The 5 Love Languages - Words Of Affirmation Series

5 Languages of Love

Words of Affirmation

April 24, 2022

We’re starting a new series today. It’s called The 5 Languages of Love and is based off of the book by Gary Chapman with the same title! I know that’s not super original for a title, but why reinvent the wheel. I’m going to be using his book as a basis for the series. I will talk about our love languages and hopefully you are willing to learn your love language and the love languages of those who are closest to you. We will also look at how we can draw closer to God using them as well.

To start out, I thought I would share something really important with you.

SPEAK HEBREW OR ANY OTHE FOREIGN LANGUAGE PEOPLE WON'T UNDERSTAND

I hope you understood me well. I had a lot of really important things to tell you, and I’m sure you took it all in, other than to hear Hebrew, I’m sure you know and will do exactly as I told you.

You see, if we don’t talk the same language, we’re never really going to understand one another. That’s the premise for this series. If I don’t know Debbie’s love language, then I will never be able to fully satisfy her. I can be the nicest guy, the most well intentioned husband, but if we communicate in different languages, then we’re not going to be as connected as we could be in our marriage

For example, I may work long hours trying to be a great provider to Debbie and the boys. I give Debbie everything she wants. I always buy her gifts because I love her. I want her to see it and know it. And that’s all noble and great.

BUT . . . what if that’s not Debbie’s love language, which it isn’t. What if her love language is quality time. And she longs for me to spend time with her. But I’m busy working and buying her presents thinking I’m showing my love for her . . . which I am ---- ---- ---- BUT . . . she might not feel loved by me, even though I’m doing what I think I should be doing in a perfectly well intentioned manner.

This applies for spouses, significant others and our children and grandchildren. It may even be applicable at work, but that’s really not the focus.

So, if we’re going to follow what Jesus said, remember what He told the disciples at the last supper, the Passover meal - - -

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. - John 13:34-35

And that’s key! We are called to love one another. And I believe Jesus used all 5 of the love languages to show His love for us. So, how can we love one another in the most impactful way possible?

And if we look at that scripture and follow it up with what Jesus commands us to do in the Great Commandment in Mark 12 - - -

30 “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. 31 The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” - Mark 12:30-31

We now have the basis for what we’re supposed to do in life. We are called to love! That’s the basis of all we do in life. Everything must be predicated on love.

But not everyone is wired the same way. Life would be so boring if we were. Sometimes it would be nice if we all thought and reacted the same way, but our differences just adds more fun to our lives.

So, that’s what we’re going to be looking at over the next 5 weeks. There is a love language quiz you can take at the 5 languages website. It’s really a great quiz. There’s no right or wrong answers. And, it’s really thought provoking. It takes about 15 minutes to do, and it may just revolutionize your relationships at home. The quiz can be found at - - -

www.5lovelanguages.com/quizzes

So take out your phones and take a picture of this or google 5 love languages quiz.

If we’re going to love others as Jesus commands, then we need to learn to communicate love in the way that’s easiest for the other person to hear and receive. That’s why we’ll be spending the next 5 weeks learning about love languages and how to best love one another and draw closer to God.