You Can Actually Practice Soul Winning!
Here is an idea: Make a note card for each of the scenarios listed below, put them in a hat, get together with other nursing home ministry people (or your Sunday School class, etc.), and a couple of people act through the situation that they read on the card they pick. A great idea would be to videotape each segment and have a discussion! Think of other possibilities and add them to the pile!
WITNESSING ROLE PLAYING
How would you open up a conversation in these situations?
Example No. 1 - You meet a new senior; ask about their past; they tell you they are 93 and have not been feeling well lately.
Example No. 2 - You are visiting an old person in the hospital; you know they are not doing well; they know you; you know them.
Example No. 3 - You are visiting an old person in the hospital; you know they are not doing well; they know you; you know them; a family member is in the room.
Example No. 4 - After a meeting, an invitation is given; you see who raised their hand; you know you need to take one of them aside.
Example No. 5 - One of the old folk tell you they are going to the hospital; You ask when and why; you don’t know them so you don’t know their spiritual status.
Example No. 6 - One of the old folk tell you they are going to the hospital; you know them; you think you know they are saved.
Example No. 7 - One of the elderly that you see every meeting wants to talk to you; they tell you that they don’t feel forgiven for something a long time ago.
Example No. 8 - A new person at the meeting tells you they enjoyed it; they tell you that they are not very religious; they mention that all faiths have good in them.
Example No. 9 - You are chatting with someone after the service; they tell you they have gone to church their whole life; they tell you that they were confirmed and baptized.
Example No. 10 - The daughter of one of the elderly tells you her mother loves the meetings; she says it’s not for her, but she’s glad that her mother is enjoying them.
Example No. 11 - Someone asks you to visit someone in the hospital; you don’t know them.
Example No. 12 - You are visiting an old person in the hospital; they are not doing well; they are lying quietly with their eyes closed; you know them; they know you.
Some thoughts...Can you sing? Sing hymns! Read familiar Scripture, loud, clear and alive! Hold their hand(s). Use a cool cloth on their forehead, if appropriate. Give cold water, if appropriate. Ask if there is anything you can do. Pray...loudly! Be at ease. What else can you think of?