In this episode, Jake and I start a new recurring series about books we need to read. In this episode, we discuss Dr. Gary Chapman’s book The 5 Love Languages.

You can listen here.

Key Points

  • The book is based on Dr Chapman’s clinical work and qualitative research.
  • Spouses in troubled marriages often suggest, “My spouse doesn’t love me anymore.”  Dr Chapman has asked thousands of couples, “What would it look like if your spouse did love you?”
  • The five Love Languages are the most consistent responses to that question, they are: words of affirmation, acts of service, quality time, physical touch and gifts.
  • We often love other people the way we like to be loved but that doesn’t always communicate love to the other person.
  • The goal is to learn your spouse or friend’s love language so your care for them is better received and more meaningful.
  • We are made to love and be loved. We all have a love tank (bucket) and when it’s full we are more likely to be our truest, fullest self.
  • The Sacrament of Marriage is a sacrament of service.
  • Love is a language to be communicated and you have to speak in a language that your spouse/friend can understand.
  • For each of the love languages there is an potential negative vice that has to be guarded against.
  • The core recipe for love is to forget yourself and focus on the other.

Hope you enjoy the podcast!

Brett