A story about learning ASL, seeing people the way Jesus does, and teaching our preteen compassion in a world full of noise and distraction.
Discovering a New Language of Love
It was about time for me to select my elective class for “a language other than English,” and I was not thrilled. Learning another language seemed complicated.
One Sunday at church, I noticed an interpreter signing for the section reserved for those who were hard of hearing or hearing impaired and I had a lightbulb moment.
That is what I wanted to learn.
I loved helping people, and there was something so graceful and expressive about communicating entirely through your hands and face. Sure enough, it was an option at my school. It was one of the first years they offered American Sign Language (ASL) as an elective, and I was part of the very first class. I was excited… but I had no idea how much this adventure would shape my perspective and my relationships.
And this experience has made me ask myself:
Do I have time to notice others? Or am I distracted by my own world?
How do you teach a child compassion for others?
What does empathy really look like?
My First Steps Into a Silent World
As I walked into class the first week, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. We covered the basics of finger spelling, core vocabulary, body position, and even how your facial expressions and mouth movements add clarity and emphasis to what you’re signing.
Then came the biggest surprise:
Two of my classmates were hard of hearing.
I became friends with them quickly. I was fascinated by how someone could grow up in silence without already knowing sign language. They had learned to communicate through lip reading but they were eager to learn ASL for the first time.
Our small group from class began attending “Silent Dinners,” where we would practice only using sign language. No speaking allowed. We even practiced ordering from the table host as if we were unable to hear or speak. It was meant to give us perspective a small glimpse into what it might feel like to live in a “silent world.”
After being in that class, learning so much, and attending those dinners, it didn’t take long to realize:
I had been blind even hearing impaired to a whole world of people living in silence.
God took me through an experience that stretched my heart to love people the way God made them. He grew my heart for loving others in our differences. He grew my patience and grace when people learn differently, live differently, or choose differently than I do.
What Christ-Centered Parenting Really Looks Like
So how do I practice Christ-centered parenting in a way that helps my preteen understand compassion and empathy for others?
Colossians 3:12 says,
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Jesus saw people who were lost, hurting, and living in a kind of “silent world” of brokenness. Colossians reminds those of us who believe in Christ to be imitators of Christ to live the way He shows us to live.
That means I am to live in such a way that I:
- See and hear others and not be distracted.
- Go out of my way to serve and put myself in their situation to learn and be curious about their world.
- Love others despite our differences.
- Verbally communicate to my preteen that even though others look different, sound different, think differently, make choices differently, lead differently, smell different, learn differently, react differently, play differently… the same God who made you is the same God who made them. The same God who loves you is the same God who loves them. The same Jesus who died for you is the same Jesus who died for them.
The same way God wants us to love Him and love each other is the same love He wants us to show others, too.
Raising Godly Children Through Family Faith Formation
Parenting preteens means helping them learn what faith looks like in everyday life. It’s not just about knowing Bible verses—it’s about pointing them to Jesus and helping them develop a biblical worldview that shapes how they understand God, themselves, and the world around them
As parents, we’re inviting our preteen into a discipleship journey that grows over time. Through family devotionals, intentional conversations, shared faith habits, and the way we live out Christ’s love at home, we help form their hearts and lay a foundation that can carry them through the preteen years and beyond.
I don’t remember spiritual parenting being a keyword? Lot’s of things can be spiritual and this doesn’t read the right way for my intentions. Can we double check all the blogs for this and make sure that is parent discipleship or faith-based parenting or Christ-centered parenting.
Seeing Others the Way Jesus Does
Let’s be parents who see others the way Jesus does and raise our children to do the same. May we slow down, notice the overlooked, and teach our preteen the beauty of Christ’s compassion for all people.
Looking for more Christian parenting resources to help with faith formation for preteens? Visit Preteen Journey for preteen discipleship materials, family devotionals, and practical resources for Christian parents navigating the preteen years.