Page 11 - Biblical Counseling II-Textbook

Study Section 2: Introduction to Biblical Counseling II

2.1 Connect

According to Gary Collins, author of Christian Counseling (2007), Jesus Christ is the best model
we have of an effective “wonderful counselor” whose personality,
knowledge, and skills enabled him to assist anyone who needed help (p. 29). Collins states that
“basic to Jesus’ style of helping, however, was his personality. In his teaching, caring and
counseling, he demonstrated those traits, attitudes, and values that made him effective as a
people-helper and that serve as a model for us. Jesus was absolutely honest, deeply compassionate,
highly sensitive and spiritually mature in all of his dealings with people. He was committed to serving his
heavenly Father and his fellow human beings (in that order), prepared for his work through frequent
periods of prayer and meditation, was deeply familiar with Scripture, and sought to help needy persons
turn to him, in whom they could find ultimate peace, hope, and security” (p. 30). Think about Jesus as
counselor as you learn about Biblical Counseling II.

2.2 Objectives

1. The student should be able to review the Biblical Counseling I definition of counsel.

2. The student should be able to define psychology.

3. The student should be able to explain the relationship between Christian faith, science and
psychology.

4. The student should be able to describe Jesus’ style of helping.

2.3 What is counsel?
As you have read, I am a Christian and a counselor, but I am not a pastor. My training is in
counseling, rooted in psychology. Let’s break down what this
means as it impacts what you will learn. In Biblical Counseling I, you learned the answer to the
question “what is counsel?” You also developed an understanding of the core beliefs of Biblical
counseling. Let’s review and add in how psychology impacts Biblical counseling.

Counsel is simply instruction or advice for living (Proverbs 1:1-5; Exod. 18:19)
When people speak of needing “counseling,” they often have in mind those times when they are
suffering from some overwhelming issue or are struggling under the weight of some besetting sin or
crushing emotion, but Biblical counsel encompasses much more than just the “big” issues of life.
Proverbs 1:5 says, “A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will
acquire wise counsel.” The context of this statement makes clear that the subject matter of learning and
the wise counsel received is in reference to the ordinary matters of life, those things that lead to “wise
behavior” (v 3) and “prudence” (v 4). The counsel that Moses’ father-in-law gave him was aimed at
improving his ability to lead the nation of Israel well. It concerned organizational matters. In both cases,

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