You may have seen how Deaf people whose primary mode of communication is sign language struggle to read a written Bible. Page after page, a Deaf person often exhausts themselves attempting to decipher the meanings behind the written Word. For Deaf people, any written language is a second/foreign language. So it’s not a surprise that they tend to turn to other people for assistance. And more often than not, they are encouraged to keep “reading” the Bible on their own.
This video demonstrates how a Bible in Sign Language benefits Deaf people. The milk, in this case, represents when a person is provided the Gospel in a format they understand. Once they accept and receive Jesus as their Savior, growth happens, and they can begin to know Him more through His Word, the Bible.
Because of this, we are using the chocolate syrup to symbolize God’s Words. Once you receive God’s Word and begin to absorb it, the Scriptures become a part of you. It’s an unfortunate reality that this deep connection with God’s Word does not often happen for Deaf people. More than 85% of the Deaf world is waiting to have the Scripture translated into their sign language. For most Deaf people, a written Bible will not provide a format for them to understand God more profoundly, so their spiritual growth remains stagnant.
Deaf people desire to apply the Scriptures from the Bible to their lives and become more like Christ.
Written Bibles are not meeting the need. Deaf people need Deaf Bibles. Bibles in Sign Languages. In their heart languages. The opportunity we have to provide a solution is this; the spoon represents the Bible in Sign Language. Do you notice the change in its color when you begin to stir it up?
This is what happens when Deaf people experience God’s Words in Sign Language. Bible Absorption. Increased understanding of God. Scripture is written on their hearts and expressed on their hands. The Deaf can form a deep and profound relationship with Jesus. And the result, life transformation!
That’s the change we want to see. That is the change we pursue until all the Deaf have seen. Would you join us as we journey toward the day a Bible is available in every sign language?
Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.
Matthew 28:19-20