Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch
- This is something that can be applied in all relationships- the reason why you should want to know someone’s love language is to be able to relate to them better. I’m thinking of this for someone that is quote-unquote ‘in your circle”. Spouse, siblings, parents, kids, best friends, close friends.
- By learning this you are taking the focus off yourself and putting someone first. You are putting yourself in someone else’s shoes.
- Question of the night: How are we going to tie this into the bible? God expresses this language throughout the scriptures! (Disclaimer, we are not taking the place of the holy spirit)
- Words of Affirmation – We would say something like “You can do it”. They may just need reassurance in a decision. God’s words of affirmation to us are the scriptures; I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) and A word is fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. (Proverbs 25:11) – We can speak life or death in any relationship. Our words of affirmation toward God are worship and gratitude.
- Acts of Service – toward a person, it doesn’t have to be a grand or expensive thing; can be something as simple as unloading the dishwasher and not just stacking dishes in the sink. Or at work, today is the day that everyone has to empty their trashcan in a central location, take your friend’s trash along with taking yours. Acts of service can tie into giving of your time. Acts of service toward God- we need to consider the word obedience; John 13:16-A servant is not greater than the one who sent him. Jesus made this statement after washing the feet of the disciples. Jesus is not asking us to do something that he has not completed himself. Matthew 20:28- the son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister. Get the focus off yourself.
- Receiving Gifts – (Ephesians 2:8-9) – For by grace you have been saved through faith. It is not our own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works so that no one can boast. God gave the gift of grace. Receiving a gift and acts of service go hand in hand. What would be an example of us giving God a gift- supporting those in need; supporting spreading the gospel. To give meaningful gifts to someone, you first must spend time with that person and pay attention to the things they speak about. Example: A candy that they haven’t been able to find in years. The goal here is to give a meaningful gift, not the most expensive.
- Quality Time – Time to me is the most precious gift. Quality Time is a compliment to all the other languages. Be intentional about your quality time within all relationships. James 4:8-Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Spend time in the bible and prayer to know what God is asking of us. Spend time with friends, family spouse-date night, ladies’ night, and game night. The key to this time is listening. Don’t always be in a rush, don’t be ready to go to the next task-Don’t just do this to say that the box has been checked.
- Physical Touch – Acts 17:27-28-Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for in him we live and move and have our being. We may not feel we are able to physically touch God, but He is near to us always. We can touch the heart of God through prayer and praise. A well-placed hug, kiss, or held hand, amongst other things, is good and meaningful. The church is a great example of this hugging / shakin hands.
