Lausanne World Pulse – Christ’s Compassion for “The Least” and People with Disabilities

September 2007

By Joni Eareckson Tada
September 2007

The Church has the opportunity to lead the way in transforming the plight most disabled people face by serving and becoming a loving, healing community to this population. Christians in cities and villages around the world can truly demonstrate the same compassion of Jesus Christ that he showed toward disabled people throughout the Gospels. How can the Church change its attitude toward people with disabilities? The answer is simple: it begins with you. 

Personal Models
 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:3-5). So let us consider how Jesus would relate to someone with a disability. The following are personal guidelines for you to follow when encountering a disabled person or his or her family:

  1. Review in the Gospels the example of Jesus and how he treated disabled persons. Ask several Christians to pray for you as you endeavor to reach out to the disabled in your community.
  2. Do not look at the person’s impairment; look into the eyes and smile.
  3. Reach out and touch the person, if not with a handshake, then with a hand on the shoulder. Do not pat a person’s head as you would a child.
  4. Do not shout at a blind person; he or she can hear you.
  5. Use a pencil and paper to communicate with a deaf person. If he or she cannot read, you can draw pictures.
  6. Communicate with the disabled person as you would anyone else, asking about family, home or other interests; do not talk only about the disability. Feel free to ask questions; however, avoid questions which are morbid or highly personal.
  7. Invite the person to church and ask questions as to how you and your congregation might make his or her visit a positive experience. If he or she uses a wheelchair, it may be necessary to construct a ramp using boards. If he or she “walks” using his hands, remember the lesson of James 2:2-4.
  8. Visit the disabled person in his or her home; this will give you a clear idea of the needs of the family. Find a way to help the family. Remember that they also are weary and isolated. In Proverbs 31:8-9, God calls us to advocate on behalf of the disabled.
  9. Introduce the disabled person to other members of your congregation.

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