What to do: visit the sick

Before the fall

Read Genesis 1:31: - How did God describe creation? - Originally, was there any sickness? - What would it be like to live in a world with no sickness? - What brought sickness in? (Genesis 3:17-19)

Consider how Revelation 21:4 describes heaven. What will not be there?

Old Testament examples

Sickness is sometimes the result of sin. Read 2 Samuel 12:14-18.
- Who is in control of when we live or die? - Did this keep David from praying for the boy's health? - What was David confident in after the boy died? (see verse 23)

Read 2 Chronicles 16:12-13. - What happened to King Asa? - What did Asa do wrong? - Does this mean it is wrong to see physicians?

Read 1 Kings 17:17-24: - Who was sick in this story? - What did the lady do when this happened? - What did Elijah do? - What did God do? - What was the result of this miracle? (see verse 24) - What does this teach us about the purpose of miracles? (They exist to back up a message.)

In Ezekiel 34:4 the prophet Ezekiel is speaking to the spiritual leaders of his day. What problem did he have with them in the first part of the verse?

New Testament Examples

Matthew 4:24 summarizes Jesus' ministry. What did He spend much time doing?

Glance through the gospels and list at least six times Jesus healed the sick.

Read Matthew 25:41-46.
- What does Jesus expect of those who follow Him according to verse 43. - When we visit the sick, who are we actually doing service to? (45)

In James 5:14 what does the Bible say the sick should do?

How to do it

Ask Questions

  1. We must be deliberate in our conversations when we visit the sick.
  2. We must ask the kind of questions will eventually lead to spiritual conversation.

Example progression: 1. Ask the sick about themselves, their condition, and their recommended treatment. 2. Ask about their family, specifically who has been caring for them. 3. Then try to turn the conversation to a spiritual matter. You can do this by asking how you can pray for them. 4. Always turn them to hope in Christ.

Read Scripture

What does Hebrews 4:12 say about the power of the word?

“Even when patients are very weak, we should read the word, quote it, repeat so as to impress it, emphasize and explain its rich instructions….to read or quote passages of Scripture will frequently be a great relief to the pastor when the case is so serious and pressing that, of himself, he is utterly at a loss what to say. It is well therefore that ministers have a large store of passages suitable for the sick laid up in memory and ready for use.” - Thomas Murphy (19th century pastor)

Passages of comfort

  • Psalm 23
  • Psalm 28
  • Psalm 46
  • Psalm 62
  • Psalm 145
  • Hebrews 4:14-16

Short gospel passages

  • John 11:25-26
  • Romans 5:6-11
  • 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
  • Ephesians 2:1-10

Passages on suffering

  • 2 Corinthians 12:7-9
  • James 1:2-4
  • 1 Peter 1:6-7
  • 1 Peter 4:12-19

Passages on the hope of eternity with Christ

  • John 10:27-30
  • John 14:1-3
  • Philippians 1:21-23
  • 1 Peter 1:3-5

Pray the gospel

What do you do when someone asks you to pray over someone on their deathbed that you know probably ins't saved? The expectation will be that you pray something like "Lord, receive this person" but that would be wrong. Pray a prayer that articulates the gospel as her and everyone else's only hope.

When the gospel is prayed, the gospel is heard.

Leave a note

Often when visiting a hospital, the person will be either busy or sleeping. In these cases, always leave a note.

A note lets them know you took the time to seek them out and that you are praying for them. They can read the note again and again.

You can also leave a book or a tract for them to read.

Touch with discernment

Appropriate physical touch can communicate love and care that words cannot.

Sometimes the sick can feel like they have leprosy and that no one wants to be near them. Doing something like holding their hands communicates your love and care.

Be careful with those of the opposite sex. If in doubt, don't touch them.

Look them in the eye

Often the sick are in an embarrassing state of disarray. Looking them in the eye shows respect for them during an embarrassing time.

Bad eye contact communicates disinterest, boredom, and presumed tension. These are magnified in a hospital room.

Prepare your heart

Make sure you visit out of love, not just out of duty.

If the patient thinks we are just checking off a list, our visit can do more harm than good.

Prepare your heart for terrible situations.

Know what you are going to say, what scriptures you are going to use and be ready to pray before you get into these situations.