Counseling Victims to Freedom - Lesson 2
by Dr. Ray Self
Instructions
- Click play button to begin the video.
- Follow along with the study notes below video window.
- When you complete the video, click the "Chapter Assignment" button at the bottom of this page to begin your lesson assignment.
The Basics
Three elements of counseling:
- There is a problem
- Problems can be solved by verbal means
- Change the problem that is hurting the counselee
The counselor must be a trained evangelist understanding the ministry and biblical principles of reconciliation.
Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.
The basics for the counselee to understand:
- Salvation comes by God’s grace
- The avenue for it to come is faith in the finished work of Christ
- It cannot be achieved by human effort
- It is a free gift
Understanding and acting on these principles will bring reconciliation with God.
All answers to all problems will ultimately be found in Christ. John 15:5 - I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. Nothing that matters with God can be accomplished without Christ. We cannot help the hurting without Christ.
John 15:7 - If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. This scripture actually gives an answer to all problems. If the principles and teachings of Christ are adhered to we can ask God for any answer to any problem and He will provide it. John 16:13 – Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.
What a counselor is:
- A servant
- A person who cares for the hurting
- A person motivated by love
- A person who is led by the Spirit of God
- A person who has natural and God-given wisdom
- A person who is faithful and committed
- A person under authority
- A person who is trained and equipped
What a counselor is not:
- A person who wants to fix other people
- A person who is controlling or dominating
- A person who cannot keep a secret
- A person who is easily shocked
- A person who is uneducated in Christian counseling
- A person who is unfamiliar with the Bible
Counselors must know their capabilities and limitations:
- Competence boundaries
- Know what you know and know what you do not know
- Pride will get in the way and add to hurt when a counselor does not want to admit that he does not know the answer
- Humble yourself when you do not know the answer and simply refer your client to someone who knows
All counselors must know the limit of themselves in several areas:
- Time limits
- Physical limits
- Spiritual limits
- Financial limits
God has a balance for all counselors. Not adhering to personal limitations can cause a myriad of problems. It is not God’s will for counselors to get out of balance and “burn out.”
Matthew 11:28-30 - Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Counseling is a vital service to the body of Christ. Counselor’s are ministers of God’s truth and have been given an anointing to “set the captives free.” God puts a lot of responsibility upon the counselor but He never forsakes them.
Study Questions:
- Why is it important for the counselee to understand salvation by grace?
- Why is a counselor a servant?
- Explain what is meant by a competence boundary.
- Explain spiritual limitations
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