The Purpose of Biblical Counseling

Introduction

The purpose of all ministry work, including Biblical counseling, is to introduce Christ to the individual(s) being helped.

The Situation

1. The world resides in darkness but unto it a great light has dawned (Matthew 4:16).

59.3 Million people are coping with a mental illness annually as of 2022, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness)

2. By the first Adam, sin entered the world and death by sin(Romans 5:12).

3. The world chose to forsake its knowledge of God and in its chosen ignorance, God gave it over to depravity to work all sorts of evil (Romans 1:18—32).

4. The fall brought a struggle of temptation, lust, desire, enticement, and spiritual death (James 1:14—15).

Pain and suffering are in this world because of the evils of this world.

1. Our own sin.

(The pain of childbirth and the agony of death are specifically connected with the original curse of humanity at the fall (Genesis 3:16—19; Romans 5:12—21).

2. The sin of others.

(The Hebrew people suffered as slaves to Pharoah until the Exodus.)

3. The sin of Satan.

(Job suffered the loss of his income, business, and family by the evil actions of men working as agents of Satan (Job 1:1ff).

Biblical Counseling is Christ Centered

Isaiah 50:4 NKJV

4 “The Lord God has given Me The tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear To hear as the learned.

Those words are applicable to Biblical counselors today. They were written centuries ago by the prophet Isaiah and pertain to the Counselor of counselors—Jesus Christ. —Donny Weimar.

Christ Centered Biblical Counsel

1. At the crux of the matter, the biblical counselor must introduce Jesus to his client. He is Immanuel, “God with us.” His name means Savior or God saves. Jesus has the answers that cannot be found in any other source. Matthew 1:18—25.

2. The redemptive work of Jesus on the cross requires our attention. Galatians 3:13.

3. We must speak of sanctification. Hebrews 10:14; Ephesians 5:26.

4. The subject of repentance demands our consideration. 2 Corinthians 7:10.

5. The application of encouragement, rebuke, and exhortation necessitates prudence and longsuffering with patience. 2 Timothy 4:2.

6. Scriptural authority must form the foundation of the minister’s counseling. Romans 10:8; 2 Timothy 3:16; Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 4:6.

7. Humanity possesses a single, essential purpose; your charge is to unveil it. Ecclesiastes 12:13. That is the very reason we are called Christians, followers of Christ.

8. Helping People God’s Way is the Best Way.

Choosing The Road Less Traveled By

Why this program of study? This course?

A. Licensed Professional Tracks

B. Christian Counseling Track

C. Biblical Counseling Track.

When you are adequately equipped to care for souls, God will use you to minister to His beloved ones. People are going to come to you for help and you mustn’t send them to a “professional” outside the church unless the client’s problems are beyond your skill level. To whom much is given, much is required.