BIBLICAL COUNSELING
Tok Corpus
October 2008
IS COUNSELING BIBLICAL?
An aging Paul to a young, shy, and
reluctant Timothy.
Barnabas to his inconsistent relative named
John Mark.
Mordacai to his young cousin Hadassah,
aka Esther Queen of Persia and Media.
Naomi to her widowed in-law Ruth.
Moses to the young Joshua.
IS COUNSELING BIBLICAL?
None of them were trained in
psychotherapy nor possessed a degree in
counseling.
They were not trained theologians, but they
were versed in Scripture and led by God in
helping the flock to overcome difficulties
and fulfill God’s loving purpose for them.
Ministry servant-leaders are in similar
positions today.
IS COUNSELING BIBLICAL?
A leader consoles a sister who did not get
asked to go dating.
A leader discovers a teen disturbed and
distracted by the parents marital problems.
A leader prays silently beside the bed of a
friend who just attempted suicide.
A leader comforts a spouse who was
physically abused by the husband.
A leader chats with a disciple about her
ministry SHAPE.
IS COUNSELING BIBLICAL?
This is what you are signing up for – and
even beyond….
Are you ready? (Motivation to pursue study)
Amidst all the apprehension of ability and
skill always remember that as disciples we
are incidentally gifted….
Acts 2:38-39, 1John 2:20 our giftedness
John 14:16,26, 15:26 and John 16:5-15
Counselor combines the ideas of comfort
and counsel. As He does so we do…
CHARACTERISTICS OF
BIBLICAL COUNSELING
Several assumptions underlie Christian
counselling…
But the heart and soul of these
assumptions are based on the principles
and teachings of Scripture – God’s
authoritative, infalliable Word, which is the
ultimate source of healthy living.
There are 7 characteristics we must first
take and then we go to the practicals..
I. LOVE AND TRUTH
LOVE (1JOHN 14:6) AND TRUTH (JOHN 14:6)
God’s love motivates Him to reveal the truth to us.
The major thesis of biblical counselling is that
truth makes people free when they believe and
obey it. John 8:31-32
The task of counselling is to replace misbeliefs
with truths.
II. Right Size God
Because of the Fall of Man, the malady of the
soul – depression, guilt, shame, anger,
addictions, etc., - are related to the
underdevloped image of God within the soul.
The soul is having difficulty recognizing God.
“Emotional wholeness lies in the working out of
the image of God within us”. – Dr. Henry Cloud
Though not all crises or problems are spiritual in
their cause or in their correction, they are
definitely connected in some form, shape, or
influence to their spiritual convictions and spiritual
wellness.
III. Right Relationship With God
A crucial and integrating factor in achieving
healing and wholeness is a right standing and
relationship with the living Christ.
“Relationship with Christ provides resources that
are utterly indespensible in substantially resolving
every nonorganically caused psychological
issues”. - Larry Crabb
Wholeness cannot be achieved apart from Jesus
Christ.
IV. Right Relationship With Others
Healthy relationships are the linchpins of mental,
emotional, and spiritual health.
Many of the crises faced by the disciples are
inextricably related to relationships – with parents,
siblings, children, relatives, friends, disciplers,
disciples, leaders, and even with God.
Loneliness, low self-esteem, peer pressure,
rebellion, homosexuality, under acheivement, and
other issues have their basis in unhealthy or
broken relationships.
Always, always look into relationships…
V. Healing is Possible
Healing of the mind, emotions, and the spirit is
possible.
It will require a lot of work from the helper and the
helpee – even in the helpee’s circle of family and
friends.
But more vital is the work of God through the HS.
It may take a long time to do it, but God is willing
and able.
Be aware that the possibility is not self generated
but inspired and spiritually supplied.
VI. Goal is to be like Christ
The goal of biblical counselling is not happiness,
but Christlikeness.
“Many of us place top priority, not on becoming
Christlike in the middle of the problems, but on
finding happiness”. – Larry Crabb
The paradoxical truth is this: One will never be
happy if your primary concern is merely to be
happy.
Our overriding goal as disciples must be in every
circumstance – the good and the bad- to respond
biblically.
VI. Goal is to be like Christ
And biblical response is to put the Lord first and
to seek to behave the way He desires me to.
“The wonderful truth is this …. If we obediently
abide in the truth in order to become more like
Christ and thus make Him known, the by-product
will by our eventual happiness – here and
beyond..”
The goal is not happiness but discipleship.
VII. Submission to the Will and
Word of God
Healing and wholeness will not come without
sound biblical teaching and obedience to the
Word and will of God. (AMS CR)
We must always be ready to sound the alarm on
those who try to substitue psychological
techniques in place of bibilical teaching and
understanding.
As leaders, “we must do soul work on the realm
of the deep things of the Bible and the Spirit and
not be wading in the shallow waters of behavioral
modification” – J. MacArthur.
VII. Submission to the Will
and Word of God
As disciples we have the tools for spiritual
transformation.
“Not to use spiritual tools for spiritual issues is like
a surgeon wreaking havoc with a butter knife
instead of using a scalpel.” – J. MacArthur
“the most skilled counsellor is the one who most
carefully, prayerfully, and faithfully applies the
divine spiritual resources to the process of
sanctification, shaping another in the image of
Christ Jesus.”
VII. Submission to the Will
and Word of God
The leader who seeks to help people in crisis
must make every effort to develop sound biblical
tenets and techniques for such a ministry of
comfort and communication.
More important than techniques, however, will be
a thorough and constant reliance upon the Holy
Spirit of God.
“Methodology and technique, skill and the
excersise of gifts are all constant work of the Spirit.
What makes the difference is one’s attitude and
inner motivation: does he do what he does in
reliance upon his own efforts, in dependence upon
methods and techniques, or does he acknowledge
his own inability and ask the Spirit to use his gifts
and methods? Gifts, methodology and technique,
of course, maybe abused; they maybe set over
against the Spirit and maybe used to replace His
work. But they may also be used in complete
subjection to Him and to the glory of God and the
benefit of his children.” – Jay Adams
Counseling Practicals
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Pray before the appointment, at the start, in the
middle, and the end. And pray some more later.
 Here is a tool to guide you to determine the root
problem and address it effectively using the
acrostic of L.E.A.D.E.R
L - LISTEN
E - EMPATHIZE
A - AFFIRM
D - DIRECT
E - ENLIST
R - REFER
Counseling Practicals
L
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- LISTEN: Encourage them to talk freely.
What is bothering you?
How long has this been bothering you?
When did it start?
When do you feel most/least disturbed?
Are there times when these feelings go away?
Describe them.
What are some ways you try to cope with it?
How do you think you can or want to respond next
time?
Stay away from Qs using “why”. Stick with “What”,
“When” and “How”.
Counseling Practicals
E
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- EMPATHIZE: As the helpee shares, you must be
able to communicate your empathy and interest.
Leaning slightly forward in your chair.
Nodding to indicate emotional companionship.
Expressing desire to go deeper and understand.
Reflecting key statements (“you feel..”, “your
saying”.., “you responded”..etc.)
Waiting patiently through pregnant silence.
Allow tears to flow. Never stop tearful catharsis.
Be careful “NOT” to say “I know how you feel”, or
relate your similar past.
Just assure that He is not alone with his feelings.
Counseling Practicals
A
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- AFFIRM: Be alert and generous to offer
“sincere/truthful” affirmation at every opportunity.
Hurt people must be helped to see and
acknowledge their strength, abilities, spiritual gifts,
as well as their weaknesses.
Helpee must be reminded that God values and
love them.
No sin is bigger than God. Any sin can be forgiven
Everyone has abilities and gifts which can be
developed.
People have weaknesses which can be lived with
and for which we can compensate.
Counseling Practicals
D - DIRECT: Gently but firmly guide the helpee to
talk through the causes and effects of the issue,
and seek opportunity to sensitively steer him to
appreciate his part and accept responsibility
 Ultimately, if issues have spiritual dimensions, then
we are responsible to recover from our issues.
 If we do nothing, then nothing will happen.
 If we blame others entirely – we become bitter.
 If we blame ourselves entirely, we fall into shame.
 Point him back to fellowship with Christ & church.
 Focus him on prayer and worship.
 Pray harder…
Counseling Practicals
E
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- ENLIST: Once the issue is revealed, enlist the
helpee’s participation in developing a plan of
action.
Guide him to establish specific goals.
Action plan should be small and manageable baby
steps.
Uncomplicated, measurable, reasonable and
workable.
Also involve the concentric circle of influence in
His life. Spouse, family, siblings, children, BTs,
Disciplers, disciples, etc.
But must always have the last say on whom He
wants to seek help from.
Counseling Practicals
R - REFER: If the issue persists or worsens,
particularly if his behaviour becomes erratic, self
defeating and unmanageable refer him as soon as
possible to professional biblical counseling.
 Talk to your Region leader for referal advice.
 You can call me for referal inputs 09178260746
 Send them over to AMS Celebrate Recovery.
 Involve the helpee in your decision to refer.
 Show continuing care by being ready to support
them during and after the referal procedure.
 Caution on refering to non-disciple counselors.
Close Out
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Counseling is biblical. As He does so we do…
Characteristics of Biblical Counseling
Love and Truth
Right Size God
Right Relationship with God
Right Relationship with Others
Healing is Possible
Goal is to be Christlike
Submit to the Will and Word of God
Close Out
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Counseling is biblical. As He does so we do…
Seven Characteristics of Biblical Counseling
L.E.A.D.E.R. Counseling Practicals
LISTEN
EMPATHIZE
AFFIRM
DIRECT
ENLIST
REFER
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Resources: Handbook on Counseling Youth by Josh McDowell’s
All glory to God……