (or even if it doesn't), I would highly recommend this as a great resource.
Swett's brief (less than 100 pages) devotional guide is primarily for the Christian single, but it is also useful for those who want to minister to singles. Swett herself was nearly 40 when she wrote this guide, and she admits that at times her singleness felt like a problem to be solved, or a disease that needed to be cured, or at times simply a holding pattern until marriage came. But she came to see that the Bible's view of singleness is so much richer, and that is what she tries to portray in this helpful guide.
She starts by building on the foundation of who God is and what is our true identity. Then she talks about the types of relationships singles should be cultivating. Next she honestly acknowledges the loneliness, rejection, heartbreak, and disappointment that singles can experience, and guides them in how to properly lament that. The largest section of the devotional covers growing in maturity, spiritual disciplines, habits, and thoughts that will help the single grow in sanctification. She ends with some encouragements for long-term endurance.
I appreciate Swett's honesty and openness about her own struggles; this is no academic treatise, but rather encouragement from a fellow traveler on the road of the single life. And she constantly points us to Christ, who he is, what he has done for us, how he promises never to leave nor forsake us.
While all singles don't have the same experiences or even necessarily the same struggles, there is something in this book for all of us (I am single myself). And if your church has a ministry to singles (or even if it doesn't), I would highly recommend this as a great resource.
Displaying 1 of 1 review