What Is Biblical Counseling?
His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:3
Biblical counseling gives hope, wisdom, and clarity from Scripture to practical, everyday issues, situations, and problems. Since God created us, He not only knows what’s best for us, but also desires our good. In His kindness and mercy, He graciously gave His Word, the Bible, to sufficiently answer our problems in life. Through skillful and comprehensive counsel, biblical counselors give God’s direction through the various trials and uncertainties of life. Biblical counseling is a primary means of helping each other grow in becoming faithful followers and disciples of Christ.
Does Biblical Counseling Work?
Although all counseling is largely dependent on the willingness, diligence, and receptivity of the counselee, biblical counseling is the only form of counseling that reaches the root of all problems—the heart. Since the heart is the command center for all our passions, desires, and actions, biblical counseling is the only counseling sufficiently equipped by God to change the root of our problems. Though we cannot guarantee that trials and difficulties will go away, we can promise that the Holy Spirit can change anyone’s heart through biblical instruction. Biblical counseling offers hope, meaning, and purpose to anyone willing to follow Scripture.
Common Issues in Biblical Counseling
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Marital Conflict
- Parental Problems
- Anger
- Addictions
- Body Image
- Decision-making
- Fear
- Psychiatric Disorders
- Suicide
- Gender/Sexuality
- ALL LIFE ISSUES
What is the Process of Biblical Counseling?
Biblical counseling recognizes that we all live as sinners in a sinful world. As a result, every person is simultaneously both a sufferer and a sinner. Biblical counseling seeks to both guide and direct counselees away from their sin and toward Christ, while also giving Gospel hope and comfort in areas of suffering. Each biblical counseling session is always characterized by prayer, empathy, listening, guidance, instruction, encouragement, and hope.
Biblical Counseling FAQs
Does biblical counseling just give Bible verses to problems?
While we use Scripture as our authority and guide, biblical counseling does not simply throw verses at problems. In- stead, we skillfully address problems through God’s wisdom in Scripture mak- ing unique and personal application.
Does biblical counseling reject psychology?
Throughout the years, psychology has made many useful observations to help understand the human condition. We are thankful to psychology for helping ex- pand our understanding of human tendencies to problems. However, psy- chology is insufficient in recognizing the ultimate problem (sin), the ultimate so- lution (Jesus), and the ultimate hope (salvation). Therefore, we counsel from the wisdom of God through Scripture ra- ther than the wisdom of the world through psychology.
Does biblical counseling reject psychiatric medication?
No. We whole-heartedly endorse the necessary and godly gift of modern medicine. God’s common grace has allowed bodily healing through medicine when given through medical professionals. However, medicine is never the an- swer to soul issues. Biblical coun- seling works with medical profes- sionals to address both wholistic body and soul care.
Do I have to be a Christian to receive biblical counseling?
No. However, biblical counseling strives to help struggling people through the hope and power of God’s Word. In order for genuine, lasting change to occur, a counselee must be willing to listen and re- spond to the Word of God.
“Without counsel, plans fail,
but with many advisers, they succeed.”
Have You Ever Wanted To:
- Help people, but aren’t confident you have the answers?
- Point people to hope but feel inadequate?
- Provide clarity to life’s confusion?
- Give counsel that helps people thrive instead of just survive?
- Know how the Bible speaks to daily issues and problems?
- Biblical Counseling helps give all of this and more!
What Is Biblical Counseling Training?
Biblical Counseling …
- …is the practical application of Scripture to every facet of life.
- …speaks the hope of the Gospel into the darkness of a sinful world.
- …skillfully applies biblical truth to the complications of life.
Biblical counseling training year 1 (BCT1) studies the basics of biblical counseling to give competency in informal counseling conversations.
Successful completion of BCT1 leads to certification from FBC and consideration to be selected for BCT2.
The second year of biblical counseling training (BCT2) moves from the learning to the doing—trainees will learn, observe, and give formal counseling.
What Are the Expectations?
To become good at anything, we must work hard. Therefore, for biblical counseling year 1, we expect the following from our trainees:
- Commitment & Consistency
- Regular Reading—Scripture and Book
- Regular Homework—Writing Reflections, Reviewing
Case Studies, etc. - Class Participation
- Challenge Preconceived Notions of Counseling
- Discretion of Personal Information Shared by Fellow Trainees
- Love for Jesus, the Word of God, and Others
In Need of Biblical Counseling?
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ACBC
The Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) establishes, enforces, and upholds benchmarks for counseling excellence and takes seriously its role in ensuring exceptional quality standards within biblical counseling.
To learn more about the ACBC, click here.