Family Sign & Play Series

The intent of this guide is to help your family discover that God loves us so much that He shows us how to live. When God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, He was teaching His people how to love Him and how to love others.

This study helps children see that rules are not meant to take away fun, but to show us what is good, safe, and loving, just like a parent’s rules help protect and guide their children. Through story, sign, and play, your child will see that God cares about how we live and that His way is best.

Like all of God’s Word, this story reminds us that God communicates with His people, and that includes our Deaf and Hard of Hearing children. God sees, knows, and loves each one of us.

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A Note to Parents

It can be awkward or intimidating as you learn the ASL alphabet. You might not feel confident learning some words because it feels strange to be learning a new language with your hands, your face, and your body. Take heart. It is completely okay to feel this way.

As you begin to immerse yourself in this visual and expressive language, you will see how it radiates emotion through facial expression and body movement. Just as the tone of your voice communicates emotion, facial expressions are the “voice” of ASL.

ASL is a full and complex language with its own grammar and rules. Give yourself permission to learn at your own pace. Every step counts.

Helpful Tips When Preparing and Watching ASL Scripture

• Do not try to read your Bible and watch the ASL Scripture video at the same time.
• Read the passage first.
• Close your Bible and mark your place.
• Watch the Scripture in ASL.
• Write down any words or signs you recognize.
• Read the Bible passage again.
• Pray.

Prayer

Lord, You gave Moses instructions in many ways, and You are limitless in power and wisdom. Give me the heart of Job, to truly acknowledge that You alone have absolute power and wisdom. Help me learn sign language so I can teach the child You have entrusted to me. I want them to know Your laws and meditate on Your Word. Give them the heart of Joshua.

Equip me as a disciple-maker for Your purpose. Help me take back what the enemy has stolen. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

References: Job 42:2 (NASB) / Joshua 1:6-9 (NLT)

• God
• Moses
• Mountain
• Commandment
• Law
• Love
• Obey
• Good
• Help
• Stone
• Tablet
• Listen
• Heart
• People

• Your Bible
• Access to the DKC Ministries App or Deaf Kids Connect website
• Access to the Deaf Bible App or Deaf Missions website
• Access to the Deaf Harbor website or YouTube channel
• Two paper plates or cardboard pieces
• Markers or crayons
• Play-doh
• Flashlight or lamp
• Blanket or towel

Start with Prayer

Open your Bible to Exodus 19–20. Encourage your children to bring their Bibles too.

Say/Sign: This is the Bible. It is true. The Bible tells us how God gave rules to help us live His way.

Watch Exodus 20:1-17 ASLV.

Say/Sign: Long ago, God’s people were in the desert near a mountain called Sinai. Moses went up the mountain to talk with God. A big cloud came down, and there was thunder and lightning. God told Moses to tell the people He loved them and wanted them to live in a way that showed His love. God gave Moses ten special rules called commandments. God wrote them on stone with His own finger.

God’s rules tell us how to love Him and love other people. God said, “I am your God! Obey Me.”

Act It Out

Say/Sign: Let’s pretend we are there with Moses.

• Use your flashlight as “lightning” — flash it around while you play soft “rumbling” sounds with your hands on your legs.
• Put a blanket over your shoulders like a “cloud.”
• Let one parent be “Moses” and climb (pretend!) up the mountain.

Parent/Moses Says/Signs: God, I am here.

Say/Sign: God gave Moses two stone tablets with His rules. Let’s make our own!

• Who gave Moses the rules. God.
• Where were they given. On the mountain.
• What are they called. The Ten Commandments.
• Why did God give them. Because He loves us.
• How do we show love for God. Obey Him.

Going Deeper

• Why does God want us to listen to His rules. Because He knows what is best.
• How do you feel when you obey and do something kind. Happy. Loved.

There are four different activities. Choose one that fits your family. This curriculum is for ages 0 to 6. Modify anything as needed. Be creative.

Activity 1: Make the Commandments

Give each child two plates or pieces of cardboard.

Say/Sign: Let’s make our own tablets like God gave Moses.

Write or draw simple commands such as Love God, Be Kind, Obey Parents. Use pictures or stickers for younger children.

Activity 2: Build It in Play-doh

Give each child some Play-doh.

Say/Sign: “Let’s make a mountain! Then let’s make Moses, or the tablets, or hearts to show love.”

While building, talk about how God used the mountain to meet with Moses.
Ask: “Who gave the rules?” (God!) “Why?” (Because He loves us!)
Encourage them to “pretend” God is giving Moses the tablets and let them pass them to you saying/signing “God loves us!”

Activity 3: Follow the Leader

Say/Sign: God’s people followed Moses. Let’s play a game where we follow the leader.

Everyone can stand in a circle or line with one leader in front. The leader chooses a movement and
everyone copies it. If someone is too slow or does the wrong movement, they sit out until a new
leader is chosen. You can also play this like Simon Says, but say “God says” instead.

Movement ideas include squatting, arm windmills, acting like a bird or monkey, clapping hands,
turning around, and doing jumping jacks.

Say/Sign: We follow God in life.

Activity 4: Ten Commandments Song

Use Deaf Harbor’s ASL music video by Lulu Sorenson to help children learn through rhythm, movement, and handshapes.

YouTube: Ten Commandments ASL Music Video

Step 1: Set Up

• Choose an open space.
• Have children sit or stand in a U-shape.
• Open the video.

Step 2: Watch Through Once

Let them absorb the rhythm and flow.

Step 3: Learn the Handshapes

Lulu uses numbers 1 through 10 to represent each commandment.
Tip: Change video speed to 0.25 in the YouTube settings.

Step 4: Pause and Repeat Practice

Play short sections. Copy handshapes together.

Step 5: Key ASL Words

• Only One
• Bow
• Lousy
• Focus All Day
• Dad Mom
• Kill
• Faithful
• Steal
• Lie
• Covet

Step 6: Review

Ask which commandment was easy or hard and why God gave rules.

Step 7: Connect It to Worship

Explain how our hands, faces, and bodies worship God visually.

God, thank You for giving us Your rules that show love. Help us use our hands, faces, and hearts to worship You. Teach us to remember Your commandments and live them with joy. Amen.

Rules bring confidence and peace. When God gave His commandments, He was expressing love in language. Just as you sign love and guidance to your child, God “signed” His love to us through His commands.

Many Deaf children have historically been denied access to communication, language, and spiritual understanding. When you invest in ASL, you are investing in your child’s heart and building something that many Deaf children do not receive until adulthood.

Your child is being shaped to change lives. You are part of the story God is writing in them.

Understanding “Breaking the Bondage”

Deaf children do not learn spoken language through incidental learning. English is a second language for them, and the process can be difficult. A strong first language in sign gives Deaf children the tools to think, communicate, and understand Scripture.

There are nearly 400 signed languages in the world, yet Deaf children are still often underserved. Less than 2 percent of Deaf people worldwide have access to the Gospel.

With ASL as a foundation, Deaf children grow into confident disciples who can lead and teach others.

Why God Chose You

You may feel overwhelmed. But God equips those He calls. You are called. God believes in you and chose you as your child’s first teacher and spiritual leader. Through your love, patience, and willingness to learn, you are shaping a future disciple who will impact others.

You are already changing the story. Keep going. We are with you.