They Were Single Too ~ Review

They Were Single Too
Eight Biblical Role Models
By David M. Hoffeditz

They Were Single Too is written to the single adult by examining the lives of eight different individuals in the Bible and their unique positions in a world and culture that expected them to be married. While the author originally wrote this book from a single state he has since married before this updated, revised edition was released. The author quite plainly states that this book is applicable for married believers too.

Of the eight people mentioned three were women and two of them (Ruth and Anna) are widows. So the only woman mentioned who is truly single is Martha. Of the men mentioned four are presumed single while Joseph later did marry.  Lessons are taken from each persons life with truths one can apply to one's own life.

There are times when the author seems to slight the single person for example on page 104 "Hence, while we may not want to admit it, commitment can be hard to find in some single adults." Commitment is not a given for those who are married as we sadly see with the number of divorces. I do agree that the church needs to offer more for those who haven't married as all too often the single adult gets lost in the rush to focus on children and families which isn't wrong but leaves the unmarried feeling as if they are a burden and a hidden shame to be hidden away.

This book is good if one wants to examine the lives of some who are unmarried at least for a portion of their story. This could be an excellent starting place for a new single's Bible study.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher Kregel with no expectations of a positive review. 

About the Book:
Singleness is not a sin that needs to be redeemed. Yet for many single Christians, the way the church regards them often feels condemning. Living between these truths can be a painful, frustrating experience.

By examining eight individuals from Scripture who were single at some point in their adult lives--Paul, Anna, Martha, Jeremiah, Ruth, Joseph, Nehemiah, and John the Baptist--Hoffeditz guides readers through common struggles singles face, such as loneliness and disappointment.

Hoffeditz isn't offering a self-help guide, a twelve-step program to recovery, or philosophical musings. They Were Single Too spells out concrete steps for a healthy, God-approved attitude toward unmarried life and how one can truly serve God without a spouse. Brief chapters with questions for reflection allow for either individual or group study.

Long used as a resource for singles ministries, this revised edition updates the language of this timeless biblical study and makes it more attractive for today's reader.