I remember the first time I had the opportunity to learn about Biblical counseling. It was at a week-long conference, and I was invited by a friend. I really didn’t know anything about Biblical counseling, but I had been studying and teaching the Bible for about ten years at the time. What I did know was that the Bible is God’s perfect, all sufficient revelation to us. I was excited to see what Biblical counseling was all about. After our first day of lectures, conversations, and trips to the resource center, I looked at my friend and declared, “I have found my people!” God used this conference to set a firm foundation of Scripture for any opportunities I would have to counsel moving forward. For this I am eternally grateful.

 

The first place I had the opportunity (and the challenge) to apply the principles of biblical counseling was at Agape Women’s Center in Johnson City, TN. This was both an opportunity and a challenge because many of the individuals we had the privilege to walk with did not know Jesus as their Savior. Why did this matter? Great question!

 

For biblical counseling to have the power to change a life the person must first receive life from Jesus by placing their faith in his payment for their sin on the cross. When we believe that Jesus paid for our sin and conquered death by rising from the grave alive, we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit who seals us as God’s child forever. This is a foundational principle of biblical counseling. For the Word and the Spirit to work in us we must first have received the gift of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. So often the conversations at Agape centered around helping people understand who Jesus is and why they need him. It is thrilling to see God save a life from darkness and death. It is also humbling to be called to walk alongside them as they learn how to trust and obey. 

 

Helping people learn how to trust and obey is truly at the heart of Biblical counseling. Now that I have the joy of serving at East Tennessee Biblical Counseling, I am humbled to see God help people realize and apply His power to their life and struggles through learning what is true from the Scriptures and allowing the Holy Spirit to help them live obediently to what they know is true. Knowing God and following His ways gives us not only help but hope as we navigate life in a world broken by sin. 

 

It is also important to mention that besides being saved by Jesus and studying God’s Word, God has used biblical counseling in my life to help me learn, grow and find hope during struggles with sin from within and without. I am grateful for each brother and sister in Christ who has taken the time to listen and point me to Truth – aka Jesus. 

We need each other! God knows this and it is an important reason the church exists. Biblical counseling helps us bring truth back into focus and motivates us to respond in obedience, so we can be used by God to help His kingdom come and will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.