Counceling: Illness

Question 1

What is the role of the fall in health problems?

Answer 1

All health problems are a result of the fall

(Gen 3:15-19. Physical illness/death is universal.

Question 2

Can sin cause sickness?

Answer 2

Some sickness is a consequence of a particular sin (Psalm 38:3-11; 1 Corinthians 11:29-30)

Question 3

Is all sickness due to sin?

Answer 3

Not all sickness is due to a particular sin

(John 9:1-3; Job).

Question 4

Can God heal sickness?

Answer 4

God is sovereign over your health / illness. (Ex. 4:11; Ps. 103:3; Deut. 32:39)

a. He does not promise perfect health (Phil 1:29).
b. God heals according to His sovereign will.

c. Sometimes He answers prayers with healing
(James 5:11; 2 Kings 20:5; Mt 8:5; Isa 38:2f)

d. But not always (Phil 2:26-27; 2 Cor. 12:7 -thorn)
John 6:26

Question 5

Does God promise perfect health?

Answer 5

He does not promise perfect health (Phil 1:29).

Question 6

Does physical illness cause sin?

Answer 6

Physical illness does not cause or excuse sin

Question 7

What does it mean when we say suffering is relative

Answer 7

Suffering is relative (Pro 17:22; Pro 15:15)

Pain is a given, but suffering is a choice

Question 8

4 Principles of counseling illness

Answer 8

1. Don’t argue etiology (cause)
2. Don’t give a medical second opinion, instead concentrate on spiritual response.
3. Don’t be intimidated by a label
4. God’s Word is always relevant (teaches right response to trials)

Question 9

Counceling Process

Answer 9

1. Offer Biblical Comfort

a. ) Through taking suffering seriously (Romans 12:15 - weep with those who weep)
b. ) compassionate listening
c. ) Help them turn to prayer

2. Discern the Heart
3. Offer Biblical Hope and Ecouragement
4. Teach Biblical Goals & Principles
5. Church support
6. Homework

Question 10

Asking about their struggles

Answer 10

1. Physical problems: pain, loss of function and abilities, loss of life.
2. Financial problems
3. Relational problems
   ▪ Relatives and friends
4. Spiritual struggles
   (why God, why me, why this, why now?)
   ▪ Thinking and Attitude
   ▪ Relationship with the Lord

Question 11

Asking about illness

Answer 11

• Ask about Illness
  
  • diagnoses
  • prognosis
  • Treatment options: effects/side effects

Question 12

Discern the Heart

Answer 12

Distinguish between suffering and sin. It is not a sin to suffer. Do not rebuke expressions of suffering

Suffering requires endurance
- expressions of frustration, pain, discomfort, struggles

Sin requires repentance
- fear, anger, worry

Question 13

Offer Biblical Hope

Answer 13

Connect their story to the bigger story of the Gospel

When we suffer our world shrinks to the size of our pain and suffering

Help them see that suffering is real, and it is ok acknowledge suffering (Psalms), but that there is a whole truth out here, the truth of God that pertains to their suffering.

1. Teach them the principles of suffering
2. Remind them of the promises of God

Question 14

Biblical promises:

Answer 14

• • Jesus empathizes with you as a faithful High Priest and is able to help (Heb 2:18; 4:1-16).
• • God is your ever-present comfort and refuge (Psalm 46; 2 Cor. 1:3-11).
• • God will pour out His grace sufficient for the trial (2 Cor. 12:9; Jude 24; Heb 4:16).
• • God will be gracious to strengthen you (Isa 41:10; 1 Pet 5:10).
• • The extent of suffering is not comparable to future glory (Rms 8:17-18; 2 Cor.4).
• -Four promises in 1 Corinthians 10:13
  1. Your problem is not unique
  2. God is faithful
  3. The trial will not be too difficult
  4. God will provide the way to escape

Question 15

Biblical promises: Your Father chose you and is for you.

Answer 15

Your Father chose you and is for you. (Eph 1; Rms 5-8; John 15:17)

Eph 1:3-5

4 For he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and blameless before him in love. 5 He did this by predestining us to adoption as his legal heirs through Jesus Christ, according to the pleasure of his will—

Roms 8: 28-30

28 And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, 29 because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many
brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.

John 15:16

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that remains, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.

Question 16

Biblical Promises: Jesus empathizes with you as a faithful High Priest and is able to help

Answer 16

Jesus empathizes with you as a faithful High Priest and is able to help (Heb 2:18; 4:1-16).

Heb 2:18

18 For since he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

Heb 4:15
15 For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.

Question 17

Biblical Promises God is your ever-present comfort and refuge

Answer 17

Psalm 46;

46

1.God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging

2 Cor. 1:3-11.

excerpt…

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Question 18

Biblical Promises: God will pour out His grace sufficient for the trial (2 Cor. 12:9; Jude 24; Heb 4:16).

Answer 18

God will pour out His grace sufficient for the trial. We receive grace to endure and to not stumble, so we may remain standing without sinning.

2 Cor 12:8-10

8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Jude 1:24-25

24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Heb 4:16

16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Question 19

Biblical promises: God will be gracious to strengthen you

Answer 19

God will be gracious to strengthen you:

Isa 41:10;

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

1 Pet 5:10.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Question 20

Biblical Promises: The extent of suffering is not comparable to future glory

Answer 20

The extent of suffering is not comparable to future glory (Rms 8:17-18; 2 Cor.4)

Rom 8:17-19.

17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

2 Cor 4:16-18

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Question 21

What are the four promises in 1 Corinthians 10:13

Answer 21

13 No temptation[a] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[b] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[c] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Four promises

1. Your problem is not unique
2. God is faithful
3. The trial will not be too difficult
4. God will provide the way to escape

Question 22

Teach Biblical Goals and Principles

Answer 22

1. Encourage appropriate medial care (Don’t avoid medical care, its unbiblical as Luke was a physician)
2. Relate Biblical reasons for sickness
3. Address the Why question
4. Teach the correct response to illness: Put off lies and put on truth (2 Cor 10:5; Phil 4:8)
5. Teach biblical victory

Question 23

How to address the Why question?

Answer 23

Why me? Why now?

1. Our infinite minds cannot understand the mysteries of God. (Isa 55:8-9; Rom 11:33)
2. Things we don’t know (Job) Things we do know (John 0: 1-3; Rom 8:28)

a.) Humility lives with unanswered questions (Is 45:9)
b.)We have all we need to know (2 Peter 1:3-4)
c.) We should focus on giving adoration to God, not demanding explanations from God.
-

Question 24

What is the right way to respond to illness?

Answer 24

A right response involves honest expression of pain (Lament Psalms– 0,13,23,25,40,37,46,73,77), while remembering and acting on God’s truth.

Question 25

Biblical Victory

Answer 25

Biblical Victory is possible, even with no cure (2 Cor. 4:8-9;1 Cor 15:57; Rms 8:35)

Victory is glorifying God by:

1. Yielding to His will
2. Not controlled by constant pursuit of relief
3. Growing to be more like Christ
   a. ) In endurance
   b. ) in focus on others rather than self
4. Not grieving as those who have no hope

Question 26

Glorifying God: Yielding to his will

Answer 26

Rom 12:2

2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Question 27

Glorifying God: Growing to be like Christ in endurance

Answer 27

James 1:2-5

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5

James 1: 12

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

2 Corinthians 12:8-10

8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Hebrews 12:2-3

2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Question 28

Glorifying God: Growing to be like Christ in focus

Answer 28

Be like a Christian oyster

Romans: 8:28-29
8 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Question 29

Glorifying God: not grieving like those who have no hope

Answer 29

1 Thess 4:13

13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him

Col 1:5

5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel

Question 30

Victory is possible even when there is no cure

Answer 30

2 Corinthian 8 - 12

8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

1 Cor 15:54-55

54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”[h]

55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”[i]

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Question 31

Church involvement

Answer 31

Members have different gifts (Rms 12;1 Cor.12; Eph 4).

What are the logistically needs? Childcare, cleaning, meals, transportation to appts, etc.

When people are helped within the church, the glory goes to God (John 17:22-23).

Question 32

Church members have different gifts?

Answer 32

Romans 12:1

Cor 12

Eph 4

Question 33

When people are helped within the church the glory goes to God?

Answer 33

John 17:22-23

Question 34

What is hope?

Answer 34

Hope: a confident expectation based on God’s character and promises.

Question 35

Homework

Answer 35

How to respond to illness

1. Read 2 Corinthians 4: 6-9 three times this week.

Two columns: Suffering / Response

How could Paul look at his suffering in this way? See Verses 16-18.

How would it look in your situation to apply these thoughts?
What would change in your attitudes or actions?

2. Read Romans 8:28-29: Define each word or phrase inverse 28. How does v 29 define what
   the ‘good’ is in verse 28? How have you found hope in meditating on
   this verse? Memorize.
3. The Bible teaches that God uses the suffering His children experience for good. How do the following passages show ways God uses suffering for good?

• 2 Cor. 12:9. (Remind us of our weakness and dependence, and His sufficient power)
• James 1:1-4. (Test our faith and produce endurance and maturity)
• 2 Cor. 1:3-6. (Equip us for compassionate ministry, as we share His comfort with others)
• Heb. 12:1-15. (Expose remaining sin and discipline us as beloved children)
• Phil 3:10. (Deepen our relationship with the Lord)

• 1 Peter 1:6-7, 13. (Wean us from loving this world, that we would hope in Him and
heaven)

How can you apply these verses to your situation? What would change in your thinking or
behavior when you do?
Name 3 specific ways you will change this week in response to these truths.

4. Study God’s Attributes
   Journal: Which attributes are the most significant to you at this time? What difference does

it make in your illness that Yahweh is sovereign, wise, good, omniscient? What areas in your life require repentance and a commitment to change?

5. Assign a daily reading from “The Gospel Primer” to help them remember ‘the big
   story. ’
6. Write your own Psalm, crying out to the Lord about your situation and His character

Question 36

Psalm 73:25-26

Answer 36

Whom have I in heaven but You?

And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:25-26