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Biblical Counseling, Not just for the Professional

By Anonymous
When we hear the term "Biblical Counseling", we may only think of it in a formal, "clinical", way.  We may only think of Biblical Counseling as what happens in an office with one person as the professional counselor and the other as the counselee.  That, of course, is an example of Biblical Counseling, but I hope we have a mindset to think of Biblical Counseling in a much broader way as well.

We all desire to care for each other.  And if we give it any thought, we would agree that we desire that our care would be helpful, that our care would be hopeful, and that our care would be fruitful.  For our care to be helpful, hopeful, and fruitful -- it must be Biblical.  So, in a broader sense, Biblical Counseling is simply caring for one another in a way that is helpful, hopeful, and fruitful.  And in this way, we are all Biblical Counselors.  We are all Biblical Counselors that need equipping so that the care that we offer others would be increasingly helpful, hopeful, and fruitful.

So, what does it look like for you to grow in Biblical Counseling?  Maybe it means simply to continue to be a diligent student of God's Word.  And seeking, by the help of the Holy Spirit, to connect the wisdom of God's Word to the various situations of life.

Maybe, in addition to studying God's Word on your own, it means utilizing materials that other more mature Biblical Counselors have created, those like the counseling mini-books that are available (for FREE!) on the resource table at church.  These can help tremendously in connecting God's Word to a particular issue that you or a friend/family member/co-worker may be struggling with.

Maybe, God is calling you to a more intentional pursuit of competency in applying God's Word by attending a Biblical Counseling conference, such as the one coming up in February at Faith Church in Lafayette, Indiana. 

And for some, pursuing a certification in Biblical Counseling may be the call.  The certification process not only provides great training, but also may someday enable GCF to provide a more formal counseling ministry that would be made available to our church body and to the community.  

Whatever God is calling you to with regard to Biblical Counseling, I hope that you see that, as a believer, you are a Biblical Counselor.  

May God help all of us to be better, more Biblical, counselors that are able to care for each other in a helpful, hopeful, and fruitful way.

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