Biblical Counseling - Module 1

Welcome!

This week you are participating in the fulfillment of a vision!

You see, in the Spring 1995 we spoke together about the need for biblical counseling training in Hungary. We have

known each other for nearly 30 years. There was a time – back in the 80’s – when we were both pastors in America

and our churches were only about 50 km apart. In those days we served together at Word of Life conferences, never

dreaming that we would both be in Hungary today.But Al came in the early 90’s to be the Academic Dean of the

Biblical School here in Toalmas and I (Wayne) served as a Guest Teacher in the school each year.

During the first year of the school (1994-1995) we dreamed together that this day would come. But Al was busy with

the new school and I was still a pastor in America.

Then, a few years ago, God changed both of our lives in a big way!

Al became the director of this ministry and I began a new missionary organization to provide biblical counseling

training around the world. Al has worked with pastors all over Central Europe and I have worked with pastors around

the world. Our ministry experiences lead to us this shared conviction: While all pastors know the Bible, most do not

know how to use it to help hurting believers. Our theological convictions must be practical! So it is with real

excitement and joy that we welcome you to the first-ever multi-modular, biblical counseling training program in

Hungary. This first conference is just an introduction to the foundational principles of biblical sufficiency-based

personal ministry. Our November module will focus on how to do biblical counseling and give you a biblical

methodology. Future modules will help you apply what you’ve learned to real-life circumstances.

Each program will feature at least one Associate Teacher. Serving in that role this time is a man who has frequently

taught in the Bible School here, Joe Schenke. I know that you join us in being grateful for his sacrifice and ministry.

We look forward to serving you this week!

Soli Deo Gloria!

__________________________________ __________________________________ Konya Sandor Dr. Wayne A. Vanderwier

Executive Director, Word of Life, Hungary Executive Director, Overseas Instruction in Counseling

Tuesday, May 31

16:00 - Registration begins

18:00 - Supper

19:00 - General Session: Targeting the Source of Your Problems

(Dr. Wayne A. Vanderwier)

Wednesday, June 1

08:00 - Breakfast

08:45 - Training Session: Biblical Counseling in Historical Context (Vanderwier)

09:30 - Break

09:45 - Testimony: How Training in Biblical Counseling Has Changed the Life, Family, and Ministry of One Man (Joe Schenke) 10:30 - Break

11:00 - Training Session: Basic Questions and Answers About Biblical Counseling

(Vanderwier)

11:50 - Break

12:10 - Training Session: What Makes Biblical Counseling Biblical? (Schenke)

13:00 - Lunch

15:00 - Training Session: The Definition of Biblical Counseling (Vanderwier)

15:50 - Break

16:10 - Training Session: Living By Truth Instead Of By Feelings (Schenke)

17:00 - Break

17:20 - Question and Answer Session

18:00 - Supper

19:00 - General Session: Testing the Wisdom of God (Schenke)

Thursday, June 2

08:00 - Breakfast

08:45 - Training Session: Psychology: What It Is and What It Isn’t (Vanderwier)

09:30 - Break

09:45 - Testimony: How Training in Biblical Counseling Is Changing the Life and Ministry of One Woman (Mónika Rákossy) 10:30 - Break

11:00 - Training Session: Them and Us: Comparing “People-Helping” Systems

(Vanderwier)

11:50 - Break

12:10 - Training Session: The Myths of Psychology and the Issue of Compatibility

(Schenke)

13:00 - Lunch

15:00 - Training Session: The Medical Model: When Sin Is Called Sickness (Vanderwier)

15:50 - Break

16:10 - Training Session: Redemptive Communication (Schenke)

17:00 - Break

17:20 - Question and Answer Session

18:00 - Supper

19:00 - General Session: Finding Shelter in the Time of Storm (Vanderwier)

Friday, June 3

08:00 - Breakfast

08:45 - Training Session: Understanding Biblical Forgiveness (Schenke)

09:30 - Break

09:45 - Training Session: Answering the Critics of Biblical Counseling (Vanderwier)

10:30 - Break

11:00 - Training Session: Where Do We Go From Here? (Vanderwier)

12:30 – Lunch

Tuesday, May 31

Targeting the Source of Your Problems

Dr. Wayne A. Vanderwier

Introduction:

Do you enjoy/appreciate “how to” books?

The Book of James in the New Testament is a veritable “How To Handbook” on the Christian

life!

1) Recognize the source of human struggles, the sinful human heart (v. 1-2)

2) Learn the results of your sinful desires (v. 3-5)

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3) Solve life’s problems at their source - your heart (v. 6-10)

Using grace...

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Wednesday, June 1 Biblical Counseling in Historical Context


Introduction:

How did we get here?

Questions and Answers The Problem: The Principle: A little history lesson …

… “jurisdictional conflict”

The Solution:

Wednesday, June 1 Basic Questions and Answers About Biblical Counseling


Q: #1 - When and why did counseling begin?

First, in the garden … (Gen. 1:28)

Again, in the garden … (Gen. 3:1)

Q: #2 - What is biblical counseling? Key Text - Other verses - Acts 20:31; 1 Cor. 4:14; Col. 1:28; 3:16; 1 Thess. 5:12; 5:14; 2 Thess. 3:15

A simple definition:

A more complete definition:

Q: #3 - Who should do biblical counseling? (Gal. 6:1-2)

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Q: #4 - Why is this ministry so very important? (Col. 1:28)

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Q: #5 - So, what does all of this mean for you and for your church?

* You must continue the life-long process of personal spiritual growth (Eph. 4:22-24)

* You must prepare to do personal ministry (2 Tim. 2:15)

* You must resist the temptation to be a busybody (2 Thess. 3:11)

* You must maintain - and allow others to maintain - appropriate confidentiality (2

Cor.12:20)

* You must support others - including your church leaders - who are doing and teaching

this kind of personal ministry (Heb. 13:7,17)

Wednesday, June 1 What Makes Biblical Counseling Biblical?

Joe Schenke

Introduction:

It is Counseling that Regards:

1) The Bible as Foundational

2) The Bible as Sufficient (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3-5 & c.f., 20-21)

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction,

for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for

every good work.

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3) The Bible as the counselor’s main diagnostic tool in the counseling.

Psalm 19:7-11 Hebrews 4:12

4) The “The Greatest Commandment” as the key issue (Matthew 22:36-40)

a. Love ______________

b. Love ______________

5) The Very Nature of Who Man is as a Creation of God, Desperately Needing Counsel

a. ___________________________________________________(Genesis 1:26-30)

b. ___________________________________________________(Genesis 3:1-7)

c. ___________________________________________________(Genesis 3:9-20; 4:1-15)

d. As a result of this foreign counsel the world is subject toward a tendency to (Gen. 4)

6) Sin as a primary problem that needs to be addressed in counseling.

Sin from three sources:

a. ___________________________________________________(Romans 3:23)

b. ___________________________________________________(Luke 17:3-4; Eph. 4:32)

c. ___________________________________(Romans 1:26-32;5:12; 8:19-22; 1 John 2:17)

7) The Gospel of Christ as the answer to our most basic problems.

Bad ___________ - ____________

(Galatians 3:10-13; Romans 3:24, 25; 5:8,9; 8:1; 10:3)

Bad ___________ - __________ _____________

(Jeremiah 17:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 1:21; 3:5-7)

Bad ___________ - ___________ ____ __________

(John 8:38-44; Acts 26:18; 1 John 1:19; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2; 6:12)

8) Clearly defined goals toward which it is aiming

a.

b.

9) The Holy Spirit as the primary counselor in the counseling process:

10) Effective Biblical counseling functions within the context of the “one-anothering”

relationships of the local Bible-believing church.

Wednesday, June 1 The Definition of Biblical Counseling Dr. Wayne A. Vanderwier

Introduction:

There are actually many ways to “define” biblical counseling

1) This kind of counseling ...

“ ... that action or process ... ” (Matt. 18:15-17)


“ ... concerned ... lovingly ... ” (Eph 4:15)


“ ... believer (or group of believers) ... ” (John 21:15-17 / Acts 18:24-26; Matt. 18:16 / 1

Cor. 1:10-11; Gal 1:6;

Matt. 18:17)


“ ... confronts ... ”

(Acts 20:31; 1 Cor. 4:14; Col. 1:28; 3:16; 1 Thess. 5:14)


“ ... Scripturally ... ” (2 Tim. 3:16-17)


“ ... instructs ... ” (John 17:17)


“ ... a (sinning) fellow-believer ... ” (Matt. 28:19; Gal. 6:1-2)


“ ... fellow-believer ... ” (Rom. 15:14)


“ ... for the purpose of affecting God-glorifying ... ” (1 Cor. 10:31; Matt. 5:16)


“ ... change ... ” (Eph. 4:17-24; Gal. 6:1-2)

Wednesday, June 1 Living By Truth Instead Of By Feelings Joe Schenke

Introduction:

How to help counselees put off feeling orientated living

and put on truth centered living.

Ephesians 4:17-24

Understanding Emotions and the Nature of the Heart

1. Understanding the Language of Feelings

A. Experience: Sense Perceptions

B. Expressions of Emotions

C. Thoughts, Beliefs, Attitudes

D. Desires

2. Feeling orientated living is the central motivational problem in people.

3. According to Scriptures “feelings” are actually the by-product of thoughts and/or

behavior.

John 13:17 John 15:11 Psalm 42:5 Genesis 4:6

4. While many people may endure very similar circumstances they also respond differently.

5. Emotions can be changed.

Understanding the Heart/Emotions and Biblical Change

What I believe. What I feel. What I do.

God-focus vs. self-focus

Romans 12:1-3; 13:14

2 Corinthian 10:5

Ephesians 4:22-24

Philippians 4:8

Circumstances

THINKING EMOTIONS BEHAVIOR

Godly vs. Ungodly Godly vs. Ungodly Godly vs. Ungodly

John 13:17

Wednesday, June 1

General Session: Testing the Wisdom of God

Joe Schenke

Introduction:

1 Kings 3:5-12; 11:1-10

1. True wisdom begins with the worship of God.

2. True wisdom is available to the humble of heart.

3. True wisdom is best understood as a gift from God.

If this what Solomon had, what happened?

If you trust God’s Word you must not test God’s Wisdom.

If you awaken sinful desires, it is unlikely you’ll be able to control them.

If you know the right thing to do, don’t assume you’ll do the right thing.

Thursday, June 2

Psychology: What It Is and What It Isn’t


Introduction:

This is a big field of study!

What is the definition of psychology?

What it is …

… by etymology

Psychology =

Psychometry? =

Anthropometry? =

… by current definitions

… by popular usage

What it isn’t …

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So what should be the attitude of Biblicists toward psychology?

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Thursday, June 2

Them and Us: Comparing “People-Helping” Systems

Joe Schenke

Introduction:

Sometimes it’s good to know what the “other guy” thinks

Issue Classic Psychotherapy (First Force Psych.)

Behaviorism (Second Force Psych.)

Client-Centered Therapy (Third Force Psych.)

Biblical Counseling

Basis

Psychodynamics Observable behavior Humanism Bible

Recognized Practitioners

Man

Problem

Responsibility

Guilt

Helper

Thursday, June 2

The Myths of Psychology and the Issue of Compatibility


Introduction:

Popular psychology has become a fixture in our society, and its aphorisms, and half-truths permeate

our everyday existence. In this session we confront some widely held myths of popular psychology.

1. The Myth That Psychology Is Scientific

Does psychoanalysis use the scientific method?

2. The Myth That Psychology Is Effective

Is psychoanalysis better than friendship

3. The Myth That Psychology Is Motivated By Compassion

Is psychoanalysis free?

4. The Myth of Psychological Labels

Are the terms in psychoanalysis helpful?

5. The Myth That Psychology Is Trustworthy

Do psychoanalytical theories change?

6. The Myth That Psychology Can Heal The Past

Can psychoanalysis replace guilt with blame?

Are psychological theory and biblical theology compatible?

Humanistic-based psychological theory

Biblically-based ministry

Practice

Source of Authority

Presuppositions

Theorist/Therapist (Title of Helper)

Goal

Thursday, June 2

The Medical Model: When Sin Is Called Sickness


Introduction:

What does the phrase “mental illness” imply?

When applying the medical model to “inner man” issues, here are some presuppositions:

1.

2.

3.

So, a medical problem requires treatment based on the medical paradigm

How is a “mental illness” diagnosed?

Introduction:

1.

2.

3.

4.

Methods of personality testing

1.

2.

Problems with personality testing

1.

2.

3.

Summary:

But we just NEED to classify people!

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Thursday, June 2

Redemptive Communication

Ephesians 4:17,25-32

Joe Schenke

Introduction:

Is there more to communication than just getting your message across?

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1. Speak _______________________ in Love (v.17, 25)

2. Speak _______________________ in Time (v.26)

3. Speak _______________________ to Build up (vv 29-30)

4. Speak _______________________ to Forgive (vv.31-32)

Thursday, June 2

Finding Shelter in the Time of Storm


Introduction:

Got trouble?

Prologue: Living in the environment of God (v.1-2)

Life in a broken world (v. 3-4)

Purpose ... Presence ... Privilege ... Protection ... Praise (v. 4-6)

Problems! (v. 7-12)

Restoration approaches ... and what to do in the meantime. (v. 13-14)

Friday, June 3

Understanding Biblical Forgiveness

Joe Schenke

Introduction:

Is forgiveness feeling, an emotional state of being or a conscious choice involving the will?

1. What is forgiveness anyway?

a. Forgiveness is ______________________________________________

b. Forgiveness is a ________________________________(Isaiah 43:25; Jeremiah

31:24)

c. Forgiveness is _______________________________________ (2 Corinthians 5:18-

19)

d. Forgiveness is __________________

i. ___________________________(Matthew 5:21-25; Acts 24:16)

ii. ___________________________ (Matthew 6:12-14; Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13)

e. Forgiveness is _____________________ (Colossians 3:12-14)

2. What forgiveness is not:

3. Why should we forgive?

a. (Colossians 3:13)

b. Sin requires forgiveness if reconciliation is going to occur.

c. (Ephesians 4:32)

d. (2 Cor. 5:18-19)

4. Why don’t we forgive?

a.

b.

c. The joy of knowing His forgiveness in your life has faded.

5. How should we forgive? (Colossians 3:13)

a. ______________________________________________________________(Isaiah 53:3 ff)

b. _____________________________________________________________(Luke 6:27-37)

c. _____________________________________________________________(1 Peter 5:10)

6. How to ask for forgiveness

What I did was wrong. It was ________.

I should have_________.

I have asked God to forgive, me will you?

With God’s help I am going to change.

7. Questions to ask a counselee

Have you ever been hurt very deeply? What happened?

What is your relationship to this person right now?

Who would you least like to be with? Why?

Do you find it easy or hard to forgive someone who has wronged you.

How do you ask someone’s forgiveness when you’ve done them wrong?

When was the last time you asked someone’s forgiveness? What had happened?

If you wrong someone and ask God’s forgiveness, do you believe you need to ask their

forgiveness, too?

Friday, June 3

Answering the Critics of Biblical Counseling


Introduction:

This new “Battle for the Bible” is being fought in colleges, graduates schools, seminaries,

churches, missions agencies, and denominations around the world.

A critic might say …

There isn’t any real difference between biblical counseling and Christian psychology

I’ve heard that biblical counselors are unsympathetic and mean-spirited

Biblical counseling is simplistic

Biblical counselors refuse to use any information from science and psychology

Biblical counseling has nothing to offer non-Christians who come for counseling

Friday, June 3

Where Do We Go From Here?


Introduction:

By now you know that this isn’t just “a conference”

Our Strategic Objective:

To assist in the initial creation and continuing development of national biblical counseling and

certifying organizations

Some day …

How will this be accomplished?

What about new people?

Yes, if …

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In the meantime …

Projects for Growth

1. Read and study the Book of Ephesians.

List at least ten personal applications, things that challenged and changed you.

List ten sections (passages of at least several verses) that could be developed into a

sermon or small group lesson.

2. Memorize Ephesians 4:22-24

3. Read Counseling: How To Counsel Biblically by John MacArthur

Write a one-page reflective paper on any five chapters of the book. In these

response papers, aim for thoughtful, concise and precise writing, the product of

working and reworking your thoughts. Don’t just summarize the readings. Give

your response, i.e., comments or applications or disagreements or implications or

illustrations or questions, etc. Read well, and distill your thoughts into a carefully

articulated paper.

Documents

Biblical Counseling - Module 1