What makes Biblical Counseling so unique/different?
(What is it and why is it so important.)
Heath Lambert (Theology of Biblical Counseling) – Counseling is a conversation where one party with questions, problems, and trouble seeks assistance from someone they believe has answers, solutions, and help.
- Basically, we are all counselors. (some are just not very good at it)
Questions, Problems, and Trouble.
- 1 Cor. 10:13 – No temptation…
- There are no new problems. Fear, anger, lust, grief, depression, anxiety, discouragement… They have always been around.
Answers, Solutions, and Help
- Giving the proper Answers, Solutions, and Help with the goal of seeing REAL CHANGE.
- Real Change – the likeness of Christ. Maturing into the likeness of Christ.
- 1 Tim. 1:5 – goal
- 1:28-29 – present everyman complete in Christ.
Why we believe Biblical Counseling can provide the answers, solutions, and help necessary to bring about Christ-likeness.
- Flow of this outline is from Institute of Biblical Counseling and Discipleship Ministry ibcd.org/ (Soul Care and Discipleship lectures)
It is God-Centered
- 2 Cor 5:9 – Aim is to please Him.
- Most of issues spring not from what His desire is, but WHAT IS MY DESIRE.
- I deserve this
- I need this
- It is not what we want or what we think we should have, but rather what God’s desire is.
- In this situation… How can I please Him?
- In this situation…. How can I conform to the likeness of Christ?
- Basically… It is getting someone onto God’s agenda. How can this situation help me glorify Him (rely on Him, trust in Him)
It is founded on Biblical Theology
- What we believe about God, Man, and Sin are crucial as we live life. WE MUST HAVE A BIBLICAL WORLD VIEW. HOW DO WE PROCESS LIFE?
- What we believe will come out in our conversations and life.
It confronts Sin as the source of mankind’s spiritual problems
- We are more than just physical beings. We have a soul
- We are fallen people. We are not only impacted by our sin, but also the fallenness of others
- Romans 3:10 ff – We are fallen
- Acts 17:30 – Repentance is necessary
It is Christ-centered and redemptive.
- 2 Cor. 5:21 – In Him we might become the righteousness of God.
- Romans 6:1 ff – Dead to sin, but alive to God
- It is not a list of does and don’ts. RATHER it is about A SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION. LIFE CHANGE
- From the inside out. (takes us to #5)
It aims at the heart
- Mark 7:20-23 – Human heart is what defiles a man.
- Proverbs 4:23 – Keep your heart with all vigilance for from it flow the well spring of life.