Church based counseling, whereby Pastors and laymen may be actively involved in giving Biblical advise (admonishment) to others, has it’s basis in...

1. The commands of Jesus Christ

a. The command to confront a sinning brother

Matt 18:15-17

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

b. The command to fulfill the great commission

Matt 28:19-20

Go ye therefore, and teach (make disciples of) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

2. The believer’s responsibilities to one-another

Every genuine believer is responsible to...

ADMONISH ONE ANOTHER

Rom 15:14

And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

COMFORT ONE ANOTHER

I Thes 4:18

Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

EDIFY ONE ANOTHER

I Thes 5:11

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

EXHORT ONE ANOTHER

Heb 3:13

But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

PROVOKE ONE ANOTHER

Heb 10:24

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

RESTORE ONE ANOTHER

Gal 6:1-2

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

TEACH ONE ANOTHER

II Tim 2:24-26

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient. In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

3. The Biblical Philosophy of the Ministry

The Ministers equip the saints to minister

Eph 4:11-12

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

God uses faithful men to counsel

II Tim 2:2

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

God uses faithful women to counsel

Titus 2:4-5

That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

4. The Sufficiency of Scripture

God knows everything (no one gives Him counsel about anything - Rom.11:34). He knows everything about man and His needs (spiritual, mental, emotional, etc.) God has revealed that which He wants us to know for successful living in the Scriptures. Such knowledge is available to those who possess His Holy Spirit (I Cor.2:16)

2 Pet 1:3

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

a. The Bible is our all sufficient counseling manual

2 Tim 3:16-17

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

b. The Bible can penetrate deep and get to the root of the problem

Heb 4:12-13

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

5. The Adequacy of the Saints

I Corinthians 6:2-4

Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

Should Christians ever go to the heathen (lost, unsaved, unregenerate) world for counsel (advice) on spiritual or interpersonal relationships? Answer: NO!

Why not? They are not qualified to give true spiritual answers.

-- They don't have a relationship with God
-- They don't possess the Holy Spirit
-- They don't know God's Word
-- Generally they don't care about you (don't have the love of Christ)

Yet, many Christians go to the heathen for:

marriage counseling
crisis counseling
family counseling (child rearing)
psychological counseling

(For physical or medical treatment, they can be beneficial; but for spiritual, emotional, relational therapy, no one is more qualified than a Christian who knows God's Word)

A Biblical advisor is...

1. A Christian who KNOWS God

Prov 9:10

the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

2 Pet 1:2-3

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

2. A Christian who FEARS God

Ps 111:10a

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:

3. A Christian who OBEYS God

Ps 111:10b

"a good understanding have all they that do his commandments:
his praise endureth for ever."

4. A Christian who RELYS on God

John 15:5

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

5. A Christian who is filled with God’s WORD

Ps 119:24 -- Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.

Ps 119:27 -- Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

Bible Memory and Meditation are indispensable requirements. A Christian counselor must know how to apply Biblical principles to life.

6. A Christian who is filled with God’s SPIRIT

Eph. 5:18

A Counselor must manifest the fruits of the Spirit:

Gal 5:22-23 -- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

7. A Christian who is filled with God’s LOVE

I Jn 4:7 -- Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

It is true that people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.

8. A Christian who is committed to the LOCAL CHURCH

A Biblical counselor will be an active member of his/her local church; be in agreement with the churches doctrinal convictions, and have a submissive spirit toward the church leadership

Heb 13:17 -- Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Church attendance (in a Church committed to the Bible and people) affords a great opportunity for caring counseling. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

9. A Christian who is committed to KEEPING CONFIDENCES

Prov 11:13 -- A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

"Any person who can be used by the Holy Spirit to lead another to salvation or along the way of sanctification is competent to be used by God to give wise counsel"
(Bobgan, p.11)

* ALL OF THE ABOVE QUALITIES ARE NEEDED FOR ONE TO BE A BIBLICAL COUNSELOR.


C. What are the Benefits of Church based counseling?

(In other words, what are the advantages of Godly Pastors and laymen performing the intensive discipleship ministry of Christian Counseling?)

1. Believers have sufficient resources:

a. The Word of God
b. The Holy Spirit
c. Prayer
d. Theological Training (Psalm 119:99-100)
e. Divine Wisdom

2. Believers have personal interest in others

a. A Family Love (I John 3:14; 4:7; 5:1)
b. A Family loyalty (Gal.6:10)
c. A Family responsibility (Heb.10:24-25)

3. Believers can counsel in a context that is advantageous:

a. The Local Church provides a setting for establishing relationships
b. Personal interest and genuine friendship
c. Close Proximity
d. No Cost (The average Therapist charges anywhere from $75 to $100 an hour)
e. Common spiritual interests, morals, ethics, priorities, and world view

In times of trouble where do people go in America? 20% go to "professional" counselors 29% consult their family physician 42% seek help from clergymen (Statistics from Dr. Jim Binney, Moorehead Manor, New Concord, Ohio) People still have confidence in their Pastor.

1. Beware of worldly wisdom from the ungodly.

Ps 1:1 - Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly.
(Compare I Cor.1 and 2)

2. Beware of many "Professional Counseling ministries"

"We are opposed to biblical counseling ministries that operate outside the church, those that function as separate entities inside churches, and all organizations that train biblical counselors for ministries that are visibly separated from the biblically ordained ministries of the church." (Bobgan, p.54).

"Any Biblical counseling ministry that charges a price is unbiblical"
(Bobgan, p.83) (I Cor.9:18; I Pet.5:2)

3. Beware of prescribed "Drugs" as a quick fix to emotional problems

The wealthy medical industry in America is making millions off of people who are satisfied with drugs to cover the symptoms of many problems which have their roots in deeper spiritual problems.