RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR 21ST OF APRIL, 2024; LOVE LANGUAGE IN MARRIAGE

[18]And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

[19]And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

[20]And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

[21]And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

[22]And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

[23]And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

[24]Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

[25]And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

INTRODUCTIONMany marriages are needlessly failing because the marriage partners have a lack of knowledge regarding relationship dynamics (Hosea 4:6). Most couples, sadly to say, are ignorant on purpose. In this study, we will look at the scriptural principles and the love language that should characterise our marital relationships.

Couples in marriage should understand that the image of God is best expressed in the combination of male and female (Genesis 1:27). The God-designed difference between male and female is to be accepted as complementary, not competitive (Genesis 2:18). Marriage is a divine, not human institution (Genesis 2:21-23). It is to be a relationship of companionship, completion, and communion (Genesis 2:25; Matthew 19:5). Marriage was designed by God to be a permanent, mutual, covenant relationship (Matthew 19:6). God’s intent is for marriage to be an inestimable source of joy and fulfilment (Proverbs 18:22). In fact, marriage is a major part of God’s plan to bring redemption to the human race (Genesis 22:18). The seed of the marriage relationship provided the vehicle for the incarnation of the Saviour, Jesus Christ (Genesis 3:15; Ephesians 5:31-32).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: The class should discuss the human principles that have been introduced into marriage today but which were not at the beginning.

Many problems in marriage, usually, occur due to the inability of the partners to understand each other’s love language. Love language is an expression that makes you or your partner feel loved.

There are five primary love languages. They are:

1. Quality Time. Spending time with each other and talking without interruptions, going out and about, having fun together, celebrating birthdays and wedding anniversaries, etc. Let the courtship experience continue (Genesis 26:8).

2. Acts of Service. Do things you know your spouse will like you to do. For example; cooking meals, helping each other, especially in household chores, etc. (Ecclesiastes 4:9).

3. Exchange of Gifts. Express your love for each other through giving/receiving gifts no matter how small (1 Samuel 1:5).

4. Words of Affirmation. Couples must be consistent in saying ‘I love you,’ ‘I am sorry’ ‘Thank you’ ‘You look nice in that dress,’ etc. to each other (Songs of Solomon 4:1, 7).

5. Physical Touching: This is a way of communicating emotional love, e.g. holding hands, kissing, pecking, embracing, patting, necking, nibbling, sitting close to each other, etc. (Songs of Solomon 1:2).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Which of the points above are commonly absent as marriages get older? How can a spouse recover it/them?

* Mention at least three scriptural principles of marriage.

* Identify the primary love languages needed in marriage.

ASSIGNMENT: State five things you will start/continue to do for your spouse to keep him/her perpetually happy (2×5=10 marks).