‘Home Visitation’ cover photo by Impact Shutter-Bugs Dimapur.
Many of us can recall a moment when a Minister visited us at a crucial point in our lives. Perhaps we were in the hospital, or perhaps we had just lost a loved one, but in a moment of need, a pastor or an evangelist was there to comfort us and pray with us. Home visitation is not just a phenomenon of the past but we visit homes even today. People need pastoral contact. John Naisbitt in his book “Megatrends” says that in a high-tech society people crave high touch.
Home visitations has a, Biblical rational. In the Bible, we find God visiting with people both before and after the Fall. In fact, after Adam and Eve fell it was God who took the initiative in seeking them (Genesis 3: 8, 9). The Bible provides unambiguous proof that our God is not aloof, but approachable, and that He visits with His people in their circumstances, surroundings, and situations (Gen 18: 1-16).
Our Lord Jesus often visited people in their homes, where he listened to them, ate with them and generally met their needs (Mark 1: 29-34. 5: 35-43). Jesus went from house to house, healing the sick, comforting mourners and praying for them. The Apostle Paul had also taught people publicly and from house to house (Acts 20: 18-21).
How should family visitation be conducted? Certainly, the Word of God must be the starting point and ought to be explained and applied from house to house. Family visitation is found beneficial when it begins with a family visitation guide. But I've also found that many ministers, counselors and evangelistic committee members visit homes without a proper guide. The purpose of family visitation is to see that God's word is alive and functioning in the hearts and lives of the members of the church. With that insight in my mind, I have prepared some short lessons to help you in your family visitations. I have taken out most of the passages from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Some particular chapters have been used several times. I have simply decided to concentrate on Isaiah, who was one of the greatest prophets, surely the greatest of all Messianic Prophets. Anytime I face any problem I open and read the writings of Isaiah and I am comforted.
I believe you’ll receive new inspirations as you read these short lessons. Be spiritually prepared. Without communion with God, visitations can become social events only. Paul says, “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (I Corinthians 15: 58). As you visit various types of homes, I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you and use you mightily to touch many souls.
