Are your regular nursing home Bible studies boring? Are staff and residents complaining that there’s nothing new in the studies to make them interesting? I have a great way for you to gain new insights, provide fresh insight and get staff excited about Bible studies again. God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble. The Bible tells us that God is always with us, helping us overcome our troubles. He doesn’t take those troubles away but provides strength we can rely on.
Are you looking for a fun yet educational Bible Study for your nursing home? As a nurse and the daughter of a doc, I understand the daily struggles that come with caring for family members. Believe me when I say I’ve been there! Two years ago my mom had to be moved into a nursing home because of her health. The days were long, the staff difficult to work with, and managing my job was near impossible.
But God has proven Himself faithful even in these difficult times. No matter what circumstances we face in life—He’s always there assisting us in all things so we can bring glory to Him Leading nursing homes and rehabilitation centres throughout North America use LIVE BOOKS to create a healthy environment and facilitate growth in their residents. Our team includes experts in spiritual care and therapy who have spent years designing practical study materials for the elderly and infirm populations we serve. is included herein Short Sermons For Seniors In Nursing Homes
Your Nursing Home Bible Study Will be a Success Let us help you train your staff with this FREE three-week Bible study series. It’s based on the DVD series, The Biblical Principles of Caregiving and will help both new and veteran caregivers understand how to apply scripture to their daily caregiving tasks. You’ll be amazed at how God can work in the hearts of those you are caring for through a biblical approach.
What Scripture Is for People in Nursing Homes?
For individuals living in nursing homes, finding comfort and strength in the Word of God can be incredibly uplifting. Whether facing health challenges, loneliness, or the transition to a new phase of life, scripture can provide solace and hope. Here are 12 Bible verses that speak to the hearts of those in nursing homes:
Illustration
| Scripture | Verse |
|---|---|
| Psalm 23:1 | The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. |
| Isaiah 41:10 | Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. |
| Philippians 4:13 | I can do all things through him who strengthens me. |
Free Bible Study For Nursing Homes
The Focused on the Family® Bible Study for Nursing Homes is a free, six-session Bible study program that will help you:
- Build friendships with other residents.
- Share God’s love with others.
- Gain confidence in sharing your own beliefs.
- Learn how to encourage and support others who are struggling spiritually.
FREE BIBLE STUDY FOR NURSING HOMES
The Bible is a powerful tool for life-changing transformation. It offers practical instructions on how to live a godly life, and gives us hope in the midst of difficult circumstances.
But it can be challenging to find time to read the Bible on a daily basis, especially if you have other responsibilities like working full-time, parenting and taking care of your health.
That’s why we created this FREE Bible study for nursing homes. It’s simple and straightforward, making it easy for anyone to participate. Simply print out the lessons below and give them to the residents in your nursing home community.
The Nursing Home Ministry of Central Baptist Church is planning a weekly Bible Study for nursing home residents. The study will begin on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. Those who have an interest in participating are invited to attend.
The Bible is a book that has the power to change lives. It is God’s word and contains everything we need to know about life, faith and eternity.
There are many different ways that you can use the Bible in your nursing home:
• Innovation – Use the Bible as a way to encourage innovation. Let your team know that they can come to you with ideas, questions and suggestions. Then, post this verse on their bulletin board: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
• Mentoring – One of the best ways for nurses to mentor other nurses is through bible study groups. These groups can help older nurses stay current on information related to their field, while also helping them develop relationships with other nurses who are younger than them. Encourage these groups by posting this verse on your bulletin board: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24).
• Growth – One of the best ways for nurses to
The following are Bible studies that you can do with your residents. They are all free and available online.
Bible Study for Nursing Homes – This is a great study that includes a lot of activities to do with your residents, as well as some videos. It is aimed at children, but could also be used with adults.
Bible Study for Nursing Homes – This one is different because it uses a curriculum called “The Story”. It’s based on the idea that the Bible is like a story book – full of characters, plots, and themes – not just facts about God. This one looks like it might be more suited for older residents who still have their faculties intact.
The nursing home ministry devotionals listed below are downloadable for free in .pdf format. They are for you to use as you see fit in ministry to care center residents. You may adjust them in your presentation to meet your specific needs and to accommodate the circumstances of your audience. If you copy them to give to someone else for use in long-term care ministry, please leave them unaltered in their original form. Some of these Christian devotionals are more like sermons and some are more like a Bible study. Some would need you to flesh them out and others can stand alone as they are. Use your discretion in their use. Understandably, you may find some that you feel are not appropriate for your group. Please approach their use prayerfully.
You will notice that these devotionals often address the unique settings of long-term care but do not hedge on the responsibilities of God’s children for Christian maturity and ministry. As has been already stated – use them at your own discretion and with prayer.
The hymns referred to with page numbers in these devotionals are taken from our hymn booklet: “Favorite Hymns of Grace”
Bible Study For Seniors With Dementia
Caregiving is a spiritual calling. It can be one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences you will ever have. Let us help you find comfort, strength, and encouragement in these Bible studies for caregivers of the elderly.
The Bible is full of practical advice for those who care for others. But who has time to read through all 66 books? That’s why we’ve compiled some of our best Bible studies on caring for others into one convenient location: Spiritual Eldercare Bible Studies!
We have four different topics available:
Caring for Your Loved One with Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia
Helping Your Loved One Cope with Pain or Illness
Supporting Your Loved One Who Is Depressed or Suicidal
The Spiritual Eldercare Bible Study is an 8-week study that provides you with biblical insight on how to care for your loved ones who are aging.
The study includes a Leader Guide, Participant Book and DVD (which is also available as an MP3 download). The Leader Guide provides all the information needed to lead the group and contains teaching notes, discussion guides, and answers to discussion questions. The Participant Book helps participants gain a better understanding of the lesson content.
Each session begins with a video segment from Pastor Dave that helps you prepare for the week’s lesson. The video can be viewed online or downloaded and watched offline. Next, there is a brief devotional section that includes scripture reading and prayer points. Then, there is an interactive discussion guide which includes thought provoking questions that will help you dig deeper into what was taught in each session.
This study helps participants:
- Gain insight into spiritual caregiving
- Find hope during times of grief and loss
- Understand what it means to be a spiritual caregiver
- Spiritual Eldercare Bible Studies
The Spiritual Eldercare Bible Studies are a series of six Bible studies that are designed to help guide caregivers through the process of caring for a loved one with memory loss, including dementia. The goal of these studies is to help you understand that there is hope and healing after the diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. You will learn about your role as a caregiver, how to communicate with your loved one, and how to use scripture as a guide for caregiving. These studies have been used by thousands of families worldwide and have been translated into several languages. They were created by two sisters who lost their father to Alzheimer’s disease at age 70.
Spiritual Eldercare Bible Studies
The most important thing we can do for our elderly loved ones is to help them maintain their spiritual health. As we teach them about God, we strengthen their faith and hope for the future. Here are some fun Bible studies to use with your elderly loved ones.
Spiritual Eldercare Bible Studies: What Will Happen When I Die?
When our loved ones pass away, they are able to go be with Jesus in heaven. But what happens when they die? How can we explain death to an elderly person? These Bible studies will help you explain death and how it fits into God’s plan for us all.
Spiritual Eldercare Bible Studies: Why Does God Allow Suffering?
Why does God allow suffering? It seems like a question that would be easy to answer…but it’s not! We often don’t understand why bad things happen to good people, but these Bible studies will help you explain why God allows suffering in our lives so that we may grow closer to Him in this life and the next.
Spiritual Eldercare Bible Studies: How Can I Find My Purpose In Life?
One of the most important things you can do for your elderly loved one
Aging in the Grace of God
How to embrace the last third of life as time to grow near to God and fulfill his purposes
Many adults feel left behind or out of control in their later years, exhausted from years of holding tightly to deep wounds and fast-paced living. In addition, these adults still face new challenges like health problems, changing family situations, or death of peers and loved ones. Seniors confront mortality in a way that younger generations need not. Is aging just a bunch of bad news? Absolutely not!
This ten-session Bible study course will encourage you to share your unique story and answered prayers with others. It will also show you how to use this time to grow closer to God by practicing deepening quiet and contemplation, readying yourself for the new and unexpected vision he may impart. It reminds you that keeping eternity in view helps us to accept tough transitions with serenity. Remember, this is not a time to merely exist, but a time to grow and bloom, aging in grace. God is with you every step of the way.
Session One
Help, I’m Growing Old
This is the beginning of a new adventure.
Psalm 71; Romans 8:28–29, 35–39
Session Two
In the Potter’s Hands
God uses people and experiences to shape us.
Genesis 37:3–4; 1 Samuel 1:21–28; 2:12–17; Psalm 139:13–16
Session Three
Called by God
Create a mission statement for the latter third of life.
Exodus 4:1–17
Session Four
Becoming Vulnerable
Aging brings with it many changes that require emotional and mental adaptation—but our loving God is in control.
Esther 2:1–9; 4; Ruth 1:1–17
Session Five
Lessons from the Wilderness
We need to welcome change as from God’s hand and by his grace.
Exodus 16; 18; Numbers 13:1–2, 26–33; 14:20–24
Session Six
Like the Grass that Withers
How can we live fearless lives that are committed to the gospel right up until the end?
Psalm 103; 1 Corinthians 15
Session Seven
Heaven is God’s Dwelling Place
“I am going there to prepare a place for you … ” (John 14:2–3)
Isaiah 65:17–25; John 14:1–7; 2 Peter 1:3–11; Revelation 21–22:
Session Eight
Forgive and Reconcile
“Forgive one another as I have forgiven you.”
2 Samuel 13:1–22, 36–39; 14:13–14; Luke 15:11–32; John 21:1–17
Session Nine
Tell the Story
Moses commanded Israel to make sure that their children knew the story of their journey of faith.
Deuteronomy 6:4–25; Titus 2:1–8
Session Ten
Nearer My God to Thee
The third stage of adulthood loosens our grip on earthly attachments, moving us into a deeper friendship with God.
1 Kings 19:11–18; Psalm 4; 27; 92; Matthew 6:1–21; Luke 10:38–42
Free Bible Studies For Senior Adults
My brother Ron, age 80 as I write, is still active in the ministry after over 53 years. In addition to preaching at a church near his home, he holds services at a nursing home. Ron says, “For the past 23 years, I’ve done a monthly service at a local nursing home. I enter, knowing that this may be the last message they will hear and I act accordingly. They love to hear me sing Fa Sol La and I accommodate them. No messages on tithing or knocking on doors but a message from the Word that will help them cross the bar a little easier.” (Note: Fa Sol La is also known as Sacred Harp Singing.)
My friend Charlotte Arthur flies under the radar in her nursing home ministry. Few people know of her ministry to these invalids. Charlotte visits and ministers and devotes herself to comforting these who are in the declining years of life. As her former pastor, I accompanied her on one occasion to visit an elderly friend who had served our church for decades. Charlotte and a friend or two had pulled the strings to get Cleve Davenport into that nursing home where he was being cared for night and day. I asked her how she got started in this work.
“When I was six years old,” she said, “my mother took me with her to visit people in nursing homes. So, I’ve done it all my life.” She paused and said, “I love it.”
Here are five statements on nursing home ministry to encourage you.
1. Try it; you might decide it’s what’s been missing in your life.
So many of us in the Lord’s work get used to crowds and orderly arrangements, and can get spoiled very quickly. But when you drop in on the nursing home (I’m using the term loosely to refer to convalesce centers, assisted living residences, etc.), you have to ask for permission to hold a service, then go around and encourage people to come. In my experience, you may end up with a dozen elderly people sitting around in what passes for their living room or activity center.
The hymns you lead them in had better be familiar or you’ll be singing solos. Forget about passing out hymnals and telling them to turn to page 272. Just sing it and most will join in to some degree.
Most of us find we do better when we take along a half dozen friends from church to help out. They help to round up the participants and chat with everyone–an integral part of the service, by the way–and then, you are sure of having several to help carry the tune of the hymns.
2. You have to love it to do it well, in my judgment.
Some people simply cannot take the reminders of their own mortality that assault them when they enter a nursing or convalescent home. I suppose the thoughts of themselves being in that situation sometime in the future strikes terror into their hearts, and they would just as soon be spared the pain.
Who doesn’t know that feeling?
I predict that if you do this enough, you soon get beyond all the surface panic and learn to love those seniors and to learn a big thing about them: Their non-functioning bodies often house some mighty sharp minds and personalities. Soon, you find yourself looking forward to the worship times at the nursing home.
3. There are hundreds of ways to do nursing home ministry.
But I don’t know what they are. Some people do nothing but read to the patients. Others comb their hair, give the men haircuts and the women perms. Others hold religious services. My young friend Stephanie Screen, a classically trained musician, takes her violin into nursing homes and hospitals and plays for the patients.
Some people write letters for the patients. Others counsel them, some pray for them and with them, and still others have learned the ministry of presence (that is, just being there and helping to fill their empty hours).
4. I tell the residents of these homes to keep a Bible by their bedside.
Then, when someone visits them, ask them, “Would you do something for me?” Ask them to find one of their favorite scriptures and read it to you.
That will bless you, I tell them, and it could be life-changing for your visitor.
You never know.
Speaking of Bibles, what passage should you use when speaking to them? Many residents will tell you they are plenty tired of hearing nothing but the 23rd Psalm and messages on love. The last time I spoke, I quoted Psalm 23, Psalm 1, and Psalm 103, and made some remarks on the last psalm. Then, I led in prayer and thanked them, and my co-workers passed out refreshments.
5. The Lord Jesus talked about you in Luke 14.
“When you give a party (or banquet or dinner), do not invite those who can repay the favor. Instead, invite the poor and the blind, the lame and the maimed, the handicapped–those who cannot repay you–and you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
That last promise is Luke 14:14. Easy to remember, and infinitely worth remembering.
You and I don’t do a lot of partying or banquet-giving, as He refers to it in Luke 14. But it is possible for us to do things for the invalids that they will not be able to repay. And nursing home ministry qualifies if anything does.
I believe the Lord Jesus takes it personally when His children go into nursing homes where often they know no one and minister to the patients, loving them, and leading them in worship and instruction in righteousness.
You will be rewarded, He promised, at the resurrection of the righteous.
Can you wait that long? believe that strong? sing that song?