HEARING
Two care home situations in Solihull have folk who go in to simply read the Bible to residents. Discussion is not a planned part of this. Clearly, this is of value to those who have lived within the Christian tradition, for whom Biblical scripture has a place in their life, but what of those for whom dementia prevents an understanding of the words?
It may be that familiar verses will spark remembrance of particular events and there are some where the text says it all (Psalm 139?) but there is a need to move beyond our usual engagement with words, which tend to demand something of intellect.
Jennifer Bute has the custom of listening to daily scripture passages from an audio Bible. This gives the advantage of not losing her place amongst lots of words. Jennifer is also open to the fact that God continues to speak to her through his Word even when her mind cannot cope and she simply allows the spoken words to wash over her.
This opens us to the fact that we are in the realms of the Spirit of God. In every aspect of our encounter with God, whether we are able to engage intellect or not, we need to be open to God at work through his Spirit.
It may be that familiar verses will spark remembrance of particular events and there are some where the text says it all (Psalm 139?) but there is a need to move beyond our usual engagement with words, which tend to demand something of intellect.
Jennifer Bute has the custom of listening to daily scripture passages from an audio Bible. This gives the advantage of not losing her place amongst lots of words. Jennifer is also open to the fact that God continues to speak to her through his Word even when her mind cannot cope and she simply allows the spoken words to wash over her.
This opens us to the fact that we are in the realms of the Spirit of God. In every aspect of our encounter with God, whether we are able to engage intellect or not, we need to be open to God at work through his Spirit.