Weekend One Review

What is Biblical Counseling (5-11)

The Theological Pyramid (5)

What does “The Theological Pyramid” teach about counseling?

The foundation of our counsel must be Scripture (Text of Scripture)

We must properly understand the Scripture in order to offer good counsel (Exegesis)

Remembering the redemptive theme of the Bible is a crucial component to hope-filled counsel (Biblical Theology)

Understanding what the Bible teaches about particular topics will align our counsel with the truth (Systematic Theology)

Knowing how the word of God applies to the issues of life will enable us to give God-honoring counsel (Practical Theology)

The Definition of Biblical Counseling (5)

Biblical counseling is the personal discipleship ministry of God’s people to others under the oversight of God’s church, dependent upon the authority and sufficiency of God’s Word through the work of the Holy Spirit. Biblical counseling seeks to reorient disordered desires, affections, and behaviors toward a God-designed anthropology in an effort to restore true worship of God and right fellowship with others. This is accomplished by speaking the truth in love and applying Scripture tot he need of the moment by comforting the suffering and calling sinners to repentance thus working to make them mature as they abide in Jesus Christ.

What do the following words make clear about the distinctiveness of biblical counseling?

Discipleship

God’s church

God’s word

Holy Spirit: True biblical change occurs through the ministry of the Holy Spirit and cannot occur apart from His ministry.

The Goal of Biblical Counseling (6)

The goal of biblical counseling is the goal of the Christian life. Counseling has as its aim to help the struggling believer make meaningful and lasting progress in their pursuit of holiness. This can be divided into six categories:

aiding the Christian in his battle against sin (6)

aiding the Christian in his perseverance through trials (6)

aiding the Christian in his pursuit of peaceful relationships (6)

aiding the Christian in his growth in the grace and knowledge of Christ (6)

aiding the Christian in his imitation of Christ and God (7)

aiding the Christian in his effort to glorify God (7)

How might we sum up the goal of biblical counseling? Christ-likeness

a key question that I often raise with those I counsel and seems to capture the substance of this goal is: how can God be honored in this?

Biblical Counseling and Unbelievers (7)

It is possible to give some sound advice to unbelievers, but they must understand that stitching a deep cut in the arm is useless when they need an immediate heart-transplant. (8)

What does this statement presuppose about unbelievers and their problems?

The Call of All Christians to Counsel (8)

Those called to help hurting people are not limited to pastors or professional counselors. On what basis are Christians to presume to be in a position to help their hurting brothers and sisters?

Every believer has (9):

The Holy Spirit

The Word of God

Spiritual Gifts

I has written in the margin that two gifts that are particularly useful for counseling are mercy and teaching.

Conclusion (10)

Everyone has the responsibility to engage in the ministry of biblical counseling and grow in their ability to offer biblical counseling.

Characteristics of an Effective Counselor (13-17)

God uses people to change people.

God uses imperfect people to change people.

Spiritual Characteristics (13)

born again

Spirit-filled

Love God

Love people

growing spiritually

fighting sin

Personal Characteristics (13-16)

Teachable (13)

Compassionate (14)

Kind (14)

It’s error to think that harsh words are required to brake (soften) a hard heart

Humble (14)

Gentle (15)

Patient (15)

Forbearing (15)

Forgiving spirit (16)

Loving (16)

Skill Development (16-17)

know the Word (16)

A passion for God’s word is a passion to know God better.

ability to teach the Word (17)

good listener (17)

this includes the skill of asking open-ended (non yes or no) questions.

phone off

discernment (17)

wisely apply truth to life (17)

Conclusion

The prerequisite for being a biblical counselor is being a Christian who aims to live under the lordship of Christ. Teaching people the Word is essential to biblical counseling.

Survey of Counseling Theories (19-22)

There are many competing counseling theories. (19)

Basic Principles of All Counseling Theories (19)

Epistemology (the source of knowledge - how do we know what we know)

anthropology (the nature of man)

Metaphysical Realities (the effort to understand the intangible, i.e. love, purpose etc. This can include questions relating to God)

The source of mankind’s problems

The solutions to man’s problems

All Christians who pursue a career or ministry in counseling need to consider whether and in what way the Bible will be sued in their approach. (19)

Secular Theories (20)

All secular theories

claim to be based on the epistemology of empiricism

epistemology = how we know what we know

empiricism = knowledge that comes from sense or experience

Our experience determines what we know to be true.

Prominent theorists are Sigmond Freud, B.F. Skinner & Carl Rogers

All had a view of God, man and change.

Integration Theories (21)

Within the Christian community there are two methods of interacting with psychology:

Accept and use psychology and make little attempt to integrate biblical truth into thinking and practice

Seek to integrate or synthesize psychology and biblical truth (Integrationists)

Concerns with integrationists

psychology is the foundation

misunderstands doctrinal and general revelation

misunderstands the doctrine of sufficiency

views Scripture through the lens of psychology

rejects theories of psychology that directly rejects the sufficiency of Scripture

accepts as useful principles of psychology which are not directly contradicted in Scripture

often redefine and twist biblical principles into unbiblical psychological ideas

Some practices that may help guard against marginalizing or excluding biblical truth from our counsel

use biblical language

don’t be driven by pragmatism (faithfulness above “success”)

keep our ministry of biblical counseling connected to the local church (the community where godly change is fostered and doctrinal accountability is provided for counselors)

Scripture must always be our foundation and anchor.

Christian Theories (21-22)

charismatic, bible-as-a-pill (21)

The distinctive of biblical counseling (22)

the bible is sufficient and is therefore the primary resource

allows for legitimate, empirical (verifiable observation or experience) science to make contributions to the process of helping people.

affirms and emphasizes the practical implications of biblical truth

Assessing Counseling Theories (23-29)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (23-24)

The core principle is that one’s emotions and behaviors are driven by one’s thoughts. This approach therefore focuses on thought change.

Two key problems

the goal of the counseling is defined by the client

Why is this a problem?

The standard of right and wrong, again, is determined by the client. (24)

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (24-25)

Psychiatry (25-27)

Summary

assumption that our behavior is at least primarily, if not exclusively, influenced by biological interactions in our bodies (chemical make-up and brain function) (26)

a tendency to marginalize factors outside the workings of the body (life circumstances, relationships, personal history) (26)

medications are targeted at altering brain chemistry with the hope that emotional and behavioral problems will be reduced. (26)

Evaluation

the body affects the emotions and soul

there are conditions and symptoms similar to soul-produced feelings and behaviors that are undesired or even sinful. (26)

The theory of psychiatric-based counseling does not deal with known medical conditions. Known medical problems are treated by doctors. Theoretical approaches lack meaningful scientific support. (26)

There are no known tests to evaluate what is balanced or imbalanced brain chemistry. (26)

Psychiatrists do not run medical tests (blood work, scans?) and prescribe medications based on the findings of those tests. (26)

Focused on symptom management not solving problems.

Twelve Step Programs (27-29)

Summary (27)

Disease model

dependency on following the steps in community with other strugglers

based on biblical ideas but lack the exclusivity of the Bible containing the answers

Evaluation (28-29)

helps many avoid destructive habits, but the success rate is low (50% success rate, 25% sobriety after relapsing)

Ties individuals’ identity to their struggle (should Christians think of themselves this way?)

At least a lack of clarity regarding God, man and biblical answers. Seems to distort these truths.

Problems with Celebrate Recovery program as well.

The Theology of Sanctification (31-37)

Definition (31)

The word “sanctify” and its derivatives comes from the Greek word hagiazo. Depending on the context it is translated into words such as consecrate, dedicate, purity, make holy, sanctify, saint, etc. At its root, it means to separate, or to make distinct.

Why do we need to understand sanctification to be effective biblical counselors?

Sanctification & Justification (31), Positional Sanctification (31-32)

Progressive Sanctification (32-34)

life-long process of becoming more holy, more Christ-like

How might the doctrine of progressive sanctification sustain us in the rigors of biblical counseling?

Perfected Sanctification (34), Sanctification and the Holy Spirit (34-35), Sanctification and Union with Christ (35-37)

The Practice of Sanctification (39-43)

Common Errors, Free Grace Theology, Liberate Theology (39-40)

The Biblical Process of Change (40-42)

Ephesians 4:21–24 ESV

assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Colossians 3:8–10 ESV

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

Romans 12:2 ESV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Step 1: Put off (41)

means to remove something from one’s life

S-T-O-P: ??

Step 2: Renew Mind (42)

Think differently

Think rightly

about what is wrong

about oneself

about God’s character

about life

about God’s revelation

be filled with the knowledge of God’s spiritual wisdom.

What is key to thinking rightly? How do we help people who are overwhelmed with their problems to practice this?

Notice it is not put off then put on. In between is renew mind. Why is renew mind a necessary step between putting off and putting on?

Step 3: Put On (42-43)

means to begin to live consistently with the renewed mind.

develop new life habits (rehabituation - Adams)

How people change (43)

Daily

put off sin

put on righteousness, holiness

recognize the connection between physical and spiritual exercise.

The Heart in Counseling - Part 1 (45-54)

We do what we do because we want what we want. (45)

True?

James 4:1–3 ESV

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

pleasures = hedonism

lust = strong desire, compelling desire

Why do we want what we want?

We are dichotomous beings (46)

body and soul

material and imaterial

body = sleeplessness - soul = anxiety

It is not always clear where the physical begins and the spiritual begins.

Scripture refers to the immaterial part of us as

soul, spirit, mind, heart

A biblical View of the Heart (47-49)

The control center of life (47)

It speaks (48)

Proverbs 4:23 ESV

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

It plans

It desires

It thinks

It emotes

It acts

It worships

How should this understanding of the heart shape our understanding and approach to addressing people’s problems?

What is idolatry?

taking something of limited value and assigning it ultimate value.

The Heart of Worship (51-53)

The heart is primarily made to worship (51)

Because of the Fall, false worship is what we do.

attribute the power to control the world, our circumstances, meet our needs, protect us, provide for us, give our children, bring us happiness, satisfy our desires, rescue us from enemies, define our identities - anything/anyone we look to for these things is a god to us.

When we do this, we worship a god. (52)

How do we know if a desire has become an idol: (53)

Do I want something that God does not want for me?

Do I become ungodly in some way because I want something that God wants for me?

Do unmet expectations result in ungodliness?

Do my perceived rights, that when denied result in ungodliness?

Do I have an ungodly mindset?

The Solution (53-54)

True worship

The Heart in Counseling - part 2 (55-64)

The three chambers of the heart (55)

Cognition: rational process based on knowledge and beliefs

Affection: a framework of desires ad emotions

Volition: choices reflecting willful commitments

Cognition (55-56)

thinking, knowing, believing, reasoning, remembering, interpreting

Hebrews 4:12 ESV

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Affection (56)

desiring, valuing, feeling, emoting

Luke 24:32 ESV

They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”

Volition

willing, deciding, intending, committing, acting

Romans 6:17 ESV

But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,

The Controlling Heart (56-58)

What’s wrong with this statement? I know this is true, but there’s a disconnect my head and my heart.

it assumes a false difference between head and heart

it’s not that what we know to be true has not penetrated. It has not penetrated because we we are holding onto a lie.

Why do we hold onto lies even when we know the truth?

The controlling heart is the core of our thoughts, desires, values and commitments and has the greatest influence over us and others

stated beliefs and controlling beliefs may be different

values

commitments

How should we go about getting at controlling beliefs, values and commitments when we are convinced the stated one are different?

2 examples on pg. 57

We should ask permission to go deeper into heart issues with people.

The Heart Responds to God (58-59)

When the heart doesn’t respond rightly to God, it will not respond well to everything else.

sin, in general and in its particular manifestations, is a failure to fully and completely love God the way we were designed to do. (58)

What does it mean to love God? To love God is to know Him truly and imitate Him.

Knowing and imitating God is how we worship Him - which is what we were created to do. (59)

The Fall marred the image of God by making us self-oriented rather than God-oriented…. and hostile to God.

The Heart Responds to Self (60-61)

Self image (60)

a mix of what we know to be tru about self, what we want to be true about self and what others convince you is true about yourself.

over time we construct our identity and live and respond our of the constructed identity

God calls us to embrace our given identity and live and respond out of what He says is true about us.

Why is it important to understand our identity as given identities?

The Heart Responds to Others (61-62)

culture at large

family of origin

ethnic or class associations

social spheres

media

the counsulee needs relationships with more people than the counselor.

It is crucial that the people we counsel are connected to the body of Christ.

How do we help encourage this?

The Heart Responds to Circumstances (62-63)

Circumstances as related to situations

Circumstances reveal us: How so?

How we respond to circumstances generally reveals what is really in our heart.

Different circumstances

Life altering

General routines

Opportunities

Responsibilities

How are all circumstances opportunities? (64)