Want to share the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ with nursing-home residents? Bless your heart! You’ll of course want to begin by praying for soft hearts and personal wisdom before (and during) each visit. Then, to bring the Lord into the conversation, consider these idea starters:
- Interject a Bible passage related to the subject at hand – why He allows suffering, for instance, or what we must do to be saved, or how this life is a blink of an eye and the best is yet to come. A personal favorite: 2 Corinthians 4:17-18.
- Talk about what Christ has done in your own life. Just one example: describe a recent experience that would have devastated the “old” you, but has presented the “new” you with an opportunity for reflection, repentance, or rejoicing.
- Comment on the message delivered by a secular TV program – for instance, one that denied the existence of God, or illustrated the collapse of biblical values in our culture.
- Ask the resident what he or she thinks heaven will be like, and who will be there. Be prepared to share what the Bible has to say on the subject.
- Offer to pray for him or her, and segue into the power of prayer – and perhaps into the attributes and character of God, and how much He loves this world and everyone in it.
- Search out and biblically address an area of particular interest. For instance, if an elderly man enjoys discussing current events, be prepared to show him how much of today’s news first appeared on the pages of the Bible -- in Psalm 83 and Ezekiel 38, for example.
- Invite residents to an upcoming, on-site Christian event. Many facilities conduct their own worship services or hymn sings, or allow local churches to do so. Familiarize yourself with these opportunities and spread the word.
- Offer to read from the Bible—perhaps using an easy-to-understand modern translation. Consider starting with gripping and easy-to-follow books like Genesis or Ruth, or begin with a beloved and familiar passage such as Psalm 23 or the Sermon on the Mount.
- Be ready to share the gospel using your favorite approach – Evangelism Explosion’s, the Way of the Master’s, or some other orderly, memorable and proven technique for leading the lost to the Lord.
- Keep some large-print gospel tracts on hand as leave-behinds. Ask your church to order some; or use a favorite tract as an outline to create your own, printing it out on heavy paper or card stock.
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