Page 66 - Biblical Counseling I Textbook

• How is this person Conceptualizing his world?
• What is this person’s History with this problem?

Learn to listen patiently and actively (Jam. 1:19).
• Patient listening does not jump to conclusions (Prov. 18:13; 1 Cor. 13:7).
• Active listeners ask clarifying questions.

Examples of Good Clarifying Questions:

• You said ____. What did you mean by that?

• Can you describe what that looked like?

• How did you feel when that happened?

• What were you thinking when that happened?

• What were you expecting when you…?

• Can you give me examples?

• If you had your way, what would be different?

• When have you done/experienced something like this before?

• What’s another way you might describe that?

• What are you most afraid will happen?

Hear from all parties involved if possible (Prov. 18:17).

“Listen” to non-verbal communication (Prov. 6:13).

[ The most important information you need to know is whether or not this person is a believer (Mark 8:36).]

Interpretation
Interpretation is the process of coming to a biblically informed understanding of what we have heard and
observed so that we can explain it to the person we are helping in a way that makes sense and so that we can
provide accurate counsel and direction.

We are always interpreting the “data” of our world.

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