How do you disciple a new Christian who cannot read or write?
By Rod Dreher
Rawlings School of Divinity
CLED 720: Biblical & Theological Foundations of Education
Genevieve Hamer
July 1, 2022
How do you disciple a new Christian who cannot read or write?
God desires them to know his word and ways to the same extent as the doctors and
lawyers in your congregation. Here have been five practical ways we have cared for those who
struggle to read well or read at all:
1) Audio Bible
Never assume you can give someone a Bible, tell them to read your recommended
passages for new Christians, and think your effort is done. As soon as I realized this elderly
brother could not read, but had a CD player, I went and bought him audio CD’s of a good
translation of the Bible. The following week when I came to visit him unannounced he was
listening to them. He tells me he spends hours a day listening to God’s Word being read.
2) Audio Sermons
If he can listen to the Bible being read, he can listen to the Bible being preached. Any good
faithful expository sermons are good. However, if this member misses church regularly because
of physical ailments, be sure to provide him with audio sermons from your local congregation.
That way, he will stay connected with the ministry of your church.
3) Read Scripture with them
One of the reasons Richard Baxter was so faithful to visit people in their homes was to
check to make sure they understood what was being preached and read to them. Many of
them were common people and could not read well. Visiting someone in their home and
reading Scripture to them are always fruitful ways to serve and encourage your fellow church
members. Imagine the fruitfulness of your efforts to do the same for those who cannot read at
all. You will find those who cannot read receive the public and private reading of Scripture more
eagerly than those who can.
4) Pre-sermon discussion
Try to call and visit those who have trouble reading the day before they will hear the word
preached. Read the passage with them, share a few insights from the passage you have
gathered through your own preparation to hear the word preached, then pray that the Lord will
give them understanding when they gather with God’s people and hear the word read and
preached. Any mature Christian in your local church can do this, and I promise you, anyone you
serve in this way will hear the word with a greater attentiveness.
5) Use good children’s materials
I find myself regularly giving out good children’s resources not just to those who read at a
basic level, but new Christians in general. Good gospel-centered children’s materials don’t
change the message at all, they just simplify it. I just walked an unbeliever through the Two
Ways to Live tract and sent the children’s version home with him. I regularly have new
Christians in our church reading David Helm’s The Big Picture Story Bible and those that do in a
matter of months have a grasp on redemptive history that I would argue most Christians do
not.
