Discipleship Counseling Research Paper
Discipleship Counseling Within The Helps Ministry Violet L. Modiri Liberty University
Abstract
This paper will discuss and explore the Biblical basis for a helps ministry and build a general framework for understanding the basis for discipleship counseling. In addition, the paper will establish an order of importance pertaining to the vital need of discipleship counseling within a helps ministry.
The helping ministry gives special attention to the needs of hurting people through the message that God cares about people and calls us to serve him and his people. This fact will be demonstrated through scripture and from a variety of established counselors currently practicing in the helps ministry.
This paper also will present statistics that will support the tough issues today’s generation is facing in what would be considered in today’s world as the worst of times. It will lastly present the roles of God, the encourager (Discipleship Counselor), and the counselee as it has been presented in the book Discipleship Counseling written by Dr. Neil T. Anderson.
Discipleship Counseling Within the Helps Ministry
Christians can live a free and productive life in Christ however the Church itself is in a dior need of individuals who are experienced in the discipleship process. These individuals …show more content…
must be willing to allow God to use them for such a purpose. Dr. Neil T. Anderson gives a complete guide to helping others walk in freedom and grow in Christ in his book Discipleship Counseling. “Discipleship counseling is an attempt to meet people where they are and help them resolve their personal and spiritual conflicts so that they can be established alive and free in Christ”(Anderson, Dr., 2003, p. 14).
Anderson explains we cannot be simplistic or one dimensional about this freedom, and he offers a wholistic answer by suggesting Christian leaders must learn to interface with Christian disciplines other than their own. Dr. Anderson explains we need to understand how the body, soul, and spirit function together and how we were intended to relate to God and to each other (Anderson, Dr., 2003, p. 14).
Statistics reveal people are hurting and searching in today’s world. Dr. Tim Clinton states “Yet, at the same time, these are the best of time to reach out to hurting people with the truth and ministry of Jesus Christ” (Clinton, Dr., Answering God’s Call to Care).
In the book Discipleship Counseling, Dr. Anderson explains Discipleship Counseling in theory by covering subjects such as biblical balance, mental health, how to integrate theology and psychology, responsibility, sanctification, counseling in Christ, and counseling the spiritually oppressed. Dr. Anderson gives in great detail examples of discipleship counseling in practice by using the steps to Freedom in Christ, a book he also authored. He concludes his vision of what a discipleship ministry should look like and how it can be started in your church. Lastly he gives ample resources in which to start the journey.
Biblical Basis For Discipleship Counseling
The Bible clearly states “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5, KJV). This scripture alone predicts a biblical basis for “Discipleship Counseling” within the Ministry of Helps in today’s
world.
Statistics today certainly compare to what is being described in this particular scripture. 27 million kids (39% of kids under age 18) live in a house without a dad, as many as 1 out of 4 children are sexually abused, in a congregation of 500 people, as many as 50 will be sex addicts. 20% of Americans will, at sometime during their life, experience clinical depression; and at least 50% who marry will divorce (Clinton, Dr, Answering God’s Call to Care). The list goes on and on, and is an primitive example for the need of the “Discipleship Counseling” in the “Helps Ministry”.
What is the “Ministry of Helps?” Dr. Bill Bailey believes “The Ministry of Helps is a scriptural thing”, (Bailey, D.B, The Ministry of Helps in the Local Church). “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues”(1 Cor 12:28, KJV)
The Greek definition for the word “Helps” used in this scripture is “antilepsis”, and means “rendering practical aid and support” (Bailey, Dr.). In the book Discipleship Counseling Dr. Neil Anderson explains three important roles in discipleship counseling.
God’s Role
God is ultimately the one in charge. As a counselor we must realize nothing will interfere more with therapy than trying to play the role of God in someone else’s life. In essence a counselor must realize we are not the creator, we cannot save ourselves, we should not try to be someone else’s conscience, and we cannot change another person (Anderson, Dr., p. 98).
Anderson states the key to successful ministry is to know God and understand His ways. Dr. Anderson places an emphasis on the words of the prophet Jeremiah. “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord” (Jer 9:23-24, KJV).
It is the Spirit of God and His word that should lead the counselor in every session. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26, KJV). The Enrichment Journal states “The Holy Spirit is a teacher. He will not only bring to our remembrance the teachings of Christ, but He will also bring to our remembrance things we need to recall about our counselees” (enrichmentjournal.org).
The Role of an Encourager (Discipleship Counselor)
As a discipleship counselor it is first important to know who you are in Christ. Knowing and practicing the truth about the birth, life, and death of Christ will help with the establishment of knowing who you are in Christ. Christians should also know that apart from Christ they can do nothing that will last for eternity. The process of integrating God into counseling is what sets discipleship counseling apart from secular counseling. “Discipleship counseling is not just a technique we learn; it is an encounter with God, who is the wonderful counselor” (Anderson, Dr., 2003, p 110.). There are many things a counselor may face they do not know or understand, but as a Christian counselor to know the Lord and the power of the holy spirit is what will sustain both you and the counselee in the process.
An excellent place to start is the book Search for Significance. “As a counselor you must know your value is not dependent on your ability to earn the fickle acceptance of people, but rather, its true source is the love and acceptance of God” (McGee, Robert, Search for Significance, p. 11).
Dr. Anderson explains encouragers are to be dependent on God for direction and wisdom in order to bring lasting change to the counselee through the means of repentance and believing the truth (Anderson, Dr., 2003, p. 199). A key factor for the encourager is his/her intimate relationship with God. As a counselee your primary goal is to help but as a believer Dr. Anderson promotes we need to understand God is the manufacturer and the Bible is the manufacturer’s handbook; and if we study if, we can do incredible things. Some other responsibilities of an encourager as described by Dr. Anderson are as follows: we must be the Lord’s bond servants, we must not be quarrelsome, we must be kind to everyone, we must be able to teach, we must be patient, and as an encourager we need to be gentle (Anderson, Dr., 2003, Chapter 4).
The Role of the Counselee
Christian Counsel should seek to discover a person, family, or group’s position in relations to God, self and others. It is an important role of a counselee to be as open and honest about why they think they need your help. “If any lasting change is going to take place in their lives, it will be directly related to what they have chosen to believe and do” (Anderson, Dr, 2003, p 103).
Of course not all counselees will know specifically why they need help. That is why it would be wise to use the steps Freedom in Christ as a guideline to draw such information out of them. Anderson gives the scripture of James 5:13-16 as an all inclusive example of what a counselee’s responsibility is in the discipleship process. “A responsibility and or principle of the counselee is to pray for themselves. Some counselees may not see prayer as being effective in their life. Anderson uses Psalms 66:18 which states “If I regard iniquity in my heart the lord will not hear me”, to explain why a counselee may be reluctant in this practice.
A second important role or principle of a counselee is assuming the responsibility for their own spiritual well being. In order to assume personal spiritual being, a counselee should realize his/her sin. Dr. Anderson states “Who sets you free is Christ; what sets you free is your response to Him in repentance and faith” (Anderson, Dr., Freedom in Christ, 2001, pg 5). This role is sometimes the missing ingredient in which a counselee attains true freedom.
The third role or principle comes with the confession of the truth. “Confession is an honest and open agreement with God, and that has to come before healing” (Anderson, Dr., 2003, p. 104). “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (Jas 5:16, KJV)
There are many more responsibilities of a counselee however these are few of the most important to get the counselee heading in the right direction of eternal healing.
Conclusion
“The essence of Christian Counseling, as are all things Christian, is hidden in the person of Christ” (Clinton & Ohlschlager, 2005, Caring for People God’s Way, pg 29). “Hopefully, there is an intimate relationship between the encourager and God. What remains to be established is a right relationship between the encourager and the counselee as well as a right relationship between the counselee and God” (Anderson, Dr., 2003, p 97). Anderson explains all three elements have an important role to play. Each role cannot be played by either of the other two without hindering the process.
As a believer one might conclude from just watching their local news that we are experiencing the times of which 2 Timothy 3 speaks. Thank God for the salvation He has provided for us through Christ. There is evidence of hurting people everywhere. Jesus said “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that beleiveth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that beleiveth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”(Mark 16:15-18, KJV).
Aside from Jesus’ words the call to Christian Counseling is best put by Dr. Tim Clinton “Christian counseling is wonderful, maddening, joyous work. Those called to walk with and serve the hurting are sometimes overwhelmed, often confused, and occasionally avoidant of walking committedly in this calling. The wonder of it all is that Jesus sends the Spirit- all the time and in every way- to comfort us and to set us free of ourselves”(Clinton & Ohlschlager, 2005, pg 23). I have great excitement to join the many individuals currently working within this ministry. The excitement is stirred up in seeing how God works.
References
Anderson, D. N. (2003). Discipleship Counseling. Ventura: Regal Books.
Anderson, N. (2001). The Steps to Freedom in Christ. The Steps to Freedom in Christ (Second edition ed., p. 5). USA: Gospel Light.
Bailey, D. B. (n.d.). The Ministry of Helps in the Local Church. Dr. Bill Bailey.NET :: Dr. Bill Bailey 's NETwork of Video & Audio Netcasts :: Citrix Consulting, VMware Consulting, Linux/Apache/MySQL/PHP Web Hosting, Web Hosting for Non-Profit Organizations and Ministries. Retrieved June 18, 2011, from http://www.drbillbailey.net/baileyb/helps.htm
Clinton, Dr. (Producer). (2011) Answering God’s Call to Care [Video presentation]. Retrieved from www.luonline.com, Biblical Counseling, BICO 101 [Curriculm].
Clinton, T., & Ohlschlager, G. (2005). The Person of the Counselor. Caring For People God 's Way (p. 23 & 29). Nashville: AACC & Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Dobbins, R. D. (n.d.). Making Christian Counseling Christ-Centered: The Role of the Holy Spirit in Pastoral Counseling. Enrichment Journal. Retrieved June 18, 2011, from http://enrichmentjournal.ag.org/201003/201003_028_Christ-Cent.cfm
McGee, R. (1998). The Light Comes On. The Search For Significance (p. 11). Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc.
The Scofield Reference Bible (King James Version ed., p. 1136). (1945). john 14:26. new york: Oxford University Press.
The Scofield Reference Bible (King James Version ed., p. 1223). (1945). 1 Corinthians 12:28. New York: Oxford University Press.
The Scofield Reference Bible (King James Version ed., p. 783). (1945). Jeremiah 9:23-24. New York: Oxford University Press.
The Scofield Reference Bible (King James Version ed., p. 1310). (1945). James 5:16. New York: Oxford University Press.
The Scofield Reference Bible (King James Version ed., p. 1281). (1945). 2 Timothy, Chapter 3. New York: Oxford University Press.
The Scofield Reference Bible (King James Version ed., p. 1068). (1945). Mark 16:15-18. New York: Oxford University Press.
Abstract
This paper will discuss and explore the Biblical basis for a helps ministry and build a general framework for understanding the basis for discipleship counseling. In addition, the paper will establish an order of importance pertaining to the vital need of discipleship counseling within a helps ministry.
The helping ministry gives special attention to the needs of hurting people through the message that God cares about people and calls us to serve him and his people. This fact will be demonstrated through scripture and from a variety of established counselors currently practicing in the helps ministry.
This paper also will present statistics that will support the tough issues today’s generation is facing in what would be considered in today’s world as the worst of times. It will lastly present the roles of God, the encourager (Discipleship Counselor), and the counselee as it has been presented in the book Discipleship Counseling written by Dr. Neil T. Anderson.
Discipleship Counseling Within the Helps Ministry
Christians can live a free and productive life in Christ however the Church itself is in a dior need of individuals who are experienced in the discipleship process. These individuals …show more content…
must be willing to allow God to use them for such a purpose. Dr. Neil T. Anderson gives a complete guide to helping others walk in freedom and grow in Christ in his book Discipleship Counseling. “Discipleship counseling is an attempt to meet people where they are and help them resolve their personal and spiritual conflicts so that they can be established alive and free in Christ”(Anderson, Dr., 2003, p. 14).
Anderson explains we cannot be simplistic or one dimensional about this freedom, and he offers a wholistic answer by suggesting Christian leaders must learn to interface with Christian disciplines other than their own. Dr. Anderson explains we need to understand how the body, soul, and spirit function together and how we were intended to relate to God and to each other (Anderson, Dr., 2003, p. 14).
Statistics reveal people are hurting and searching in today’s world. Dr. Tim Clinton states “Yet, at the same time, these are the best of time to reach out to hurting people with the truth and ministry of Jesus Christ” (Clinton, Dr., Answering God’s Call to Care).
In the book Discipleship Counseling, Dr. Anderson explains Discipleship Counseling in theory by covering subjects such as biblical balance, mental health, how to integrate theology and psychology, responsibility, sanctification, counseling in Christ, and counseling the spiritually oppressed. Dr. Anderson gives in great detail examples of discipleship counseling in practice by using the steps to Freedom in Christ, a book he also authored. He concludes his vision of what a discipleship ministry should look like and how it can be started in your church. Lastly he gives ample resources in which to start the journey.
Biblical Basis For Discipleship Counseling
The Bible clearly states “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5, KJV). This scripture alone predicts a biblical basis for “Discipleship Counseling” within the Ministry of Helps in today’s
world.
Statistics today certainly compare to what is being described in this particular scripture. 27 million kids (39% of kids under age 18) live in a house without a dad, as many as 1 out of 4 children are sexually abused, in a congregation of 500 people, as many as 50 will be sex addicts. 20% of Americans will, at sometime during their life, experience clinical depression; and at least 50% who marry will divorce (Clinton, Dr, Answering God’s Call to Care). The list goes on and on, and is an primitive example for the need of the “Discipleship Counseling” in the “Helps Ministry”.
What is the “Ministry of Helps?” Dr. Bill Bailey believes “The Ministry of Helps is a scriptural thing”, (Bailey, D.B, The Ministry of Helps in the Local Church). “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues”(1 Cor 12:28, KJV)
The Greek definition for the word “Helps” used in this scripture is “antilepsis”, and means “rendering practical aid and support” (Bailey, Dr.). In the book Discipleship Counseling Dr. Neil Anderson explains three important roles in discipleship counseling.
God’s Role
God is ultimately the one in charge. As a counselor we must realize nothing will interfere more with therapy than trying to play the role of God in someone else’s life. In essence a counselor must realize we are not the creator, we cannot save ourselves, we should not try to be someone else’s conscience, and we cannot change another person (Anderson, Dr., p. 98).
Anderson states the key to successful ministry is to know God and understand His ways. Dr. Anderson places an emphasis on the words of the prophet Jeremiah. “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord” (Jer 9:23-24, KJV).
It is the Spirit of God and His word that should lead the counselor in every session. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26, KJV). The Enrichment Journal states “The Holy Spirit is a teacher. He will not only bring to our remembrance the teachings of Christ, but He will also bring to our remembrance things we need to recall about our counselees” (enrichmentjournal.org).
The Role of an Encourager (Discipleship Counselor)
As a discipleship counselor it is first important to know who you are in Christ. Knowing and practicing the truth about the birth, life, and death of Christ will help with the establishment of knowing who you are in Christ. Christians should also know that apart from Christ they can do nothing that will last for eternity. The process of integrating God into counseling is what sets discipleship counseling apart from secular counseling. “Discipleship counseling is not just a technique we learn; it is an encounter with God, who is the wonderful counselor” (Anderson, Dr., 2003, p 110.). There are many things a counselor may face they do not know or understand, but as a Christian counselor to know the Lord and the power of the holy spirit is what will sustain both you and the counselee in the process.
An excellent place to start is the book Search for Significance. “As a counselor you must know your value is not dependent on your ability to earn the fickle acceptance of people, but rather, its true source is the love and acceptance of God” (McGee, Robert, Search for Significance, p. 11).
Dr. Anderson explains encouragers are to be dependent on God for direction and wisdom in order to bring lasting change to the counselee through the means of repentance and believing the truth (Anderson, Dr., 2003, p. 199). A key factor for the encourager is his/her intimate relationship with God. As a counselee your primary goal is to help but as a believer Dr. Anderson promotes we need to understand God is the manufacturer and the Bible is the manufacturer’s handbook; and if we study if, we can do incredible things. Some other responsibilities of an encourager as described by Dr. Anderson are as follows: we must be the Lord’s bond servants, we must not be quarrelsome, we must be kind to everyone, we must be able to teach, we must be patient, and as an encourager we need to be gentle (Anderson, Dr., 2003, Chapter 4).
The Role of the Counselee
Christian Counsel should seek to discover a person, family, or group’s position in relations to God, self and others. It is an important role of a counselee to be as open and honest about why they think they need your help. “If any lasting change is going to take place in their lives, it will be directly related to what they have chosen to believe and do” (Anderson, Dr, 2003, p 103).
Of course not all counselees will know specifically why they need help. That is why it would be wise to use the steps Freedom in Christ as a guideline to draw such information out of them. Anderson gives the scripture of James 5:13-16 as an all inclusive example of what a counselee’s responsibility is in the discipleship process. “A responsibility and or principle of the counselee is to pray for themselves. Some counselees may not see prayer as being effective in their life. Anderson uses Psalms 66:18 which states “If I regard iniquity in my heart the lord will not hear me”, to explain why a counselee may be reluctant in this practice.
A second important role or principle of a counselee is assuming the responsibility for their own spiritual well being. In order to assume personal spiritual being, a counselee should realize his/her sin. Dr. Anderson states “Who sets you free is Christ; what sets you free is your response to Him in repentance and faith” (Anderson, Dr., Freedom in Christ, 2001, pg 5). This role is sometimes the missing ingredient in which a counselee attains true freedom.
The third role or principle comes with the confession of the truth. “Confession is an honest and open agreement with God, and that has to come before healing” (Anderson, Dr., 2003, p. 104). “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (Jas 5:16, KJV)
There are many more responsibilities of a counselee however these are few of the most important to get the counselee heading in the right direction of eternal healing.
Conclusion
“The essence of Christian Counseling, as are all things Christian, is hidden in the person of Christ” (Clinton & Ohlschlager, 2005, Caring for People God’s Way, pg 29). “Hopefully, there is an intimate relationship between the encourager and God. What remains to be established is a right relationship between the encourager and the counselee as well as a right relationship between the counselee and God” (Anderson, Dr., 2003, p 97). Anderson explains all three elements have an important role to play. Each role cannot be played by either of the other two without hindering the process.
As a believer one might conclude from just watching their local news that we are experiencing the times of which 2 Timothy 3 speaks. Thank God for the salvation He has provided for us through Christ. There is evidence of hurting people everywhere. Jesus said “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that beleiveth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that beleiveth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”(Mark 16:15-18, KJV).
Aside from Jesus’ words the call to Christian Counseling is best put by Dr. Tim Clinton “Christian counseling is wonderful, maddening, joyous work. Those called to walk with and serve the hurting are sometimes overwhelmed, often confused, and occasionally avoidant of walking committedly in this calling. The wonder of it all is that Jesus sends the Spirit- all the time and in every way- to comfort us and to set us free of ourselves”(Clinton & Ohlschlager, 2005, pg 23). I have great excitement to join the many individuals currently working within this ministry. The excitement is stirred up in seeing how God works.
References
Anderson, D. N. (2003). Discipleship Counseling. Ventura: Regal Books.
Anderson, N. (2001). The Steps to Freedom in Christ. The Steps to Freedom in Christ (Second edition ed., p. 5). USA: Gospel Light.
Bailey, D. B. (n.d.). The Ministry of Helps in the Local Church. Dr. Bill Bailey.NET :: Dr. Bill Bailey 's NETwork of Video & Audio Netcasts :: Citrix Consulting, VMware Consulting, Linux/Apache/MySQL/PHP Web Hosting, Web Hosting for Non-Profit Organizations and Ministries. Retrieved June 18, 2011, from http://www.drbillbailey.net/baileyb/helps.htm
Clinton, Dr. (Producer). (2011) Answering God’s Call to Care [Video presentation]. Retrieved from www.luonline.com, Biblical Counseling, BICO 101 [Curriculm].
Clinton, T., & Ohlschlager, G. (2005). The Person of the Counselor. Caring For People God 's Way (p. 23 & 29). Nashville: AACC & Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Dobbins, R. D. (n.d.). Making Christian Counseling Christ-Centered: The Role of the Holy Spirit in Pastoral Counseling. Enrichment Journal. Retrieved June 18, 2011, from http://enrichmentjournal.ag.org/201003/201003_028_Christ-Cent.cfm
McGee, R. (1998). The Light Comes On. The Search For Significance (p. 11). Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc.
The Scofield Reference Bible (King James Version ed., p. 1136). (1945). john 14:26. new york: Oxford University Press.
The Scofield Reference Bible (King James Version ed., p. 1223). (1945). 1 Corinthians 12:28. New York: Oxford University Press.
The Scofield Reference Bible (King James Version ed., p. 783). (1945). Jeremiah 9:23-24. New York: Oxford University Press.
The Scofield Reference Bible (King James Version ed., p. 1310). (1945). James 5:16. New York: Oxford University Press.
The Scofield Reference Bible (King James Version ed., p. 1281). (1945). 2 Timothy, Chapter 3. New York: Oxford University Press.
The Scofield Reference Bible (King James Version ed., p. 1068). (1945). Mark 16:15-18. New York: Oxford University Press.