Relationships have always been part of God’s design for his people. From the beginning, God created us to know him and to live in meaningful connection with one another. We were never meant to walk through life alone. We need people beside us.
In 1 Corinthians 12:12, believers are described as one body: “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. The church is not simply a place we attend. It is a body of people who belong to Christ and to one another. Each person has a place, and each person is needed.
The church is made up of individuals, some married and others single. For many, singleness is a state not always chosen or planned for, but simply the place they find themselves. For those in this place, the presence of meaningful relationships within the church can make a real difference. When we notice one another, make room for one another, and walk alongside one another, the whole body is strengthened. Together, the church can work intentionally to offer support, direction, accountability, and encouragement to those that may feel more isolated or alone.
Relationships Support Spiritual Growth
Relationships play a key role in spiritual growth. Faith is strengthened through regular interaction by others. The life of Jesus shows this clearly. His ministry was full of relationships. He taught, corrected, encouraged, and shared meals with others.
Relationships often help bring things from darkness to light. They create space for accountability, where others can speak truth, ask questions, and notice patterns we may not see in ourselves. Through shared experiences, individuals can also observe others’ faith being lived out in real situations. For those who are single, relationships within the church may become one of the primary places for steady support and encouragement. Often individuals in this place may lack the daily relational rhythms that come with marriage or family life. Consistent relationships in the church help provide stability and care.
Relationships play a key role in spiritual growth. Faith is strengthened through regular interaction by others. The life of Jesus shows this clearly. His ministry was full of relationships. He taught, corrected, encouraged, and shared meals with others.
Relationships often help bring things from darkness to light. They create space for accountability, where others can speak truth, ask questions, and notice patterns we may not see in ourselves. Through shared experiences, individuals can also observe others’ faith being lived out in real situations. For those who are single, relationships within the church may become one of the primary places for steady support and encouragement. Often individuals in this place may lack the daily relational rhythms that come with marriage or family life. Consistent relationships in the church help provide stability and care.
Questions to Consider:
For individuals:
- Who regularly sees my life up close?
- Where am I known beyond casual conversation?
- Do I allow others to speak into my decisions? If so, whom?
For the church:
- Are we creating environments where people are truly known?
- Would someone without built-in community naturally find connection here?
- Do we notice when someone may be trying to maintain spiritual health without steady support?
Choosing Diverse Relationships
The people closest to us shape us. Proverbs 13:20 reminds us that who we walk with matters. Because of this, there is value in having connections which reach beyond our own life stage. It is easy to stay close only to people whose lives look like ours. But when we only connect with those in the same season, our perspective can narrow. Relationships across different ages, seasons, and experiences help strengthen the whole body.
Singles need relationships with other singles, but they also need connection with families, older believers, younger believers, married couples, widows, parents, and those in different seasons of life. In the same way, married people and families need the presence and perspective of single believers. Relationships with those who are in different life stages provide balance and practical insight. Consistent, intentional access to relationships with those in a different stage of life offers not only healthy connection, but exposure to different rhythms of life that can be difficult to gain otherwise.
Questions to Consider:
For individuals:
- What relationships do I have that are consistent?
- Where am I connected to people in different stages of life?
- How can I learn from people whose lives look different than mine?
For the church:
- Do our groups and gatherings naturally mix life stages, or separate them?
- Are singles meaningfully connected to families and the broader body?
- Are we encouraging relationships that are intentional, consistent, and spiritually strengthening?
Moving Relationships Beyond the Surface
Not all relationships are meant to carry the same level of depth, but without intention, many remain surface-level. It is easy for relationships in the church to stay casual. People see each other, talk briefly, and move on. For singles, this kind of surface-level connection may not be enough to meet the deeper need for steady support throughout the week.
Depth comes through consistency, such as seeing the same people regularly, sharing meals, and continuing conversations over time. It does not require anything complicated. It often looks like simply inviting someone into your week, following up on a conversation, or continuing to show up in the same spaces over time. The church should not overlook the importance of these small efforts, because they often become the very means by which people feel known, supported, and connected.
Questions to Consider:
For individuals:
- Are my relationships growing, or staying the same?
- Am I taking initiative, or waiting for others?
- Where can I be more consistent?
For the church:
- Do our environments encourage deeper relationships, or just casual connections?
- How are people given opportunities to build consistency with others?
- What would help people move from just being present to being more intentional?
Conclusion
Relationships are an essential part of being the body of Christ. They help people feel known, supported, encouraged, and strengthened in their walk with the Lord. For those in singleness, connection may not happen automatically. It often has to be built with care and intention. This is not only the responsibility of single people, and it is not solely the responsibility of the church either. All members of the body have a role to play in building relationships that are steady, meaningful, and spiritually encouraging. Singles can be intentional to seek connection, take initiative, and remain open to relationships with those in different seasons of life. At the same time, families, married couples, older believers, and the broader church body can be intentional to notice, include, invite, and make room. When the church is intentional with relationships and connections across life stages, it strengthens everyone and the body functions more fully as it was designed.
