In the majority of countries, the Deaf are not equipped to evangelize, disciple or plant churches. They have never had someone clearly explain the Bible in their heart language.
Throughout the world, a small percentage of the Deaf have been evangelized, but the majority of them have never been systematically discipled. Instead, they are "objects" of the interpreted ministry of hearing churches and have little or no opportunity to become mature believers who use their spiritual gifts. There are very few countries in which a strong, indigenous Deaf church exists.
Our Solution
DOOR intends to equip a small group of Deaf believers in every country of the world and in major regions of large countries. Learning and understanding the Bible is the central focus of their training. This core of Deaf believers works with other Deaf believers in their country (if there are any) to be the "salt and light" who bring the gospel, biblical training, and indigenous Deaf churches to their home country.
Methodology
D.O.O.R. International has spent the last 10 years working directly with over 300 Deaf from 49 countries developing training concepts that are Deaf-friendly.
DOOR uses these concepts to develop specific Bible-based training for Deaf leaders communicated and modeled by Deaf trainers/mentors.
- Bible Study: D.O.O.R. International Deaf staff has developed a 5-step inductive Bible study within the context of Deaf culture and language. This method of studying the Bible is utilized in the following series of Bible studies:
- Evangelism - 32 chronological Bible stories
- Discipleship - 77 chronological Bible stories
- Believers' Fellowship - 35 chronological Bible stories
- Evangelism: D.O.O.R. International Deaf staff and graduates of DOOR's program have developed specific training in:
- Sharing personal testimony.
- Presenting a specific "short evangelism story" that can be taught to Deaf evangelists.
- Asking inductive questions about the "evangelism story" that lead to understanding of God's plan of salvation.
- Teaching chronological Bible studies of 32 foundational Bible stories that will help a Deaf person understand God, creation, man & woman, Satan, sin, separation from God, the need for a Savior, Jesus, salvation, the Holy Spirit, and believers' fellowship. These stories will be taught individually and in small groups to all Deaf wanting to learn.
- Discipleship: D.O.O.R. International has developed a second Chronological Bible Storying series consisting of 77 Bible stories that will help Deaf people to learn how to be obedient worshippers of God and followers of Christ under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
- D.O.O.R. International staff and graduates will teach Deaf people who accept Christ how to form local Deaf Believers' Fellowships focused on the key elements of "church" found in the Book of Acts (e.g. God's Word, prayer, worship, fellowship, caring and sharing, the Lord's Supper, and baptism).
- Using biblical guidelines found in Timothy and Titus, D.O.O.R. International staff and graduates will train and equip local Deaf leaders who can oversee the growth and reproduction of Deaf Believers' Fellowships.
- D.O.O.R. International staff will provide training and tools to Christian and secular Deaf leaders in areas of community empowerment and development. This will include specific training in areas such as vision, planning, budgeting, establishing goals, problem solving, team building, developing advocates, and community activism for Deaf people's rights to interpreters, as well as education, jobs, medical services, health services, and other social services.
Chronological Bible Storying
DOOR uses a revolutionary, yet ancient, approach to teaching the Bible: Chronological Bible Storying. For thousands of years, God's Word was passed down through the oral tradition of storytelling. Research has shown that still today, people groups who do not have a written form of their heart language generally learn through stories, poems, dramas, and songs. They do not learn through points, principles, or thematic teaching. 
In the hearing world, these people groups are called "oral" learners. For the Deaf, that is an ironic term, but in fact, Deaf people share most, if not all, of the characteristics of "oral" learners. (Visit the People Teams site to read a wonderful description of the characteristics of "oral" cultures vs. "book" cultures, and the benefits of Chronological Bible Storying with oral learners.)
DOOR's Deaf staff chose Chronological Bible Storying as the most culturally appropriate way to teach their own people worldwide the Word of God. We have found that not only is this a very effective way to teach Deaf people, but it is transferable; they are able to go teach it to others. The core of DOOR's curriculum, developed by our Deaf staff, consists of over 100 biblical stories. Deaf believers learn how to use these stories to lead Bible studies, home groups, worship services, evangelism, discipleship, leadership training, children's classes, camp programs, etc. Again and again, they say that they never really knew the Bible until they learned it through Chronological Bible Storying.