Biblical Counseling Basics Does Biblical Counseling apply to everyone? Jonathan Holmes, the Founder and Executive Director of Fieldstone Counseling and the Pastor of counseling for Parkside Church Bainbridge and Green said this... “In the 1970’s & 80’s there was a series of studies that were done comparing the outcomes of professional counselors who met with their patients versus just what they would call para-professionals, just everyday people like you and I , and the outcomes of people that they would just be friends with or be in community with. And, the first study that was done in 1979 said this, and it was a groundbreaking study, they said people, just everyday people, actually get better outcomes than professionally licensed therapists and counselors and the professional community was beside themselves. They couldn’t believe that. So, they actually said, “No”. We need to completely redo another study and they did a meta-study. And, if you’re in research, you know a meta-study takes a bunch of other different studies and combines all the data together. They did a meta-study of 42 other studies and, you know what they found out?
Does Biblical Counseling apply to everyone? Jonathan Holmes quote…Continued… They actually found the outcomes were underreported in the first study, and that para-professionals, everyday people like you and I , actually have better counseling outcomes than people who go see professionally licensed therapists. So, the community began to think to themselves, “Well then what is it about just everyday people that they can sometimes get better outcomes from their clients.” And, so, they did another study. And, Keith Herman, in 1993, did a study called “Reassessing Predictors of Therapist Competence”, big fancy title. Listen to what they found out in this study. They said counselors, para-professionals, we are beginning to realize that there are six qualities that make them most effective. I want to read them to you, this is what the study discovered…Maturity, love, genuine concern, empathy, humility, vulnerability.” Source : Conference at CC Modesto, 9/25/2018 “Session #2 – Helping Others” at 18:15.
Biblical Counseling Basics PREQUISITES to “good” & “successful” counseling. Prerequisite #1 – We need a relationship with God. Prerequisite #2 – We need a growing working knowledge of & reverence for the word of God. Prerequisite #3 – We need an unequivocal understanding of how much smarter God is than we are. Prerequisite #4 – We need a healthy fear of the Lord. Prerequisite #5 – We need our fear of man needs to be decreasing. Prerequisite #6 – We need an understanding of our spiritual chain of command or resources. Prerequisite #7 – We need a proper understanding of who the real counselor is…God. Prerequisite #8 – We need a proper understanding that God will always back His word. Prerequisite #9 – We need to believe God’s Holy Spirit will give a person all they need to obey His word.
Biblical Counseling Basics Biblical Counseling – How do we do it? How to #1 – We need to be praying people. How to #2 – We need to be good listeners. How to #3 – We need to be inquisitive to get a full understanding. How to #4 – As we are gaining an understanding of the situation we need to seek the Lord for where He wants us to go in His word for answers. How to #5 – Seek wisdom from the Lord on how to apply the word of God. How to #6 – We need to actually go to God’s word with the counselee. How to #7 – If unsure where to go in God’s word, ask for more time and seek the Lord others for help. How to #8 – When you’re unsure what to say, don’t say anything… How to #9 – We are never to show partiality to people (fear of man). How to #10 – We always need to be aware there is another side to the story. How to #11 – You can only deal with the person in the room. How to #12 – Always leave the person you’re talking with hope and practical direction.
Biblical Counseling Basics Biblical Counseling – What are the benefits? Benefit #1 – Biblical counsel ministers to people and keeps them spiritually and even physically healthy. Benefit #2 – Biblical counsel can prevent anxiety leading to depression. Benefit #3 – Biblical counsel will help people from making mistakes and falling. Benefit #4 – Biblical counsel helps people to be wise themselves. Benefit #5 – Biblical counsel gives confidence for people to move forward. Benefit #6 – Biblical counsel is “good” to people…whether they realize it or not.
Biblical Counseling Basics Miscellaneous thoughts! Thought #1 – How are we to measure success in counseling (three questions)? Question #1 – Did we look to God’s word for answers and direction? Question #2 – Did we deliver the truth in the least offensive manner possible? Question #3 – Did we leave them with hope and practical direction? Thought #2 – Sometimes you will be totally misunderstood. Thought #3 – We are to remain confidential in all our dealings. Thought #4 – You will not be able to help those that don’t want the help. Thought #5 – God’s principles are the same for all people. Thought #6 – Don’t get discouraged if you feel inadequate (keep growing). Thought #7 – Always be open to physical issues (not always spiritual)?
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