How do you phrase the question?

[Salty]

Note: This is a very serious subject - I would request that there be no funny responses.

If you go to the hospital -to see someone - and they could be very close to their deathbed

How do you bring up Spiritual things.

I'm sure you do not want to say "When you die are you going to Heaven"

So how you bring up eternity to such a person?

 

[HankD]

Note: This is a very serious subject - I would request that there be no funny responses.

If you go to the hospital -to see someone - and they could be very close to their deathbed

How do you bring up Spiritual things.

I'm sure you do not want to say "When you die are you going to Heaven"

So how you bring up eternity to such a person?

In all seriousness - You need to be blunt.

Not always possible directly and personally.

With my step-father I gave him a book which he started reading and realized right away the message was Jesus Christ as Savior.
There had been other times of witness but he always became angry sometimes almost to violence.

He became angry with the book and told me so but I firmly believed he responded to it positively before he passed on.

 

[Deacon]

I’ve worked in hospitals, ...being blunt often works.

I would often say I prayed for them or I might ask if I could pray with them if the opportunity seemed to lend itself to that. ...Had a long term relationship with a patient and his family just because I mentioned I prayed for him in a difficult situation.

If the visit was associated with a church ministry I would mention that others asked me to visit on their behalf. That sometimes opened a door to a spiritual discussion.

I once asked a patient if she knew where she would go when she died... she replied that she donated her body to a local research hospital... that ended that conversation quickly.

Rob

 

[JonC]

I agree with being direct.

Most on their deathbed know they are on their deathbed. I have seen people speak to them as if they were going to be fine and you could see a sense of disappointment on being falsely placated. I suggest being kind, direct and honest.

 

[37818]

This is something one should enter into prayerfully.

It is not to be confrontational, but friendly.

At this point in my life I might simply just ask, "I would like to know, If you were to explain to someone how to know God, what would you explain?"

The base question that one can ask anyone, "If you were to explain to someone how to become a Christian, what would you explain?"

You never directly correct any wrong answer, rather ask another appropriate or more appropriate question..

The objective is first to find out the persons spiritual need.

The end objective being to either found out if that person knows or does not know the gospel of grace through faith alone in Christ alone who dead and rose from the dead according to the holy scriptures, That God's forgiveness is full and complete based on His promise.

 

[Salty]

I agree with being direct.

Most on their deathbed know they are on their deathbed. I have seen people speak to them as if they were going to be fine and you could see a sense of disappointment on being falsely placated. I suggest being kind, direct and honest.

In this particular case, Linda does not know the severity. The other day - she was diagnosed with Brain cancer.
She originally went into the hospital for a collapsed lung. Her kids have not yet told her about the cancer.

 

[JonC]

In this particular case, Linda does not know the severity. The other day - she was diagnosed with Brain cancer.
She originally went into the hospital for a collapsed lung. Her kids have not yet told her about the cancer.

That makes it more difficult. But the urgency is there. I like the idea of praying with her.

 

[Jordan Kurecki]

This is something one should enter into prayerfully.

It is not to be confrontational, but friendly.

At this point in my life I might simply just ask, "I would like to know, If you were to explain to someone how to know God, what would you explain?"

The base question that one can ask anyone, "If you were to explain to someone how to become a Christian, what would you explain?"

You never directly correct any wrong answer, rather ask another appropriate or more appropriate question..

The objective is first to find out the persons spiritual need.

The end objective being to either found out if that person knows or does not know the gospel of grace through faith alone in Christ alone who dead and rose from the dead according to the holy scriptures, That God's forgiveness is full and complete based on His promise.

Im not sure where in the Bible you are getting the idea not to be confrontational.
Tell that to Stephen, or Paul, or like most of the OT prophets... hm...Stephen was
Stoned..so was Paul...the Apostles were persecuted...do you honestly think they would have been persecuted unless they were confrontational. If there is ever a time to be confrontational and blunt, the death bed is the time for it. Thats not to say you dont speak the truth in love or be friendly. But the idea that you cannot be kind and friendly without being confrontational is a false dilemma falacy.

There are many scenarios where being confeontational IS being loving. I think people need to stop separating the two as if they are opposite concepts.

 

[Salty]

That makes it more difficult. But the urgency is there. I like the idea of praying with her.

Mrs Salty did -- They are very good friends.

After an MRI - they have found cancer in her bones.

 

[JonC]

Mrs Salty did -- They are very good friends.

After an MRI - they have found cancer in her bones.

It is a tough time, more so if they do not know Christ.

I had a friend we lost a few years ago. He was around 50 and diagnosed with cancer in a lymph node. He was our small group leader and two days before he passed away he had us (the class) in his hospital room to say goodbye.

It was hard, but at the same time a blessing because of his relationship with God.

Just knowing your wife’s friend may not know the Lord must be heartbreaking. I think sometimes all we can do is simply share the gospel, pray, and be there for the person.

 

[37818]

Im not sure where in the Bible you are getting the idea not to be confrontational.
Tell that to Stephen, or Paul, or like most of the OT prophets... hm...Stephen was
Stoned..so was Paul...the Apostles were persecuted...do you honestly think they would have been persecuted unless they were confrontational. If there is ever a time to be confrontational and blunt, the death bed is the time for it. Thats not to say you dont speak the truth in love or be friendly. But the idea that you cannot be kind and friendly without being confrontational is a false dilemma falacy.

There are many scenarios where being confeontational IS being loving. I think people need to stop separating the two as if they are opposite concepts.

An often cited excerpt, ". . . speaking the truth in love . . . ." -- Ephesians 4:15.