Page 83 - Youth Discipleship Student Textbook

The first thing you do when counseling those addicted to drugs or alcohol is to get them to admit they
have a problem. Talk openly about the issue. Unless they are willing to agree that they have a problem,
they really cannot be significantly helped. This is a case where the youth pastor needs to get involved
with the parents and perhaps seek professional help on their behalf.

One of the difficult situations in substance abuse is that others enable the victim to continue in their
addiction. And many times, they don’t really understand how they are doing this. Counselors
understand that quite often a person addicted to drugs or alcohol must “hit bottom” which means
finally come to admit they have a problem and seek to do something about it. All actions that prevent
them from doing so hinder the process of recovery.

There are multiple organizations, both secular and Christian, that provide counseling and rehabilitation.
The youth pastor should know of these organizations to direct parents and student to get help. They
develop a plan of recovery which others can assist in.

Other problems

As we have learned earlier, there are a variety of problems youth may be facing, and the tools needed
for counseling through all these problems are not able to be considered in this course. AIU offers two
courses on Biblical Counseling which would be extremely beneficial for a pastor of youth to consider.
There are numerous books and videos out that will assist you in learning how to counsel troubled youth.
There is plenty of help. But the Lord is the One who gives victory. Seek to guide those who find
themselves engulfed in miserable circumstances to seek Him. And always pray!

13.4 Let’s Practice…

1. Explain the best approach to counseling a student in crisis.

2. When should you, as a counselor, break confidentiality.

3. How should you counsel a student who plans to commit suicide?

4-8. List five problems children of divorced parents may suffer from?

9. What is a person doing who is an enabler?

10. What is the best approach to deal with a youth who is addicted to substances or alcohol?

13.5 Let’s Personalize this Lesson…

Activity: This short lesson on counseling youth is just an introduction into what you need to
know to become an effective counselor. It just touches the surface of what can be learned
to assist others in resolving problems. Consider taking our Biblical Counseling I and Biblical
Counseling II courses which will further assist you in becoming a effective counselor for
Christ.

82