Encounter Student Ministry

The Languages of Love Re-Launch

Sundays 6-8pm

“English is such a weird language.”  This is a comment my family will jokingly use when we say something believing we have communicated clearly, yet the other person interprets it very differently.  It’s great when we can recognize the disconnect and laugh about it, but communication isn’t always that easy, especially when we are trying to communicate love to family and friends.

It is clear that most of us struggle at times to feel loved by those significant in our lives.  This is a two way street: If we are not feeling loved by those in our lives, chances are high that they may not be feeling loved by you.  God calls us to love… simply, powerfully, extravagantly… How do we learn to recognize the love given us by others and to give love in a way that family and friends will receive that love?

Well, that is probably a big can of worms, but we will be taking a step in trying to do just that as we study Gary Chapman’s, “Five Love Languages.”

The objectives of this study are:

• To teach a variety of ways that people show and receive love
• To allow students to understand more about themselves: what their natural love languages are and to better recognize how much they are loved by others as they begin to redefine others’ actions and words as love.
• Empower students to build/improve relationships with family, friends, and “neighbors” by being more purposeful and effective in communicating love in a way that they will receive it.
• To better live a lifestyle of worship (honoring our God and magnifying Him in the world around us) as we reflect His love purposefully and effectively to those around us.

This study is open to all students in Grades 6-12.  For Parents interested in exploring this along side their students, there are other versions of the 5 Love Languages book that you may find of interested:

• The 5 Love Languages of Teens (The Secret to Loving Teens Effectively)
• The 5 Love Languages – Couples, Singles, Children, Military, and many more…
• or, simply ask that a copy of the teaching notes be shared with you. 

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. (Matt 22:37-38)
“If you love me, obey my commandments.” (John 14:15)
A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” (Matt 22:39-40)