Ten Questions NOT to Ask When Visiting a Group Member in the Hospital

Imagine you have just received a text letting you know one of your Bible study group members is hospitalized. Before you get in the car and head to the hospital, there are some simple questions you need to get out of your head so that you don’t ask them once you are in the hospital room. Here’s a list of 10 of those questions:

10. I wonder if the corner of their bed is more comfortable than the padded chair?

9. I wonder if I should tell my husband to come back and get me after he finishes his round of golf?

8. I wonder if they could show me their scar?  

7. I wonder if I could show them my scar?

6. I wonder if I should tell them about that distant cousin who knew this guy who had a neighbor that died from the same illness?

5. I wonder what would happen if I adjusted that knob on the box that keeps beeping?

4. I wonder if they would mind me finishing off my chili cheeseburger with extra cheese and onions?

3. I wonder if this will be the perfect time to guilt them into coming back to our Bible study group?

2. I wonder if they mind me changing the channel to watch the wild animals shows?

1. I wonder if they will notice it I don’t come by?

There are just some things you should not do when making a visit to a person in a hospital! The biggest thing we should always avoid is ignoring them (see question 1). They need to know we care, and nothing communicates that like a quick personal visit to simply pray with them and their loved ones. But when you go, it is best to heed the advice given as you leave the station on a roller coaster: “Keep your head and arms inside the vehicle at all times.”

What other questions would you add to this list?

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G. Dwayne McCrary is the team leader for Adult and Young Adult group resources at LifeWay, leads two weekly Bible study groups (one for empty-nesters and one for 4-year olds), serves as an adjunct professor at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and carries 20-plus years of church staff experience. He is married to Lisa (both native Texans), and they have two children and one grandson. Find him on Twitter: @gdwayne.