Core Value #3 Counseling Biblically 2

Using my Sword

Offering and receiving Biblical counsel in all areas of life

We are looking for people of the Way- the best life as described by Jesus. What is God calling us to be and do in today’s world setting?

Heb 10:24-25 Think and pray about how I can be guided by God’s Spirit to apply what I know from His Word to encourage others

Heb 4:15 Word is a weapon that cuts to the truth. I can misuse it as a weapon of judgement on others. However, I should first use it to cut to intents of my own heart to reveal what is in me. God’s Spirit reveals the truth there and shows its application SO THAT I can live it out.

Prov 26:4 Wisdom is understanding how to apply truth in different situations. Counseling Biblically uses Spirit wisdom to guide my counsel to myself and to others.

The Gospel writers structured and adapted their records of Jesus’ life in different ways to clearly message to very different audiences. M,M,L told of Jesus cleansing the temple as late in Jesus ministry as tensions increased toward crucifixion. Jn told the same story in Ch2 to emphasize His authority as the presence of God with man. These authors were led by the Spirit to tell truth in factual but slightly different contextual ways for their audiences.

Col 3:16-17 When the Word dwells in me richly God’s Spirit will guide me in applying various approaches to teaching, encouraging, worshiping.

All of this is assuming community relationships where this sharing and counseling can happen in context.