Path for Change

Path of Change

STUDY GUIDE NOTES

Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 3:18 – “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this come from the Lord who is the Spirit”

Rethinking (Reframing) The Problem

A significant part of the counseling process involves helping the counselee to rethink (or reframe) their problem. Rethinking (or reframing) the problem is that part of the functional dynamic where the cognitive process comes into play. Rethinking (or reframing) the problem involves transforming the thoughts and attitudes of the counselee. Rethinking can help the counselee move forward in becoming a more godly person.

The counselor needs to teach the counselee what is involved in the process of change.

Often the counselee either does not know or understand how the change process works. Therefore, the counselor needs to teach the counselee how God brings about change in someone’s life. There is a three-factored process to successfully bring about change.

& The counselee must discard old patterns of ungodly behavior.

& The counselee must reconstruct their thinking.

& The counselee must adopt new patterns of godly behavior.

Several passages were discussed and disseminated in order to prove this three-factored process of change is a Biblical format. The following chart expresses some of the key points of this section.

Passage

Put Off

Put On

Mindset Change

Ephesians 4:25

Lying

Speaking truth

Lying to another is like lying to self

Ephesians 4:26-27

Ungodly Anger

Settled relationships

Stop being selfish, revengeful. Instead minister to others

Ephesians 4:28

Stealing

Working hard

Minister to others who are in need. Learn to give.

Ephesians 4:29-31

Attacking speech

Sharing and caring speech

Use words to build up. Be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.

Psalm 37:8 (esp. 1-8 and 27f)

Worry and Envy

Trust in the Lord and Do Good

Focus our attention on God and then look at our circumstances through the lens of God’s Word

Philippians 4:6-7

Anxiousness

Trusting Prayer

Anxiety is incompatible with trusting the Sovereign Lord

Romans 12:3-9

Thinking of self more highly then we ought

Think with an accurate judgment of self

Humility accepts a place of service and care for others. Love is essential for humility.

Romans 6:13

Offering your body to sin

Offer your whole life and person to God

We are to be ruled by grace.

2 Timothy 2:22

Youthful lusts

Pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace

We are to be holy. Our lives are to be set apart for godly tasks.

The Biblical counselor needs to teach the counselee how to rethink (reframe) their problem through the implementation of Biblical principles in life situations.

The Biblical counselor needs to recognize that the counselee will have improper ways of thinking. The counselee might have an incorrect view of God. The counselee might be confused about God’s power, sovereignty, wisdom, holiness, justice, love, mercy, and grace. Their distorted notions about God will skew their views regarding the true nature of life and how to live it. The counselee might have an incorrect view of people. The counselee might make themselves, rather than God, the center of their existence (see Jas. 4:1-6).

2. There are four steps the Biblical counselor should follow to help a counselee rethink (reframe) their problem (see Phil. 4:6-9).

First, the Biblical counselor should encourage the counselee to have the right focus. We are to help redirect the focus of their thoughts from themselves to God and His character. They are to consider how He who is All Powerful, All Knowing, and Ever Present could handle their problems. The Westminster Catechism initial commendation should be a banner that we live our lives by: The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.

Second, the Biblical counselor should encourage the counselee to practice right behavior. In this passage, Paul encouraged the Philippians to replace their anxiety with the peace of God. Therefore, we can choose to stop being anxious.

Third, the Biblical counselor should encourage the counselee to adopt a right attitude about God, humanity, and life. In prayer, we display in our attitude and posture that we are dependent upon God. In God-honoring prayer, we show a proper attitude of heart; we recognize a dependence on God; we express our gratitude to God for who He is and what He has done; and we express our confidence in God.

Fourth, the Biblical counselor should encourage the counselee to be focused on the right subjects. The counselee is to practice the Biblical truths and principles he has learned and will learn in the future.

3. There are three steps the Biblical counselor should follow to help the counselee implement the Biblical principles they have learned.

First, the Biblical counselor should help the counselee analyze the nature of their problem. The Biblical counselor might suggest that the counselee keep a diary or journal. Second, the Biblical counselor should help the counselee identify ungodly patterns of thinking and behaving that might be recorded in their diary or journal. Third, the Biblical counselor should help the counselee formulate a strategy or plan for implementing Biblical principles that will help them successfully deal with and overcome their problem.

4. There are five truths regarding dealing with evil as found in Romans 12:17-21

In closing the discussion of rethinking or reframing problems, we looked at a well-known passage from Romans 12:17-21. Dr. Eyrich stated that the sin that is dominating the church today is the sin of bitterness. Therefore, if we seriously attempt to practice these principles in our life (put off the ungodly, put on the godly and change our thinking), we can see significant changes in our lives and bring about significant change in the world around us for the glory to God.

Principle # 1 – Have a commitment to not be vindictive (vs. 17)Principle # 2 – Have a commitment to being a peacemaker (vs. 18)Principle # 3 – Have a commitment to the Justice of God (vs. 19)Principle # 4 – Have a commitment to plans and perform good to your enemy (vs. 20)Principle # 5 – Have a commitment to overcome evil with good (vs. 21)