Biblical Counseling.pdf - Online Christian Library

If the pastor-counselor does not have the answer he will admit it, and search theScriptures to discover the answer.3. The wisdom the Word of God gives is paramount. Knowledge is not enough. We mustknow these books and chapters well: Proverbs chapters 1-8; Romans 6, 8, 12;Galatians 5, 6; Ephesians 4, 5, 6; Philippians 4; Colossians 3; James; I Peter 3;I John 1, 2, etc.)The counselor will have a humble confidence in the "thus saith the Lord" and willacknowledge that any benefit accruing from his counseling is ultimately attributableto the work of God.note: The pastoral counselor will desire to lead the counselee into the "will of God" for the lifeso that God might be glorified in the life. The counselor will desire to-- heal rather than hurt--build up rather than tear down-- unite rather that to divide and drive further away-- bringabout repentance rather than provoke to wrath.F. We must instill "hope"-1. The need of hope. The counselee often feels that all hope is gone. Life is meaninglesswhen there is no hope. When meaning and purpose in life goes, so does the desireto live. I have often found that if I instilled hope the counselees would begin to listen,desirous to find Biblical answers to their problem (s). Hope to the troubled person islike a life raft to the drowning person.2. How to instill hope. By speaking a kind word, like, "I'm sincerely praying for you."By sharing God's concern for them and showing them God can meet their need. Heis concerned. He cares for He made us and is aware of every need. Hope istremendously needed in their lives. Christ is touched with the feelings of ourinfirmities. There is nothing we could experience, but what He has alsoexperienced it (Hebrews 4:14-16; 12:1-4; 13: 5, 6; I Peter 5:7; Psalm 55:22;I Corinthians 1:3-5)..We instill hope by personal testimony of what God has done in our lives or thelives of others with whom we have labored and who have been recovered from sinand failure. The restored counselees can have tremendous impact by theirtestimony.We give homework assignments partly for the purpose of instilling hope towardchange as they see there are specific things they can do, as well.note:As we reach out to them, sharing the hope of what God can and will do, that genuine hopebecomes a bridge to their future. In this we must establish involvement (Acts 20:21) as wemanifest compassion, empathy, feeling, reaching out in Christ's Name to the needy person.The person is not just a number. Strangers are only friends whom we have never metbefore. We must be willing to show emotion and yet be careful that we are not too intimatelyinvolved. Showing discretion, and yet being compassionate, is very important. Christ hadtears. Going to the extreme of no compassion or tears is wrong.No one can successfully be an island to himself. In one sense each person needs at least oneother person. We must convince the counselee that he is someone who is loved. There is adegree of professionalism that must be maintained, and yet we contend that every person is afriend.©2000, Revival in the Home Ministries 23