5 Easy Ways the Church Can Better Connect with Homebound Members
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“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
When we are filled up with the joy of knowing God through a relationship with Him, we can’t help but spread it to others around us. It is easy to acknowledge the love of Christ to those sitting around us in the church pews or in our Sunday school classes, but what about those who, due to health or mobility issues, are unable to attend church? Will they be able to feel the love of Christ from their church if they are only able to watch others during a virtual service?
As the verse above states, God comforts us in our troubles so that we can provide the same comfort and hope to others, directing them to God’s love, grace, and mercy. That means those who are homebound and aren’t able to physically attend church on a regular basis need the same reminders of God’s love that we get in the pews.
Following are five distinct ways that we as the church can connect with the homebound to remind them of God’s love for them, Christ’s death for them, and the Holy Spirit that is with them.
Serving Others in the Bible
There are several examples in the Bible of people serving one another, from Boaz helping Ruth get needed grain for food, to the widow helping feed the prophet Elijah from her poverty and being blessed through this act of service.
One example many find near and dear to their hearts is the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), where Jesus shares about how a Jewish man was robbed and beaten – left to die – until a good Samaritan came upon him and tended to his injuries before taking him to an inn to recover. This compassionate gesture was after the man was purposely ignored by a priest and a Levite who both walked by without a glance.
What Jesus is showing here is that at any time, God will bring the chance for you to help someone who is in need, someone who may not be able to repay you for your help but will appreciate your compassion and time. In light of this parable, considering and caring for the needs of homebound members (and maybe even those who are not affiliated with the church yet) should be something we actively look for as we go about our purpose in life.
1. Deliver Homecooked or Takeout Meals
Sometimes, those that are homebound may find it challenging to have regularly cooked meals at home, even if they have family and friends nearby to help out. One way the church can help is by bringing prepared meals to their door. The opportunity to not only bring a delicious meal to a homebound person, but spend a few moments talking and praying with them, can make a difference for both you and the person you are helping!
2. Bring Communion to a Person’s Home
One aspect of church that people can’t enjoy if they are homebound, because of illness, injury, or age-related mobility issues, is taking part in communion. Remembering what Jesus did on the cross for us by partaking of bread and wine or juice (for His body and blood) is a meaningful way that believers enjoy loving and treasuring their Savior. When you assist in bringing communion to a believer’s home, you can help them continue to strengthen their love of the Lord in the comforts of their home.
3. Encourage Their Involvement in a Church Charity or Event
Just because someone is homebound doesn’t mean they aren’t able to help out when the church is holding events or taking part in helping others. Whether it is making items for a church fundraiser or writing letters for missionaries overseas, there are countless ways someone can still lend a helping hand for church events and activities, even when homebound. The blessing that comes from it is that the homebound person can get the opportunity to help out and pray for those events or people and feel connected to their church even while they are away.
4. Hold Zoom Versions of Church Meetings, Bible Studies, and Support Groups
Since the pandemic, online services like Zoom have become a helpful method for people to see one another face-to-face if distance, sickness, or other reasons prevent them from meeting in person. Churches have utilized the internet to stream services on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights, but your church could also host virtual meetups for Bible studies, support groups, and regular meetings for those who are homebound. This chance to still be active in church, and still connected to the Word, will help those who are homebound remember they are still involved.
5. Help with Specialty Needs Such as Insurance, Cleaning, or Transportation
Some people who are homebound may have a caregiver who is helping them with their daily needs; for others, they might be trying to handle a lot of these issues alone. Yet whether they have a caregiver or not, additional help for transportation, contacting insurance companies, or even cleaning the inside or outside of their house would be appreciated. This will take a little more coordination by the church, such as establishing a group that will take turns handling some of the needs of their homebound members and are trustworthy volunteers to be in people’s homes.
So, if a person is knowledgeable about insurance matters and the homebound person is recovering from surgery, this could be a great way to assist the person and their family in handling sticky insurance matters. If the person was regularly working in their yard, but for the current time can’t do any work, the group could coordinate some able-bodied people to come over on a weekend to clean up the yard – with the person supervising of course. Even transportation needs would be greatly served through coordinated church efforts, so the homebound person knows they have someone to depend on for an appointment.
Shine Christ’s Light
These are only a few suggestions of ways your church can help those who are homebound. Most likely, the person will appreciate help with not only food and transportation needs, but also the fellowship of their church community. Being at home due to illness, injury, or age-related issues can encourage feelings of depression and despair, so embrace the opportunity to be a beacon of God’s light in their day and amidst their struggles.
“For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me…Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:35-40).
“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (Hebrews 6:10).
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