BCDA

SoCal Training: An Introduction to Biblical Counseling

September 23, 2011

AN INTRODUCTION TO BIBLICAL COUNSELING

DR. JOHN D. STREET
I. A DEFINITION OF BIBLICAL COUNSELING
A. What Biblical Counseling is not:
1. Biblical Counseling is not an autonomous ministry.

2. Biblical Counseling is not an activity reserved for the experts.

Far too many have given counseling a Gnostic flavor. We are advocating a model
any believer, willing to be like the Bereans, can follow.

3. Biblical Counseling is not an optional ministry.

a) Acts 20:31
b) Romans 15:14
c) Colossians 1:28
4. Biblical Counseling is not an entity separate from discipleship.

5. Biblical Counseling is not an activity that is insensitive or uncaring.

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BCDA SoCal Training: An Introduction to Biblical Counseling

September 23, 2011

B. What Biblical Counseling is: Col. 1:28-29

1. Biblical Counseling discerns desires, thinking, and behavior that God wants to change.

2. Biblical Counseling uses God's Word, by the Holy Spirit, to change desires, thinking, and
behavior.

3. Biblical Counseling seeks the sanctification of the Christian (into Christ-likeness) for the
glory of God.

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An Introduction to
Biblical Counseling
Dr. John D. Street
Chair, MABC Graduate Program
The Master s College & Seminary

Introduction to Biblical Counseling

I.

A Definition of Biblical Counseling

A.

What Biblical Counseling is not:

1.

2.

Biblical counseling is not an autonomous

ministry.
Biblical counseling is not an activity
reserved for the experts.

Introduction to Biblical Counseling

I.

A Definition of Biblical Counseling

A.

What Biblical Counseling is not:

1.

2.

3.

Biblical counseling is not an autonomous

ministry.
Biblical counseling is not an activity
reserved for the experts.
Biblical counseling is not an optional
ministry.

Acts 20:31; Romans 15:14; Colossians 1:28

I. A Definition of Biblical Counseling

4.

Biblical counseling is not an entity separate from

discipleship. (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
1)
2)

5.

Leading them to Christ

Leading them to Christ-likeness
a. Loving them (14)
b. Admonishing them (14)
c. Setting an example (15)
d. Teaching them (17)
e. Reproducing them (17)
f. Discipling them when necessary (18-21)

Biblical counseling is not a activity that is

insensitive or uncaring.

I. A Definition of Biblical Counseling

B.

What Biblical Counseling is:

1.

Biblical counseling discerns desires, thinking and

behavior that God wants to change.

2.

Biblical counseling uses God s Word, by the

Holy Spirit, to change desires, thinking and
behavior

3.

Biblical counseling seeks the sanctification of the

Christian (into Christ-likeness) for the glory of
God.

I. A Definition of Biblical Counseling

4.

Biblical counseling is nouthetic (nouqetevw)

KJV

NASV

NIV

Acts 20:31

warn

admonish

warn

Rom. 15:14

admonish

admonish

instruct

1 Cor. 4:14

warn

admonish

warn

Col. 1:28

warning

admonishing

admonishing

Col. 3:16

admonish

admonish

admonish

1 Thess. 5:12

admonish

instruct

Admonish

1 Thess. 5:14

warn

admonish

Warn

2 Thess. 3:15

admonish

admonish

warn