“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”—I Timothy 3:16-17
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.”—2 Peter 1:3
What is Biblical Counseling?
I. De-mystifying the Terms
The phrase “Biblical counseling” is referring to the application of God’s word to specific individuals in specific situations.
A. Counseling
B. Biblical
“We have somehow got hold of the idea that error is only that which is outrageously wrong; and we do not seem to understand that the most dangerous person of all is the one who does not emphasize the right thing.”—D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
II. The Significance of Scripture
“…we psychotherapists must occupy ourselves with problems, which, strictly speaking, belong to the theologian.”—Carl Jung
“The most experienced psychologist or observer of human nature knows infinitely less of the human heart than the simplest Christian who lives beneath the cross of Jesus…The psychiatrist must first search my heart and yet he never plumbs its ultimate depth. The Christian brother knows when I come to him; he is a sinner like myself, a godless man who wants to confess and yearns for God’s forgiveness. The psychiatrist views me as if there were no God. The brother views me as I am before the judging and merciful god in the Cross of Jesus Christ.”—Dietrich Bonheoffer
A. The Bible is Foundational
B. The Bible is Sufficient
C. The Bible is Clear
III. Why is this important?
A. It is Central to His Plan and Purpose for the Church
“God intends the church, not to be one more bolt on the wheel of activity in our lives, but the very hub at the center of one’s life and community…The experience of authentic community is one of the purposes God intends to be fulfilled by the church…Biblical community is the life of Christ on earth today.”—Randy Frazee
B. It is crucial for our growth in God.
C. It is critical for our ongoing health.
“There is no true success in counseling if a person becomes socially (or morally) functional without conscious dependence on and delight in Jesus Christ. This is the means and goal of all health.”— John Piper