Counseling: Key elements 5 & 6 - Giving Instruction, Assign Homework Flashcards
Is Biblical counseling directive or non-directive
Directive
Biblical instruction
- Based on the Bible
- Not mixed with man’s wisdom
- Instruction must be accurate
- Instruction must be appropriate
- Assign homework
What are the 4 key areas is scripture good for?
teaching: to orientate our thinking in the right way (recognition)
reproof: to convict us of our sins so that we may confess (confession)
correction: To help us get back on track (repentance)
righteousness: Discipline our thinking and behaviour in a way so we can live the future of our lives differently than the past of our lives (renewal/regeneration)
2 Tim. 3:16-17
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Why should we not mix our teaching with the “wisdom of man”
Col 2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.
What does it mean when we say that instruction needs to be two-factored
It needs to focus both on putting off and putting on
What does it mean to clearly differentiate between God’s directives and man’s suggestions
While giving instruction we have to make sure that we don’t try to pass off our personal advice as God’s directive
How can we evaluate if our instruction is appropriate?
- Is it appropriate to the counselee’s problem
- Is it appropriate to the counselee’s spiritual condition? (Saved/Unsaved)(babe/mature)(weak/rebellious/faint-hearted)
3 Appropriate to the counselee’s learning style
What passage tells us that we need to differentiate our instruction based on the spiritual condition of the person we are teaching?
1 Thess 5:14
And we urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men.
Where should we start with non-believers
the Gospel of John was specifically written for new believers
John 20:30-31:
“30 Now Jesus performed many other miraculous signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
Why assign homework
- It puts the emphasis on doing
- It brings hope and anticipation of change
- It puts responsibility for change on the counselee
- Talk alone is counterproductive to lasting, biblical change
- Aids the dehabitation/rehabitation process
- Assists in discovering quickly who is serious about changing
What scripture tells us that we should put the emphasis on “doing” the word of God!
Matt 19:21-22
Jesus said to him “if you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieved; for he was one who owned much property
The man in this story was only willing to talk about being different, but not willing to change things to be different
Like Jesus, we need to encourage counselees to apply God’s word
Homework procedures
1 Begin with the first session
- Keep record of homework given
- Be specific
- Address thinking as well as behavior
- Review and discuss homework at following sessions.
what 6 things should be included in Homework?
Start with the end in mind, what do you want them to look like on graduation day? Then work backward from that goal.
- Selected Scripture Reading practice to help habituate the counselee in reading the bible in a meaningful way
- Meaningful Scripture memory
- Reading material
- “Doing” that points toward godly conduct
- Church attendance and note-taking
- Prayer
