Page 70 - Biblical Counseling I Textbook

Our instruction must come from the Word of God (Ps. 1; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
• Handle the Scriptures carefully (2 Tim. 2:15; Jam. 3:1).
• Do not proof text! Use passages as they were intended.

Preaching and counseling are similar but different.
• Preaching is counsel with a shotgun; counseling is preaching with a rifle.
• Preaching moves from Scripture to life; counseling moves from life to Scripture.

Plan your time together.

• Study (2 Tim. 2:15).
• Pray (Col. 1:9-12).
• Prepare (Prov. 21:5).

Teach to engage. Speak with, not at.

Deal firmly with sin (Prov. 27:5; Luke 17:3; 2 Tim. 4:2).
• Gently lead them to repentance (Luke 17:3; 2 Cor. 7:8-11).
• Help them to see what must be “put on” when sin is “put off” (Eph. 4:22-29).

Teach redemptively (Rom. 1:16-17; 6:1ff).
• Bring the gospel to bear upon the problem.

• Do NOT focus on behavior modification alone.

Avoid legalism (giving commands beyond what the Bible says).

Intention
The goal of our instruction is not merely knowledge but true change. We teach for the purposes of persuasion
(2 Cor. 5:11, 20), so we must aim our instruction at the person’s intentions.

The person is responsible to take action toward change (Phil. 2:12-13; Jam. 1:22)

God cares about why we do what we do (1 Sam. 16:7; Luke 16:15).
• People often act for the wrong reasons (1 Cor. 13:1-3; Phil. 1:15).
• The gospel is the key to motivation (2 Cor. 8:7-9).

Feelings do not dictate our actions. Obedience often requires action against our feelings (Gal. 5:17).

Be prepared to meet resistance with grace (John 4:7-26).

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