A Comprehensive Biblical Model For Christian Counseling

Although there are psychologists who believe that psychology is the answer to all of mankind's mental disorders; there is no one program which will be effective to help fallen mankind. While the scientific knowledge of psychology has its place, it must never supersede the infallible Word of God. Therefore, counselors should use this therapy very moderately and with wisdom. Moreover, there are not many psychologists from the secular arena who are of the opinion that the Word of God has any place in counseling. Still, counseling is a function and ministry of the Christian church. A few years ago I did a research study which answered the question, "What is the purpose for counseling in the Christian church and the role of psychology in this approach?" In my findings I found that many pastors were not interested in counseling, while others sent the hurting individual to secular professionals who do not acknowledge the fallen state of man. However, one of the most important features of Christian counseling is the truth of God's word which has effect for any condition and helps the entire person: soul, body, and spirit. This sets Christian counseling apart from secular which is based on psychology. The text is prepared for the Christian counselor who wants to excel in the profession with a desire to help the wounded counselee. Dr. Stuart is a Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor who has been in the profession for many years. She is the Associate Pastor of Hope Redemption Worship Center Inc., GA, where Rev. Winston L. Blair is Pastor. For more on Dr. Stuart and to listen to archived programs on the internet go to www.frministry.org

You speak God’s truth when you counsel. But do you also communicate His grace? The Christian counselor or pastor plays an important role in helping people process the trauma they’ve experienced. Too often, a client leaves the counselor’s office with feelings of guilt and shame. They feel the heavy burden of what they did wrong. But somehow, they’ve missed the grace of God that makes things right again. A counseling model that stays true to a biblical worldview will overflow with grace . . . not cheap grace, but real grace that acknowledges sin while offering a hopeful path to redemption and healing. In Grace-Based Counseling, professional counselors Richard Fowler and Natalie Ford offer a model that blends the truths of Scripture, the science of psychology, and the everlasting hope of the gospel. In this book you will find: New, grace-based counseling model Detailed application of the model, with case studies Practical toolbox with surveys, assessments, and counseling helps A Christian counseling model can’t just be about admonishment. That approach only leads to shame and human efforts that are doomed to fail. But when the gospel is brought to bear in the counseling relationship, real life change is possible. Then the counselor becomes an instrument of divine grace in the hands of a faithful God.

Kirwan not only sounds a clarion call for thorough integration of psychology and theology, he demonstrates that it can be done.

Master the essentials of effective biblical counseling Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling is a comprehensive resource that will help you understand how to minister from God’s truth to change lives. With the cumulative wisdom of almost 40 contributors with exceptional credentials and experience, you’ll discover a valuable model for counseling that explains… The Why of Biblical Counseling Why the Bible is sufficient and relevant for addressing every issue we face Why biblical counseling is so effective in helping people face life’s struggles in Christ’s strength The How of Biblical Counseling How you can lead struggling, hurting people to the hope and strength available only in Christ How to counsel in a way that is Christ-centered and God-glorifying Every chapter provides a wonderful blend of theological wisdom and practical expertise, and is written to be accessible to everyone who wishes to extend Christ’s love to others—pastors, church leaders, counseling practitioners, instructors, lay people, and students. In this massively important new book…leading figures in the biblical counseling movement set forth a wealth of wisdom. We have needed this book for a long time. —Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr., president, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling is warm, personal, gentle, always wanting to listen and know the person, confident in the Spirit’s working through the Word of Christ. —Dr. Ed Welch, CCEF faculty, author of Shame Interrupted

In Effective Biblical Counseling, Gold Medallion Award-winning author Dr. Larry Crabb presents a model of counseling that can be gracefully integrated into the functioning of the local church. He asserts that counseling is simply a relationship between people who care and that its goal is to free people to better worship and serve God. This book will show you how to help people achieve obedience and character growth in their lives, and establish a sense of personal worth and security along the way. Dr. Crabb says, "I believe that God has ordained the local church to be his primary instrument to tend to his people's aches and pains. In writing this book I have tried to be of practical help to Christians who want to be more effective in ministering to their suffering brothers and sisters."

Practical guidelines for Christian counsellors Counselling based on biblical principles Tackles the heart of the human problem - the problem of the human heart

Everyone talks about the personal ministry of the Word, but how do we make one-another ministry truly biblical? Gospel-Centered Counseling equips readers to change lives with Christ’s changeless truth. It does so by examining life’s seven ultimate questions and then guiding readers on a journey that explores the biblical, gospel-centered narrative of: The Word: “What is truth?” “Where can I find answers?” The Trinity: “Who is God?” “Can I know Him personally?” Creation: “Who am I?” “What makes people tick?” Fall: “What went wrong?” “Why do we do the things we do?” Redemption: “Can I change?” “How do people change?” Glorification: “Where am I headed?” “How does our future destiny impact our present reality?” Sanctification: “How can I help?” “How can I change lives?" Bob Kellemen builds on the foundation of the written Word and provides a gospel-centered resource for understanding people, diagnosing problems, and prescribing biblically-based solutions. Gospel-Centered Counseling is the first volume in The Equipping Christian Counselors Series, a comprehensive relational training curriculum for the local church that provides a model for equipping God’s people to change lives with Christ’s changeless truth. This two-volume series weaves together comprehensive biblical insight with compassionate Christian engagement.