Scripture Saturdays - Matthew 22:37

"Jesus replied, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."

- Matthew 22:37

A few years ago, I read the book The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. While I was in the process of reading that, I was also reading the book of Matthew during my Quiet Time. 

I got to chapter 22 in Matthew and BOOM! It hit me!

We (us humans) were made in the image of God. We (us humans)... according to Gary Chapman... have 5 love languages. If we (us humans) were made in God's image and have 5 love languages, is it possible that God himself has 5 love languages?!?!

Mind... blown...

Once I came to this realization, I began dissecting how I could follow God's command in Matthew 22 to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind" using Chapman's 5 love languages. 

So, here's an activity to help understand how we can love God through the 5 love languages. 

. . .

 

First, take a blank piece of copy paper...

Fold it in half (hamburger style).

Next, fold THAT into thirds. 

Turn the paper the other way, and fold THAT into thirds. 

When you open up the paper, you should have 18 rectangles. 

On the top row, write "Loving God through the 5 Love Languages"...

In the left column, write down the 5 different love languages.

(Quality Time, Acts of Service, Words of Affirmation, Physical Touch, and Gift Giving)

Next, think through some Scripture verses you know that go along with that love language.

Quality Time 

A verse I thought of for spending quality time with God was the verses talking about Jesus going to the mountains be by himself and pray.

Acts of Service 

There are TONS of verses on how to serve God in a number of ways. When I was doing this activity, the verse that came to mind was Mark 10:45 which says, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Jesus served others, and we're called to do the same as an act of loving God fully.

Words of Affirmation 

A few different verses came to mind when thinking through how one could love God through "words of affirmation." Some great verses lie in 1 & 2 Thessalonians when Paul is telling the readers to encourage one another, but the verse I chose was Proverbs 27:17. Though God doesn't need any "sharpening", this verse always encourages me to lift up others through words.  

You could also use Psalms verse that are praising God! 

Physical Touch 

You might think that physical touch is a rather awkward way to love God, 

but here are some ways it can work. 

"...you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

1 Corinthians 6:20

"And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself."

Matthew 22:39

"And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and give it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."

Luke 22:19

For this activity, I chose the "communion verse" as my Scripture for physical touch. 

I enjoy the thought of loving God through physical touch by partaking in a sacrament that He created in order for me to remember that He poured out His love for me so unselfishly. 

God is so good.

Gift Giving

Romans 12 has a list of gifts in which God gives us so that we can use them to glorify Him. We don't all have every gift, which makes us unique. We can glorify God in a unique way by giving back the gift that He freely gave us. Check out Romans 12:6-8 for the list of these types of gifts. 

Next, in the third column, write ways in which you can love God through whatever is listed in the left column. Be creative! Think of unique ways YOU can love God through the 5 love languages.

For example, I thought of 2 ways I could love God through Quality Time:

Find a Quiet Time spot. 

Meaning dedicate a very specific spot in the world to be you and God's spot. This is where you can go to just spend time with God, no words necessary.

Include Him in everyday activities. 

Whether you're driving to work or washing the dishes, you can invite God into every day activities by recognizing His presence wherever you are!

So, there's the activity! How cool is it to think that God could have 5 different love languages just like us and that we can find more ways to love God by learning more about how

 humans love each other! So cool!

Once you're done, put this up on your mirror, by your desk, or in your Bible!

 Keep adding to it as you think of more ways you can love God through the 5 love languages!

TGBTG