Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 13
Memory Verse: “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” Matthew 25:40
Lesson Aim: To explain the remaining three love languages, recognize how God speaks them and how we can use them to express our love to God, our family members and others.
Key Points - Giving gifts are a universal expression of love. - Acts of services are another valid expression of love. - Physical touch is another way to express our love.
As we continue to look at ways to express our love, please note that the order in which we have introduced the five languages of love does not indicate their order of importance. Most people have probably spoken all five love languages at some time or the other, yet they are probably not expert at using any of them. It is okay for us to know our primary love language. However, we need to discover the primary love languages of our family members, as well. Our goal should be to ensure that the love tanks of our spouses, our children and our parents are full.
Giving is an expression of love. Gifts are tangible evidence of emotional love. For some people, giving is their primary love language. Nothing makes them feel as good or joyful as giving a gift to someone. They love to give. They also like to receive. For those whose primary love language is something else, gifts will not convey the same message.
God is the greatest giver. He gave His only begotten Son that we might believe and have eternal life. He gave us this planet earth, life, health, strength, family, creative power, etc. All good gifts come from above, coming down from the Father of love.
Another way we can express our love is through acts of service. Acts of service could be a thousand different things. The individual whose primary love language is acts of service will always be looking for things to do for others. Parenting is a service-oriented vocation. Since so many things are routine, parents should regularly check their attitudes to ensure that their acts of services are communicating love and not just duty.
God has reflected His love with acts of service throughout time. Consider the Children of Israel. God delivered them from Egypt, opened the Red Sea, rained manna from heaven, blew in quail, produced water out of a rock, healed their diseases. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. God protects us. He saves; He keeps and He satisfies. Consider the miracles of Jesus. All were acts of service, expressions of God’s love for His people.
We all have heard about the emotional power of physical touch. Depending on the person and relationship, it could be a handshake, a slap on the back, a hug or a back rub. Babies respond to being held and cuddled. So do some adults. The natural hugger will be very comfortable with this language.
God also speaks the language of physical touch. Look at Jacob’s encounter with God. Moses experienced God in a way that affected his physical body, too. Jesus often spoke the language of physical touch. He held and touched children. When He administered healing, He touched people. He washed the disciples’ feet. These were all ways that Jesus expressed love through the language of physical touch.
Questions and Discussion
- What are some examples of God speaking the love language of giving gifts. Ecclesiastes 3:13; Luke 11:11-13; John 3:16; Romans 6:23; 11:29; Ephesians 5:25; James 1:17
- What are some ways we can express our love to God, our families and our fellow man through giving? Deuteronomy 26:12; Matthew 5:42; Matthew 19:21; Romans 12:8
- What are some of the ways that God speaks through acts of service? Psalm 104:13-15; Matthew 5:45
- In what ways can we express our love to God, our families, and others through acts of service? Romans 12:1; Luke 10:33-35; Matthew 25:34-40
- What are some ways that God expresses His love to us through physical touch?
- What are some ways we can express our love to our families and others through physical touch? 1 Peter 5:14; Hebrews 12:12-13
- Is it possible to speak all these languages of love and not really be expressing love? 1 Corinthians 13:1-3