Where Do I Begin?
Biblical counseling can be intimidating. There are many things to learn, and it does require time and effort. However, it is important to remember this is an exciting journey. You will never have all the answers and that is alright! Biblical counseling is about understanding that Christ and his Word is sufficient for life and godly living.
Every Christian should engage with biblical counseling as we counsel ourselves, our loved ones, and those around us in the Body of Christ.
If you are interested in beginning this journey, consider the following steps:
Every Christian should engage with biblical counseling as we counsel ourselves, our loved ones, and those around us in the Body of Christ.
If you are interested in beginning this journey, consider the following steps:
Spend time in prayer.
Ask God for wisdom as you seek to help others rest in Christ. Be quick to recognize your own short-comings and failures and yield yourself to Christ as His servant. Biblical counseling can be draining. As God to strengthen your love for Him as you spend more time in His Word.
Read some counseling mini books.
Pick up two or three mini books and read through them. Pick up different topics and make sure you get one that you have little knowledge about. Consider the tone of the author and goal of each book. What do you observe as you read these books?
Review our counseling process.
Review the Biblical Counseling process we use at Lifeway Baptist Church.
Read "Counseling With Purpose"
A 20-minute podcast about the essential nature of Biblical Counseling for the local church. Many times, a biblical counseling ministry grows out of the humility of knowing we all need biblical counseling.
Listen to "Growing a Counseling Ministry"
This short article explains what purposeful counseling looks like practically. It demonstrates what an hour of counseling looks like and explains what Biblical Counseling is not.
Watch "Why Counsel?"
A longer explanation about why biblical counseling is necessary for Christians and the local church. This session is the introductory hour for Track 1 so you will need to watch this video.
Track 1 Training & Instruction
Overview
Track 1 equips learners with the basic tools and knowledge necessary to ministry the Word personally. Many will find this training helpful in their individual relationship with Jesus, their own relationships, and in their ministry to others. Track 1 demonstrates how biblical counsel is based on the sufficiency of the Scripture and it is application for Spiritual growth. This training satisfies the training requirement for ACBC certification. Participants will learn the key elements for personal ministry as well as receive introductory teaching on the heart in the sanctification process. We will teach about other common counseling issues including biblical communication, roles in marriage, anger, and depression.
Structure of the course
Lifeway Baptist Church is partnering with Faith Counseling to provide the best and most efficient training.
This course includes 32 hours of video instruction and a comprehensive notebook.
This course includes 32 hours of video instruction and a comprehensive notebook.
- Two-thirds of the instruction will be viewed in-person at Lifeway. This will enable us to talk and learn together, led by pastor Doug Stewart and ACBC certified Melinda Von Bokern.
- One-third of the instruction will be required to be viewed at home. This allows us to finish in roughly 10 weeks.
- While the entire course can be done personally at home, we encourage everyone to participate in the scheduled group meetings.
Track 1 training information
WHEN: Beginning March 22 through May 17 (see calendar below)
COST: $235, and $255 after 3/15. The cost includes:
COST: $235, and $255 after 3/15. The cost includes:
- Personal access to all 32 hours of Track 1 videos for 90 days.
- A printed binder with all session notes (we will print the notes for you and you will also receive a digital copy).
- Snacks and a light breakfast (juice, coffee, granola bars, muffins, etc.) for in-person meetings.
- Receive a "Faith Biblical Counseling Ministry" certificate upon completion.
Organizations
Association of Biblical Counselors (ACBC)
ACBC equips Christians to provide biblical solutions for the problems people face. We accomplish this through certification that upholds faithful practice with doctrinal integrity and biblical sufficiency, resources that build up the church, and networks that promote biblical counseling excellence.
Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF)
The aim of CCEF is to consider how caring for people’s souls can be increasingly wise and helpful. This is sometimes identified as biblical counseling. We intend this not as a protected trademark but as a body of work to which many contribute. It describes the troubles we face, how those troubles are experienced, how God speaks to us during those troubles, and how we help each other with wisdom and love.
Biblical Counseling Coalition (BCC)
Our goal is to foster collaborative relationships and to provide robust, relevant biblical resources that equip the Body of Christ to change lives with Christ’s changeless truth. We desire to advance the biblical counseling movement in Christ-centered cooperation by relating in ways that are loving and wise, pursuing the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Faith Biblical Counseling Ministry
We understand that there are times in life where you just need a helping hand. We want to come alongside you to encourage you with Biblical truth that will make a lasting impact. We believe that God has given us all we need to know Him and to live in a way that is pleasing to Him. All our difficulties may not evaporate. However, when a person willingly submits to God's instructions and clings to his promises there is hope and help.
