Introduction to Christian Counseling

In this day and age, the word counseling is thrown about like a baseball on a summer’s day. It is used frequently in many different institutions such as, schools, health care facilities, and even churches. All be it there is nothing wrong with counseling in and of its self. It is actually a much-needed resource to provoke change in a struggling individuals’ life. The problem today is that our health care system and higher education systems believe that they are the only ones qualified to apply such counseling to the ones in need.

Now this is not a one size fits all indictment on all people of higher education or health care affiliates, but in my research, it is shown to be the opinion of the majority that fall into these categories. Even pastors today have bought into this lie and have pushed their flock in the direction of “professionals”.

Now let me clarify my feelings about this subject of counseling and why I have said the things previously mentioned. I believe without a doubt that there is a time and a place for clinical counseling and a need for highly educated professional individuals to carry that counseling out for their patients. I am in no way against professional counselors. With that being said I do not believe that is where someone should start their journey towards change, and healing nor do I believe one has to be a PhD. to help these hurting people. The purpose of the information you are about to read is to bring back to light the art of Christian Counseling and show exactly what it is and why it is so desperately needed today. I will not just define Christian Counseling but also intend to show how one should approach and counsel others in a Christian setting.

The Problem

It is the beginning of another year, the clock struck twelve, the ball dropped yet again and ushered in the year 2019. Now with a new year there is so much excitement, lots of resolutions, and newness in store, a starting over so to speak. Of course, a new year doesn’t mean that all the problems of the previous years are magically washed away or simply disappear.

One of those problems that we carry over is the issue of the lack of Christian Counseling. The need and desire for pastoral, Christian, Biblical counseling in the local church body and beyond is growing at an exponential rate. The issue is that the need is growing, but the men and women of God are not there to meet this rapidly growing need.

In addition to the lack of people to practice Christian Counseling there is a significant shortage of Scriptural based materials for them to use. Without materials for training pastors lack the basic tools for counseling. There has been a plethora of books written on the subject of Christian Counseling, but most are not practical, and some propose methods that are even unbiblical and sometimes dangerous for the counselee. The problems are real, a shortage of willing counselors and a shortage of material to train current pastors, counselors, and new counselors to meet the growing and real need of Biblical Christian Counseling.

The good news is that God has a method and it is based on the word of God. The biggest issue at hand though is that even the church and pastors today have bought into the notion of passing people off to professional counselors. Again, I believe there is a need for professional clinical counselors. I also believe that every problem starts with a problem in the heart and the God of the Bible is the ultimate heart changer so, the best place to start is with what God’s word says. The worlds methodology will always be skewed because it is from the world and not the word.

Varying Methodology

A person’s methodology, or the model they use for counseling will always come from his or her assumptions, they will base everything they say on what they believe to be true. The key word there is believe, just because they believe something does not make it true. The old saying comes to mind that states just because you believe you're a car does not mean if you sleep in a garage you will wake up a car, no matter how much you believe. If your belief is based on a lie, then your counsel will be built on lies and be ineffective.

On the other hand, if your belief is built on truth “The word of God” then your counsel has a firm foundation and is a great place to begin to build. This is reminiscent of what (Matthew 7:24-27 ESV) says, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” If we build our counsel on the rock instead of the shifting opinions of this world, it will always stand. Not only will it stand but it will do what God said it would do, which is to change lives. (Isaiah 55:11 ESV), says, “so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

The truth is the way we treat people and our general attitude towards the ones we are counseling develops from what we really believe. Methodology is definitely important, but belief dictates our actions. Adolph Hitler is a prime yet extreme example of this exact statement. He believed that Jews were and inferior race, so his belief prompted his atrocious actions and the genocide of millions of innocent people.

Belief is a powerful thing, I would go as far as saying it is the most powerful force there is in an individual’s life. Belief provokes actions some good and some bad, but always action. In counseling belief is the foundation, the ground floor, the place our thoughts and actions manifest from. If counseling is based on the beliefs of this world it is like the counselee is on a latter in quick sand. No matter what they believe, apart from God they will always be on the bottom rung no matter how hard they climb. The Bible must be the defining and final authority in how we live out our faith. No matter what method one uses for counseling they must be studied in the light and through the lenses of the Word of God.

There are three approaches of counseling commonly used today:

1. Expert Knowledge,
2. Common Knowledge,
3. Divine Knowledge.

Expert Knowledge. This approach boils down to what Plato believed which was that only the wisest among men should rule. Basically, in this approach the expert must do it for the person. Freud is one of the most prominent proponents for this approach. He believed only experts can solve these perplexing and complicated problems.

Then there is Common Knowledge. This is called Non-Directive Counseling. A man named Carl Rogers believed that there wasn't a need for an expert. He believed that everybody had enough knowledge and resources to take care of their own problems. Basically, if you can’t figure out your problems you are not living up to your potential.

Lastly there is Divine Knowledge. This is the best approach for Christian Counseling. Dr. Jay E. Adams says it like this “A believer must start with a Biblical Foundation and build from it a Christian methodology of counseling which rests upon and is consistent with the foundation.” Everything you need comes from the Scriptures.

People are not in need of an expert, or the ability to live up to their full potential. They are in need of a life changing encounter with the God of the Bible. This encounter illuminates the words on the pages of Scriptures and gives us Divine Knowledge. This is where our methodology should begin.

What is Christian Counseling

Christian Counseling is counseling that begins with the Scriptures. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV) says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God] may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (Romans 15:4 EV), 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:14 ESV), 14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.” (1 Corinthians 10:11 ESV), 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.” It is not about the external data. It is about the God given data brought to life in our hearts, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Christian counseling is not about psychology. You cannot use the teachings of this world as truth by sprinkling some scriptures on them. Instead of starting with psychology, we must start with the Scriptures. In order for us to start with scriptures we need to know the scriptures. The Bible teaches us how to live and not live. It shows us what acceptable behavior is and what it is not. It gives us step by step instructions on how to change personality and behaviors. It gives us advice on solving family, marital and personal conflicts. The Bible has something to say about every area of our lives. It is certainly able to speak to the everyday problems that confront each of us, such as relationship issues, financial strains, our responses to physical health or illness, parenting questions, and loneliness. But it also has something to say about modern problems such as depression, anxiety, mania, schizophrenia and attention deficit disorder, just to name a few.

Of course, the Bible doesn’t tell us word for word the answer to each individual problem. It doesn’t offer techniques and plans for life change that look like they came out of a how to fix my problems for dummies book. The good news is through prayer and seeking the Lord. Through meditating on Scriptures and a willingness to receive wise counsel and guidance from each other. We can see what the Bible says about creation, the fall, and redemption and see how it gives us specific, effective insight into all the issues of this life. So Christian Counseling is counseling based on what God says, not the world, experts or what your own potential says.

Christian Counseling is centered around Jesus Christ. He is the King and the Cornerstone. This means he knows more about the human mind and personality and behavior than any philosopher, scholar, or doctor. Christ is the center, He created us therefore who would better know the creation than the creator.

The Starting Point of Biblical Counseling

I believe the process should begin like previously mentioned, in the Scriptures because they are our firm foundation. The pastor or counselor must make sure that what he says and how he counsels is either directly based on scripture or that it lines up with what the Scriptures say. Some foundations to make sure your counselee knows and understands are, the existence of God, and His Person, theological truths concerning man. That man was created by God. Man was created for Gods pleasure, Man was created in a state of innocence, in Gods image, Man became depraved. In a nut shell the starting point is to make sure the counselee has a firm understanding of the Gospel.

From there the counselor can move forward to specific issues all the while pulling his or her answers from what God says on the pages of Scripture. The list of issues a counselee is experiencing could be endless so for brevity we will not make comprehensive list. The greatest peace a counselor can possess is that all the answers are in the book.

How One Should Approach and Counsel Others in a Christian Setting

Some things to reflect on as we approach and counsel others. First thing we need to remember is to approach counseling like the rest of our lives humbly, prayerfully, and with love. As believers we are commanded to restore one another (Galatians 6:1 ESV), says, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” That is what counseling is, restoring one another. The original Greek word was used by fisherman when they referred to mending of their fishing nets. They called their work restoration. The main goal of all restoration is to bring Glory to God. Our approach in Christian Counseling is about the restoration of hearts, which brings glory to our heavenly father.

We should approach people who need counseling with the goal of instilling hope. Meaning we speak a kind word, by our testimony, and share with them the hope that God can change them. We need to be prepared to hear stories of tragedy, feelings of worthlessness, injustice. We must give authoritative instruction, again from the word of God. We need to be good listeners, listening more than we speak. The old adage of having two ears and one mouth speaks volumes. We need to rely on the power of God. We must give advice carefully, prayerfully, and not hastily. Take the time to really be there for your counselee, do not be in a hurry it is not an appointment it is a child of God and for His glory.

A key element or goal a counselor should remember is that they can lead their counselee to a personal relationship with the God of the universe. Again, there are so many approaches a counselor could take. To sum it all up, approach any counseling situation with love as a listener ready to direct whatever issue to the word of God. The word of God is alive and breathing and ready to separate the lies from the truth.

Conclusion

As pastors it could be a very easy thing to pass someone along to a “professional” but that is not always what is best. God has placed us in our position with our flock for a specific reason, not by accident. We are there to lead the way. It is the shepherd, and not the psychiatrist, that God has assigned the job to. This job of sharpening, and leading is, of course, rooted in love. Biblical counselors are grounded in the love of Jesus Christ, they are growing in love for Jesus, and they enjoy loving others in the name of Jesus. “And this is His command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us” (1 John 3:23 ESV).

Wherever counseling takes place, in an office, a restaurant, or a home, or a church, it bears this recognizable mark. All things are spoken and done in love. Biblical counseling sounds to me like it is being done in a family not the sterile environment of a doctor’s office. Such family like, loving relationships, when put with the content of Scripture, should make it easily distinguished from what the world calls counseling. It is my hope and fervent prayer through the reading of this document that God would ignite a new passion inside of His people. To bring back His design and begin to counsel one another in love from the Scriptures. (Proverbs 27:17 ESV), says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”

As pastors it what we are called to do and where God guides, He provides. He has given us the only textbook that we will ever need in His Holy Word. Richard Gantz says it like this, “Biblical Counseling is teaching people to live the Christian life.” Sounds like a pastor’s job description, but it is not just our duty it is our privilege. Lord raise up an army who stands on Your Word. Send Your counselors to the hurting and broken hearted and begin with me.

References

1. Dr. Edward Watke Jr. (1992) Biblical Counseling Seminar Materials, Revival in the Home Ministries
2. Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

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