As I was singing for nursing home ministry several years ago one of the ladies asked me, “What have you surrendered?” That was a difficult question but is one that we should each ask ourselves each day. “What have I surrendered today?”
Ministry everywhere is about being in the place of a servant and being a servant is about surrender. I pray you will be blessed and challenged today to surrender one more thing to Christ. Be blessed as you do!
The pond is still warm enough to swim in and the willows have not even thought about turning to their Fall yellow wardrobe but it is not to early to begin planning your Thanksgiving program for nursing home!
Moms and Dads, Grampas and Grammas and yes even some sons and daughters will not be spending Thanksgiving with family because they are in long term skilled nursing care. Whatever the reason
they can not be with their own family, there is no reason in the universe that we can not plan on being a part of God’s family for them this year.
A) The first step is to right now go to your recreation department director and get on her or his busy calendar. It is never too early to reserve a day that will work best for you and your church team to go.
B) Spend time praying and then planning the best presentation you can put together. If you were doing for a program for your church you would do no less than your best. Consider investing in materials such as song books, costumes, or decorations. One big hit with our local nursing home is the cookies that the youth hand out after the program!
C) Assemble your team (even if that is just 2-3) and begin to practice-practice-practice what you have decided together to do. Plan on a program of about 20 – 25 minutes maximum. Whatever more time you have after doing your music, skits and devotional should be given to personal visiting. The more our team has been going back over these last few years, the more the nursing home residents begin to remember their names and faces. Some of our most shy team members are the biggest hits among residents. We have many materials available for you to use including, workbooks, guides and a variety of true stories to inspire you long your own ministry journey.
Here is a short video giving a few of the basics that may help you to prepare
If you have already read “Would You Do It For One?”, then you might ask, “Well I have already seen the need, why do I need this workbook?” The difference between reading the book and committing to this seven week course is the same as the contrast of what Jesus did when He met the woman at the well and what the disciples did that day. Jesus used for the opportunity to help just one person and he reached an entire village. The disciples went into the village without telling a single person about Jesus! Here is your challenge for week one. Meet one person who is a resident in a nursing home. If you already know someone (like a family member) and have visited on occasion, then dedicate this week to meeting someone new. After you have made your visit this week take some time and complete the homework project for this session
Get to know their world:
heart
Get ready for the dance!
If you are considering Nursing Home Ministry or any other kind of work for God, this workbook is for you! Let’s begin with the story usually called, “the Parable of the Good Samaritan” which I have titled, “The Parable of the Good Neighbor”
Luke 10:30-35 NKJV Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compass
ion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’
The first person we meet is the man who fell among thieves. His story was a lot like that of the residents in any nursing home. The thieves that caught him by surprise go by various names, such as age, physical disability or disease. People fall into a syst
em where they lose control of their finances, their health and their personal freedom.
Three different people came by the man that day. The first was a priest. He came from a good family, had chosen to dedicate himself to God’s work and was recognized as a leader in his community. But in spite of his opportunity to show God’s mercy, that day he failed.
He passed by, saw the need but chose not to get involved. The second man was only a follower of the first, so he simply took the same path – the path of least resistance. 
Last in line came the Samaritan. This was the man from whom no one expected any help. But when the Samaritan passed by that place, he saw the need, rolled up his sleeves and got involved. He became a neighbor when he became a part of the injured man’s world…
This work book is designed not just to inspire you, but to challenge you to become a “roll up your sleeves” neighbor! Over the following pages you will find some questions, some homework and suggested projects which will call you to action. If you are ready, then roll up your sleeves and let’s get to work!
The above is the introduction to our manual on nursing home ministry. For more information stay tuned for posts over the next month or find us on amazon under the title Would You Do It For One? and Would You Do It For One? Workbook. Be blessed today as you begin your journey!
Walking With Lambs 