5 Principles for Bible Study with Deaf Children
Welcome to the recap of our September parent support Zoom!
I’m Brittany Stacy, a wife and mom of three boys, including my middle son, who is profoundly deaf and uses ASL. I’ve been on a journey to create a space where my son, and kids like him, can connect with God’s Word in meaningful ways.
Before motherhood, I was heavily involved in youth ministry, where I loved guiding teens to think deeper about their faith. That experience now shapes how I teach my own kids about Jesus. Though I grew up in a Christian home and had faith at a young age, it wasn’t until my dad passed away when I was 20 that I fully realized the importance of living for Christ. This has profoundly influenced how I share my faith with my children.
Introducing 5 Key Principles for Bible Study with Deaf Kids
When it comes to teaching my kids, particularly my Deaf son, I’ve learned that certain principles help make Bible study not just a time of learning, but a meaningful, accessible experience. Here are the 5 principles I have noticed make the content we are learning have the greatest impact.
1. Routine
Children thrive on routine, and this is especially true for Deaf and Hard of Hearing kids. By establishing a consistent routine for Bible study time, they begin to anticipate and even look forward to it. It could be as simple as choosing a specific time each day or week to focus on God’s Word—whether it’s before bed, after dinner, or Sunday nights.
Routine doesn’t just help keep things organized; it also empowers our Deaf children by giving them something they can depend on and be “ahead of the game.” When we make a pattern out of our days, or within our Bible study times, our children can recognize the steps of the routine, which allows them to be the “expert” in the room. For example, if our children know after we pray, we’ll recite a specific Bible verse, or we’ll grab our Bibles and sit in the same place every time, they get to move to the next step of the routine with confidence without any need for prompting. This promotes independence but also communicates that we know they are capable. Routine gives our children ownership of their learning and a sense of control in an often unpredictable world.
2. One Main Point
When teaching young children, especially those under 5, it’s important to focus on one main point. I like to say as the people do…”Trust the process”—you don’t have to teach everything at once! If we’re studying the story of Jesus walking on water, the only takeaway might be, “Nothing is impossible for Jesus.” By keeping the focus simple and repeating it throughout the study, the message sinks in. Try to find one single message to convey that is firmly tied to a Truth about God. This will lay a solid foundation of who God really is and will create a strong base for why He is worthy of our worship and our lives as our children grow.
3. Make It Concrete
The Bible is full of both concrete stories and abstract concepts. For kids, especially younger ones and those learning ASL, it’s important to make the abstract ideas as tangible as possible. For example, using visuals or objects—like a toy sheep for a lesson on creation—helps them grasp the message.
Additionally, defining key terms is critical, especially “Christianese” words that are used in church but might not be fully understood. We need to break down words like “prayer” or “faith” into simple, clear ideas that make sense to our kids. I am a big believer that this is how God teaches us as parents many Truths about Him we often overlook. When we slow down and have to explain something in its simplest parts, we all benefit.
4. Visual Learning
Naturally, ASL is a visual language, but it’s important to add even more visual elements to your Bible study time. For me, I think one of the strongest cues for children is having an actual, printed Bible for each person to hold. That physical connection to the Bible emphasizes that when we take out this book, we’re learning Truth, not just another make-believe story. Without saying or signing anything, allowing your children to see and hold a Bible during Bible study times communicates THIS book is where we learn about God and this book is for you!
One memory that sticks with me is when my son was two years old. We were driving to the grocery store, and he had brought a small ESV Bible in his car seat with him. At a red light, I turned around to check on him, and watched as he looked up to the sky and signed, “God, His Word.” I was so touched. Even at the tiny age of two, he knew that this book was connected to the creator God. What a gift that God let me catch a glimpse of how He was drawing my son to know Him!
5. Storytelling
Children, particularly Deaf and Hard of Hearing kids, connect deeply with stories. The Bible is full of rich, engaging stories, and I try to bring them to life as much as possible. Acting out stories, using props, or even playing a game tied to concepts in a Bible story are all great ways to make the information stick!
One example I have done in the past is when we studied creation, I played “commander,” signing something like “tree” or “elephant,” and the kids in the group immediately responded by acting out those created things. This is a fun way to engage with the story and reinforce the lesson that when God commands something, it happens! When we can see it right before our eyes and experience it, it makes all the difference in our understanding and retention!
Applying These Principles
I hope these five principles—routine, focusing on one point, making it concrete, using visuals, and storytelling—can help you as you guide your Deaf or Hard of Hearing child in their faith journey. No matter where you are in your ASL journey or your child’s development, these principles are adaptable. You can adjust them to suit your family’s needs, whether you have toddlers or teenagers.
Bible study isn’t about perfection; it’s about making God’s Word accessible, engaging, and relevant to your child. Feel free to take these ideas and run with them! And remember, you’re not alone—reach out to our group if you have any questions or need additional resources. Let’s continue to walk this journey together, helping our kids connect with the God who made them, loves them, and has a plan for their lives.
Thank you for reading this blog and for committing to leading your child in their faith. It’s an incredible privilege, and I’m excited to see how God will use each of you to make His Word come alive in your homes!
Let’s go team!!!
Brittany Stacy