Tuesday - July 19, 2016

Woodlawn Family Bible Study
TUESDAY

BIBLE READING:  Philippians 2:4

 MAIN IDEA:  “We all have different dialects”

 DISCUSSION: 
It seems that most of us grow up expecting everyone else to be like us, but it is not that way. We are all different. Think about it. A person in Alabama speaks the same language as a person from Scotland, but their dialects are so drastically different that they often can’t understand each other at all. Sometimes we have this similar problem in our relationships. Our languages are the same, we both love each other, but our dialects have gotten in the way.  You can completely misunderstand a message/action simply because of the different “dialects” between two people. After all, most of us grow up expecting everyone to be like ourselves. Why doesn’t everyone see and like things the same way I do? 
          
For us to get along in this arena of family and other relationships, we must learn that the dialect we speak isn’t the only one used in our world. The way you feel, is the way you express yourself to the ones you love. For example, do you feel the way to communicate your love to your partner is to do favors and deeds for them? Does it make you feel that you are loved? Surely it does to everyone. However, this is not always true. Many times a person just wants to hear, “I love you,” or, “good job”. Some people need more physical contact, like a pat on the back, a back rub, a hug, a kiss, etc.  Sometimes, as a show of love, people prefer quality time together. People with this dialect don’t care for the "I love you," pats on the back, or what you do for them. The only thing that matters is quality time. 
          
How do we know how to respond in our family relationships? First, remember everyone is not like you. Second, be observant. Third, be willing to change.
          
Remember no matter what age or type of relationship we are in, everybody speaks a dialect. Keep that thought as you develop relationships. Remember, we grow up expecting everyone to be just like us; and they are not. Remember what Paul tells us in Philippians 2: “do not be concerned about your own interests, but also be concerned about the interests of others.” 

 APPLICATION: Am I observant to my family’s different dialects?

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