INTRODUCTION TO BIBLICAL COUNSELING I

Dates   Notice: The Dates Have Changed

Counseling is “intensified, personalized discipleship in the Word of God.” 

Biblical counseling reaches beyond the mere function of behavior to the worship of God. Biblical counseling, as we understand it, places a person’s spiritual condition as its first priority. We take seriously and address common struggles such as depression, anger, panic attacks and family discord, and at the same time we understand that these are fruits not roots. Their roots are deeply imbedded and entwined in our relationship with God, and they have their ultimate origin in our rebellion against Him. What are today called “mental health” issues are in reality heart/spiritual issues. To teach people to cope with their problems apart from addressing their personal relationship with God is to do them a great disservice. If they are believers, we have failed to point them to God and to help them see the glory of His power and grace in their lives. If the counselee does not have a personal relationship to God through Jesus Christ, we do not want to teach him how to live better apart from God, rather we wish to show him the cross and teach him to live to the glory of God.

For example, people who struggle with being co-dependant must not only address unhealthy relationships to people, but they must also address their relationship to God. Behavior is the servant of the wants and desires of our heart. Those who wrestle with co-dependant behaviors must address such issues as their controlling desire for acceptance by other people; otherwise they will only substitute one unhealthy behavior for another. We call this controlling desire of the heart idolatry. Idolatry occurs any time we allow ourselves to be controlled by someone or something other than God. This is why we believe counseling of any depth must address issues of worship which are issues of the heart. The ultimate question is, to whom or to what are we bowing or serving? A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is, therefore, foundational to counseling and to lasting change.

True counseling then, is that which helps a person better understand the need of the Gospel everyday. It teaches faith and repentance as a way of life, and it results in a growing enjoyment of God. It is counseling that effects the heart of man, the center of our lives, the place out of which we believe, live, respond and hope (Proverbs 4:23). True counseling strives to bring about heart change which lasts because it is grounded in a personal and on-going relationship with God.

Is the Bible Sufficient for Counseling?

Yes, the Bible is sufficient for and significant in meeting counseling needs which arise from non-organic (mental/spiritual, not physical, in nature) causes. All the problems mankind faces as the result of the Fall are summarized by Scripture under two main categories - physical and spiritual. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 teaches us that “all Scripture…is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness.” Today this truth is being demonstrated in churches, homes and counseling centers all through the United States and in many parts of the world.

God has blessed us with both medical doctors trained to address physical problems and Christians trained by the Scripture to address the spiritual issues people face. At times medical people and biblical counselors need to work together as they address psychosomatic problems.

When marriages suffer, divorce is too often given as the only hope for personal peace and fulfillment. Yet, there is no reason two Christians should have to divorce in an attempt to find joy. The Bible says that God hates divorce and that His Word is sufficient to address any struggle and to enable believers to find greater peace and joy in the marriage than they would fine out of it. Even a believer married to an unbeliever can find peace and joy in Christ in the midst of trials. In certain situations God does approve of divorce, but these are far rarer than today’s divorce rate indicates.

Child rearing has been challenging throughout history. Again, the Scripture is eminently practical as it gives us clear principles with which to raise our children.

There are problems that can be extremely difficult to address. But often the primary issue is our attitude not the problem itself. Counselors who use the Bible to structure their methods and define the problems, solutions and goals have had amazing results as they witnessed the power of God though His Word and by His Spirit to transform peoples’ lives and rebuild their families to the glory of God.

Seminar Leader
Dr. Craig Rowe is an Associate Pastor in charge of pastoral counseling at Trinity Presbyterian Church in States­boro, GA. Dr. Rowe counseled and taught at the Biblical Counseling Center in Arlington Heights, IL, for five years. He has served as a senior pastor for 25 years. He received a Masters of Divinity and a Doctorate of Ministry in Counseling from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. He trained under such men as Drs. Jay Adams, Ed Welch, and Paul Tripp. He is certified and a Fellow with the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors(NANC) and teaches at their annual conference. He and his wife Sue have four grown children.

Place
Ephesus Church
226 Goshen Rd.
Rincon, Georgia
912-826-4598

Price                                                                                                                                                               Individual attendance(not seeking NANC certification)                             $ 75*                         Married couples (neither seeking NANC certification)                             $110*                               One person seeking credit toward NANC certification                             $114**                       Married couples—one seeking NANC certification                                  $164**                       Married couples— both seeking NANC certification                                $193**

 
Topics and Three Weekend Format

September 12 (Friday)                                                                                                                                          7:00-9:30 PM
                Is the Bible Sufficient?
                Who Should Counsel?

September 13(Saturday)                                                                                                                                9:00-11:30 AM
                How Can You Say, I Care?
                Gathering the Information You Need

1:00-3:15 PM
                Making Sense of the Information You Gather
                Discovering and Applying Biblical Solutions  

We are now taking registrations for this seminar.Download a registration form here. You can mail the completed form along with the seminar fee to :

Ephesus Church                                                                                                                                                     P.O. Box 436                                                                                                                                                      Rincon, Ga. 31326

or

You can drop it by our office at 226 Goshen Rd. M-F between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm. Any questions please contact Steve Thomas at 912-826-4598 or email at pastor.sthomas@gmail.com.

You can also visit the NANC website here.