Visiting the seriously III and the dying: A Manual

Abstract

The diagnosis of a serious illness initially sits like a deep shock. The whole life is turned upside down from one moment to the next. A stable social network is crucial for a successful survival with the limitations and new challenges. Unfortunately, however, in the immediate environment of the sick person, the involvement often has a paralyzing effect. There are fears of doing something wrong, of not knowing which words are appropriate or of being confronted with unavoidable questions. Those who have never dealt with illness and death themselves before are suddenly confronted with their own finiteness. Out of concern to make any mistakes or to appear obtrusive, the environment withdraws rather. Through my experience I would like to encourage fellow Christians to get involved in such difficult situations. I am convinced that visiting and accompanying seriously ill and dying people is a Christian-Biblical mission. Since the subject of death and dying has long been taboo, most people have great fear of contact and little experience. With a clear and comprehensible manual, I would like to facilitate access, dismantle barriers and open doors. The work consists of two large blocks in which the contact with seriously ill and dying people is illuminated from different perspectives. For the character of a manual, the first main part of the work deals with practical handouts. The second and theoretical part of the work deals with the fundamental question of the Christian mission to the sick and dying. How did Jesus deal with the sick in his time? How are age, dying and farewell addressed? What do the wisdom literature and especially the psalms say about the expectations and desires of the suffering? The biblical findings are combined with a brief examination of the history of the church. The review of the development of diakonia shows how much the Christian congregation has taken up this task in its history.

The diagnosis of a serious illness initially sits like a deep shock. The whole life is turned upside down from one moment to the next. A stable social network is crucial for a successful survival with the limitations and new challenges. Unfortunately, however, in the immediate environment of the sick person, the involvement often has a paralyzing effect. There are fears of doing something wrong, of not knowing which words are appropriate or of being confronted with unavoidable questions. Those who have never dealt with illness and death themselves before are suddenly confronted with their own finiteness. Out of concern to make any mistakes or to appear obtrusive, the environment withdraws rather. Through my experience I would like to encourage fellow Christians to get involved in such difficult situations. I am convinced that visiting and accompanying seriously ill and dying people is a Christian-Biblical mission. Since the subject of death and dying has long been taboo, most people have great fear of contact and little experience. With a clear and comprehensible manual, I would like to facilitate access, dismantle barriers and open doors. The work consists of two large blocks in which the contact with seriously ill and dying people is illuminated from different perspectives. For the character of a manual, the first main part of the work deals with practical handouts. The second and theoretical part of the work deals with the fundamental question of the Christian mission to the sick and dying. How did Jesus deal with the sick in his time? How are age, dying and farewell addressed? What do the wisdom literature and especially the psalms say about the expectations and desires of the suffering? The biblical findings are combined with a brief examination of the history of the church. The review of the development of diakonia shows how much the Christian congregation has taken up this task in its history.