How to Help Householders Who Have Limited Sign Language Ability
1. Teaching the Bible to those who have limited language ability presents what challenge?
1 Some deaf householders who have limited education may be interested in spiritual things, but they could be intimidated due to inadequate understanding of sign language. How can we help them spiritually?
2. What tools are effective in helping these ones?
2 If the student has limited understanding of sign language, you might start with the DVD entitled Listen to God and Live Forever. It has been designed to study with deaf persons who have limited signing ability. This DVD can also be used in conjunction with the Listen to God brochure when preparing to study with someone. At the beginning of each lesson, there is a question that is answered in the lesson. Included with the illustrations are comments and cited scriptures. These comments and cited scriptures could be discussed, depending on the ability of the student. If the student has some signing ability, you may like to start with You Can Be God’s Friend!—On DVD or My Book of Bible Stories—On DVD.
3. What insights regarding those with limited language ability will help us to be effective in teaching them?
3 Commend: Those who are struggling to learn sign language may feel embarrassed, and have low self-worth. Helping them feel comfortable is often the first step toward teaching them the truth. Most deaf who have not yet learned sign language are intelligent and are able to learn. Show them due respect, and treat them with dignity. (1 Pet. 3:15) They will be motivated to continue the study if they feel that their efforts are worthwhile and that they are making spiritual progress. So be generous in commending them.
4. How can we encourage those with limited ability to prepare for the study?
4 Even if the student has limited ability, encourage him to prepare for his study. The teacher can show the student how to identify a key point being discussed and to make a notation or draw a picture that will help him to retain it. Especially, it is important to show how to learn from the details portrayed in the artwork. While this may take additional time, it will certainly be helpful to the student.
5. How can we demonstrate patience when conducting the study?
5 Be Patient: Regardless of the publication you use, focus on the main points, and help your student to understand them well. In the beginning, discussions of 10 to 15 minutes may be best. Do not try to cover too much material, perhaps just a few paragraphs each session. Be patient if the student is slow to grasp the point due to limited understanding. He will likely be motivated to improve his language ability as he develops appreciation for Jehovah. To help your student do that, it is good to invite him to attend the meetings from the start.
6. How can we help individuals with limited language to continue learning the truth?
6 If Bible students learn sign language, they will make faster spiritual progress. (Ps. 1:1-3) If the student gets discouraged, perhaps you can build up his confidence by pointing out some things that he was able to learn how to do. Assure him that Jehovah will bless his efforts, and encourage him to pray for help. (Prov. 16:3; 1 John 5:14, 15) You might encourage your student to set reasonable but progressive goals—perhaps they could focus first on learning the signs for everyday terms and feelings. Sometimes, deaf ones with no exposure to sign language have developed their own signs. Perhaps you could ask the deaf person what signs he uses for various things and then use that as a bridge to teaching the corresponding signs in your sign language. He can learn how to use our DVD publications and especially the Bible on his own during his personal time. Deaf ones with limited language ability often feel frustrated due to their circumstances. By our patient and loving support, we can motivate these ones to make good progress in learning sign language so they can benefit from the Bible and our DVD publications.
7. Why should we not hold back from introducing the truth to those who have limited language ability?
7 Jehovah does not look down on those with little secular education. (Job 34:19) It is the person’s heart that Jehovah is searching. (1 Chron. 28:9) So do not hold back from introducing the truth to those who have limited language ability. You have many excellent tools that you can start with. Eventually, depending on his progress, you could transfer the study to Good News—On DVD or Bible Teach—On DVD and give him a more rounded understanding of the Scriptures.
[Box]
If the householder has limited sign language ability, try this:
• Initially use Listen to God and Live Forever—On DVD or Listen to God.
• Treat him with dignity, and commend generously.
• Keep discussions brief, and do not try to cover too much material.
• Help him develop his language skills.
• As he demonstrates appreciation for the truth and an appetite for learning, you may be able to transfer the study to Good News—On DVD or Bible Teach—On DVD.