Nouthetic Counselling 11

THE FEARFUL COUNSELLEE

We live in fearful times. The events of 9/11 have reminded us of how little real control we have over our lives and have produced a culture of fear. In this lecture Dr. Adams talks to us about the fearful counselees we will be dealing with more and more in these times. This lecture was recorded at an annual meeting of the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors. There is an occasional sound problem during the first ten minutes of the lecture but it was identified and solved without detracting from the lecture.

LESSON OBJECTIVE:

1 TROUBLED TIMES ARE TIMES OF OPPORTUNITY

2 CONVICT, REPROVE AND URGE WITH COMPLETE PATIENCE AND FULL TEACHING

A We are to preach both—

1 In season ()

2 Out of season ()

B Counseling is the same thing as preaching.

1 In both cases the Word of God is ministered to people.

2 Counseling is just not as loud, and (usually) to fewer people.

3 COUNSELLING IS MORE IMPORTANT IN TROUBLED TIMES

A Counseling, generally, is not a prominent ministry in the overall scheme of church ministry.

1 It is one facet of a balanced church ministry.

2 It becomes more important in troubled times because people need to be especially equipped to handle the times.

B What makes these times difficult? FEAR!

1 An apprehension of impending disaster

2 These days includes

● Anthrax

● Terrorists

● Snipers

● Child abductions

4 THE CHIEF FEAR IS DEATH

A Many counselees are enslaved by the fear of death.

A Many counselees are enslaved by the fear of death.

1 Even though our society tries to keep people’s minds off of death,

2 Job calls death the “King of terrors” (). .

B Death is a fearful thing because of its sting ().

1 People innately know they are sinners.

2 God’s law condemns them.

3 We have broken God’s law and will stand before Him some day.

5 HOW DO WE APPROACH PEOPLE WHO ARE FEARFUL

A Make sure they know Christ—Evangelize!

B Stress what God has done for the believer.

1 Christ conquered death.

2 It is not appropriate to go on fearing the way the world does.

C Be frank with your counselees about death.

1 Few other people have been.

2 The facts of death are as important to understand as the facts of life.

3 People do not need to be enslaved to a fear of death.

6 BOTTOMLINE - WE DO NOT FEAR THOSE WHO CAN KILL ONLY THE BODY

A Instead of fearing, believers are to love. .

1 We do not love as we ought and therefore,

2 We fear as we should not.

B It is the fear of God that is the beginning of wisdom.

1 Love God, and others and,

2 The fear of man will be placated.

GIVING UP

LESSON OBJECTIVE:

1 GOD’S KIND OF COUNSELLOR DOES NOT GIVE UP

A Counseling is hard work

1 We are all busy and get tired.

2 Everyone has pressures.

3 The only thing that will keep you from losing heart is the Lord’s work in your life.

B You must be taking this course because you understand how much you need it to prepare yourself for the ministry God has for you.

1 God will be throwing people at you who need help.

2 You need to be not only willing, but also equipped to help them.

C Why do some lose heart?

1 Lack of appreciation

2 Opposition

3 Rejection

4 Delayed results

● We don’t counsel for our sake.

 Our success is measured by God, not others.

 Success, for us, is obeying and pleasing God.

● Isaiah did not see results.

5 People may question if you ought to be counseling.

6 We may be overly critical of ourselves.

● If we are ministering God’s truth—

 We will be doing more than we usually realize.

 We will be doing far more than the Ph. D. psychologist.

● We don’t live by how we feel, and we don’t counsel that way either.

D Do not lighten up.

1 Quitting somewhat

2 Taking it easier

3 The coming harvest will make it all worthwhile.

2 INSTEAD, HE IS COMMITTED TO CRAFTSMANSHIP

.

A God expects us to become skillful counselors.

A God expects us to become skillful counselors.

1 If giving up is what we are to put off,

2 Then the skillful development of our craft as counselors is what we are to put on.

B The word skillful speaks of being sharp (as opposed to obtuse), quick to understand.

C To be quick, able, and accurate as a counselor will require the skillful

1 Analysis of problems,

2 Discovery of the Biblical description of that problem,

3 Offering of God’s solution to that problem,

4 Suggesting Biblical implementations of that solution.

D Ezra was an example of a man who became skillful with the Word.

E Skilled craftsmen with the Word

1 Use the Word accurately. .

● They make accurate cuts so the material will fit properly.

● They will not be ashamed.

2 Are to be recognized for their craftsmanship. .

●   money, pay

● KJV “honor” (same word) comes from the Latin and is the reason we call what we pay a visiting speaker an “honorarium.”

● The same word is used in for the “price” of the books that were burned.

3 Will be blessed by God for their effort –

F We do not grow as craftsmen for our sake, however.

1 We serve God out of gratitude—

● For His sake,

● For the sake of our counselees.

2 We serve God thankfully—

● As Paul did, who was once a murderer.

● We are not worthy either.