One of the ministries I ask our small groups to do is to visit people in the hospital or nursing homes. However, if someone has not done a visit like this before, it can be intimidating. Here is a simple teaching I created for our small group members to use when they visit people in the hospital.
HOW TO DO A H.O.S.P.I.T.A.L. VISIT
“I was sick and you visited me”
Matthew 25:36
- Honor his time by letting him know that you are coming.
- Offer a gift (card, book, flowers, Bible, etc.)
- Support him by listening, not talking.
- Provide positive upbeat energy and be encouraging and optimistic.
- Inspire him to get better by talking about future events and activities that he can look forward to doing once he gets out of the hospital.
- Talk little and make it brief, but when you do talk, be sure to talk about God.
- Ask if you can help in any way.
- Lift him up in prayer and tell him that the pastors at church are praying for him.
SCRIPTURES YOU MIGHT WANT TO SHARE AT YOUR VISIT
Believers Who Are Sick
Psalm 23; 46; 118:1-8; Matthew 6:25-34; John 14:1-6; 16-18; Romans 5:1-8; 8:26-39; Hebrews 4:14-16; James 1:2-6; 1 John 5:1-5
Believers Who Are Dying or Bereaved
Psalm 23; 116:15; John 14:1-6; 2 Corinthians 1:3-7; 5:1-9; Philippians 1:21-23; 3:20-21
Scripture for Unbelievers
Psalm 32:1-5; John 3:16-18; Romans 10:9-13; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 John 5:9-13
Be a R.O.M.A.N Witness to an Unbeliever
- Righteousness is something that no one has (Romans 3:23)
- On the road to death is where everyone is going (Romans 6:23)
- Man is who God died for (Romans 5:8)
- A faith in Christ saves you from death (Romans 10:9-10)
- No one who calls on Jesus will die (Romans 10:13)
