FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


What is Biblical Counseling committed to?
Biblical counseling is committed to the position that Scripture provides the only authoritative guide for what we are to believe and how we are to live (2 Timothy 3:16,17). The Biblical Counselor is trained in the use of Scripture and the principles of biblical counseling. He or she does not base his counsel on man?s wisdom, opinions, experience, or concepts of behavior, (Isaiah 55:8-11) but seeks to bring the full range of Biblical truth to focus on the counselee?s need (Hebrews 4:12).

What is the scope of Biblical Counseling?
Biblical counseling deals with the entire range of problems confronting mankind including: broken marriages, parent - child relationships, fear, depression, alcohol and drug abuse, tension, anxiety, worry and any other problems that may result in mental and/or physical immobility. In short the Biblical Counselor is equipped to deal with any problem dealing with ourselves, our relationship to God or our fellow man. 2 Peter 1:3 (NASB) seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

Are Biblical counselors doctors?
In most cases no. Biblical Counselors are usually a part of a teaching ministry under the direction of their local Church, and in other cases the Biblical Counselor acts as a gateway for the local church. The purpose of a Biblical Counselor is the equipping of the saints by the administration of the Word of God to their particular problem. Biblical Counseling Centers are not usually staffed by licensed psychologists or psychiatrists, nor do they prescribe medications. Rather, Biblical Counselors should be considered a part of a faith-based healing and teaching ministry rather than anything associated with the medical professions.

What is the goal of Biblical counseling?
Biblical counseling is intensive discipleship and we believe the goal of discipleship is stated in Colossians 1:28 (NASB) "We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.

The goal then of discipleship (biblical counseling) is to present every man complete (mature) in Christ. Another word for this is sanctification, the developing of Christ like character in the disciple. 

What is the methodology of Biblical counseling?

From Colossians 1:28 we see that the method of biblical counseling includes, “admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom.” Admonishment comes from the Greek word, noutheteoô. It means “to warn, to exhort” or “to caution, to reprove gently or to confront.” Something is wrong. Confrontation presupposes that the counselor has listened and learned what is wrong and is now moving toward confronting what is wrong. Problems are to be solved through verbal communication (words of encouragement, words of remonstrance, and words of reproof). TALK then is the methodology of biblical counseling.

What are the elements of Biblical counseling?

Hope - In Jesus Christ we have a great High Priest who has suffered and been tempted in all things, yet He never sinned. Because of Christ, even though you may be facing every sin common to man, you can have victory. God has promised that He will not let you be tempted beyond your endurance and that He will provide a way for you to have victory in the midst of your temptation. (I Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 4:14-16).

 

Change - In Christ we can learn how to lay aside the old selfish ways of living and put on the new ways of living in a manner worthy of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

We can learn to please God in every area of our lives. We can learn to live a godly life and to live in such a way that we will be increasing in our knowledge of God and our ability to relate to others. Biblical counseling will enable you to make practical changes. (Ephesians 4:20-24; Colossians 1:10).

 

Practice - We need to prove ourselves to be doers of God?s Word and not merely hearers of the Word. Only in the actual practice of the Scriptures shall we be blessed in what we do, and only then will we please the Lord (James 1:22-25; Proverbs 28:13). 

What are the results of Biblical counseling?
 

The results of biblical counseling are:

• The saints are prepared to meet the Lord (presenting everyman complete; Colossians 1:28). 2.
• The Saints are prepared to conduct the work of the ministry (adequate, equipped for every good work, 2 Timothy 3:17). 3.
• The saints are able to live a life worthy of the calling they have received in the life of the church and as a witness to the world (Ephesians 4:1).