Deaf Spirit
The coursework for this program will be linked to GoReact.com
Read the syllabus for this course
Meet your instructor
Patrick Graybill is a renowned actor, a master poet, storyteller, and teacher, and Roman Catholic deacon.
He's from Overland Park, Kansas, a family in which the parents were hearing but five of their seven children were Deaf. Everyone signed. He graduated from Kansas School for the Deaf in Olathe, and was inspired to pursue an acting career . . . and also loved storytelling. After graduating from KSD in 1958, he earned his B.A. degree in English at Gallaudet College in 1963. There was no Theater or Drama major, and Robert F. Panara encouraged him to major in English. After earning his Master's degree, he taught educationally deprived sixth-graders at KDES.
Orientation (Sep 10) –
Slides Link for Orientation video
Week 1 (Sunday, Sep 27) – Why we read Scripture
Objective:
Build confidence that Scripture is central to Lutheran faith and accessible to all believers.
Key readings:
Psalm 119:1-5
2 Timothy 3:14-17 Luther’s Preface to the New Testament (summary)
Discussion:
What fears or barriers do you have about reading the Bible?
Practice:
Include a daily 10-minute reading habit.
Deaf Spirit Academy Power Point
Week 2 (Thursday, Oct 8) – What the Bible is
Objective:
Understanding the Bible - structure, genres, and formation
Key readings:
Luke 1:1-4
Hebrews 1:1-2
Genesis 1-2
Discussion:
How do genres (law, gospel, poetry, prophecy, letters, and others shape interpretation? What does “canon” mean in Lutheran tradition?
Practice:
Study the Bible maps
Week 3 (Sunday, Oct 11) – Law and Gospel
Objective:
Learn the Lutheran Interpretative lens that unlocks Scripture
Key readings:
Exodus 20
Romans 3:19-24
John 3:16-17
Practice:
Annotate a short passage to indicate law and gospel
Week 4 (Thursday, Oct 22) – Reading the Old Testament
Objective:
Build comfort with Old Testament narrative, covenant, themes, and prophetic voices.
Key readings:
Genesis 12
2 Samuel 7
Isaiah 40
Discussion:
How do covenants shape the story of salvation?
Where do we see Christ foreshadowed?
Practice:
Trace one covenant promise through Scripture
Week 5 (Sunday October 25) – Reading the Gospels
Objective:
Understand the distinct voices of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Key readings:
Mark 1
Matthew 5
Luke 15
John 1
Discussion:
What makes each Gospel unique?
How do we read Jesus’ teachings, parables, and miracles?
Practice:
Compare one story across two Gospels
Week 6 (Thursday November 5) – Reading Paul and the New Testament Lessons
Objective:
Learn how to read epistles and pastoral letters to real communities.
Key readings:
Judges 19 (summary only)
1 Corinthians 11
Revelation 1
Discussion:
How do Lutherans interpret Scripture with Christ at the center?
What do we do when a passage seems harsh or unclear?
Practice:
Use a 4-step method : context, genre, audience, Christ-centered lens
Week 7 (Sunday November 8) – Difficult Passages and Lutheran Hermeneutics
Objective:
Empower adults to handle confusion, trouble, or culturally distant texts
Key readings:
2 Samuel 15:23
Matthew 26:31-36
Revelation 12:1-4
Discussion:
What is something you learned from reading a footnote that you did not know before?
How do Bible commentaries help you understand the Bible?
Practice:
Use a 4-step method : context, genre, audience, Christ-centered lens
Week 8 (Thursday November 19) – Building a Lifelong Reading Habit
Objective:
Create sustainable personal and communal Bible-reading habits.
Key readings:
Psalm 23
Colossians 3:16
Acts 2:42
Discussion:
What practices help Scripture become part of daily life?
How can Lutheran adults read together (small groups, lectionary, devotionals)?
Practice:
Build a personalized 30-day reading plan