Transcript

Cornerstone Bible Church – Cornerstone Bible Church – Equipping HourEquipping HourFebruary 1, 2015February 1, 2015

Discipleship & Godly Living: Discipleship & Godly Living: Introduction to Biblical Counseling Introduction to Biblical Counseling

Part 3Part 3

January 11, 2015: (Review)Intro to Biblical Counseling Part 1I. The Need for Biblical CounselingII. The Definition of Biblical Counseling: Discipleship

-- Seven Distinctives of Biblical Counseling

III. Theological Basis of Biblical CounselingIV. Fundamental and Irrecoverable Errors of PsychologyV. The Call to Biblical CounselingVI. Christ’s Example of Biblical Counseling

Seven Distinctives of Biblical Counseling:

1. God is at the center of counseling

2. The Word of God is the Authority

3. Sin is the primary problem that counselors must deal with (both sinful motives and behaviors; both the sins we commit and the sins committed against us; both the consequences of personal sin and the consequences of Adam’s sin)

4. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the answer. Our discipleship and our counseling must be cross-centered.

Seven Distinctives of Biblical Counseling:

4. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the answer. Our discipleship and our counseling must be cross-centered.

It is the gospel of Jesus Christ that gives us hope.

Discipleship is the compassionate and skillful application of the gospel and the Word of God to a person’s life.

Example:

A secular psychologist might be able to correctly identify that someone has self-worth issues but because secular psychologists have no hope themselves -- they can’t give people genuine hope, so they often resort to platitudes of self esteem or uniqueness, or self-expression and might say one of the following things:

Secular Psychology’s Self-esteem ethos: “If you aren’t good at loving yourself, you will have a difficult

time loving anyone, since you’ll resent the time and energy you give another person that you aren’t even giving to yourself.”

Every time we act in harmony with our authentic self and our heart, we earn our respect. It is that simple.”

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection”

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”

You don’t need anyone else to complete you -- you complete you. You’re perfect just the way you are

In the entire history of the world, there has only been one you"The most important relationship you'll ever have in your life is

with you, you bailed on you”

Seven Distinctives of Biblical Counseling:

4. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the answer. Our discipleship and our counseling must be cross-centered.

Example (cont’d):

The bible and the gospel define our worth and give us a reason to have hope: not through ourselves (Eph 2:1) or what we have done (Is 64:6), but our value is defined by the Almighty God Who loves us and by What was sacrificed to save us (the Lord Jesus Christ).

Rom 8:35-39 Eph 1:5,7 Rom 8:31-21

Seven Distinctives of Biblical Counseling:

1. God is at the center of counseling

2. The Word of God is the Authority

3. Sin is the primary problem that counselors must deal with

4. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the answer. Our discipleship and our counseling must be cross-centered.

5. The process of change that counseling must aim at is progressive sanctification

6. The difficult circumstances people face are not the random cause of problems in life

7. Counseling is a shepherding activity and must be church-based

January 11, 2015: Intro to Biblical Counseling Part 1I. The Need for Biblical CounselingII. The Definition of Biblical Counseling: Discipleship

-- Seven Distinctives of Biblical Counseling

III. Theological Basis of Biblical CounselingIV. Fundamental and Irrecoverable Errors of PsychologyV. The Call to Biblical CounselingVI. Christ’s Example of Biblical Counseling

Fundamental and Irrecoverable Errors of Psychology

A. Evolutionary foundation and anthropology Gen 1:26-27

Because secular psychology begins with a faulty view of who man is, it cannot properly diagnose the fundamental problem which is sin. Without addressing the problem of sin, meaningful, God-glorifying change can never take place.

B. Human nature is basically good or at worst a “blank slate” Rom 3:10-18, 23; Ps 51:5

C. C. People have the answers to their problems inside them John 15:5; 2 Tim 3:2

D. The key to understanding and correcting a person’s attitudes and actions lies somewhere in that person’s past

Fundamental and Irrecoverable Errors of Psychology

E. Individuals’ problems are the result of what someone else has done to them 1 John 1:8-10; Js 1:13-15; Js 4:1-2; Ps 32:3ff

F. Human problems can be purely psychological in nature—unrelated to any spiritual or physical condition.

G. Deep-seated problems can be solved only by professional counselors using therapy.

H. Scripture, prayer, and the Holy Spirit are inadequate and simplistic resources for solving certain types of problems

I. Relativism: no fixed moral values, anti-guilt and anti-conscience. “sin” is a bad word. 2 Tim 3:16-17; Prov 14:12; Col 1:28; Ja 5:19-20

January 18, 2015: Intro to Biblical Counseling Part 2I. Secular Perspective:  Mental Health Disorders

A. Intro to DSM IVA. Intro to DSM IV

B. Generalized B. Generalized Anxiety DisorderAnxiety Disorder

C. Panic DisorderC. Panic Disorder

D. Major DepressionD. Major Depression

E. Bipolar I Disorder E. Bipolar I Disorder

F. SchizophreniaF. Schizophrenia

G. Psychotropic medsG. Psychotropic meds

H. AdvertisingH. Advertising

I. ScienceI. Science

II. God’s Perspective III. The Mind Body ConnectionIV. Biblical PerspectiveV. Biblical PrinciplesVI. Biblical Perspective on:

A. Generalized Anxiety DisorderB. Panic DisorderC. DepressionD. Bipolar DisorderE. Schizophrenia

VII. We are not fighting “mental health disorders”

Serotonin Neurotransmitter Theory

January 18, 2015: Intro to Biblical Counseling Parts 2 & 3I. Secular Perspective:  Mental Health Disorders

A. Intro to DSM IVA. Intro to DSM IV

B. Generalized B. Generalized Anxiety DisorderAnxiety Disorder

C. Panic DisorderC. Panic Disorder

D. Major DepressionD. Major Depression

E. Bipolar I Disorder E. Bipolar I Disorder

F. SchizophreniaF. Schizophrenia

G. Psychotropic medsG. Psychotropic meds

H. AdvertisingH. Advertising

I. ScienceI. Science

II. God’s Perspective III. The Mind Body ConnectionIV. Biblical PerspectiveV. Biblical PrinciplesVI. Biblical Perspective on:

A. Generalized Anxiety DisorderB. Panic DisorderC. DepressionD. Bipolar DisorderE. Schizophrenia

VII. We are not fighting “mental health disorders”

B. Symptoms are for a reason, suffering is for a reason• psychotropic medication can help to improve symptoms, but it

does not fix the problem• the problem is sin (either the proximate cause or the root

cause)• symptoms and suffering tell us that something is wrong!• symptoms and suffering point us to Christ• Matt 11:28-29 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-

laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

• James 1: 2-4 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

• Romans 5: 3-5 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

C. Case: Counseling a dying Christian man who was in chronic pain:o God is sovereign over symptoms, suffering and pain

God could take away the pain if He wanted to right?o God can bless us through sufferingo we can glorify God through our suffering and paino Caveat: we can never really know the degree of someone’s

suffering and pain therefore we should be slow to judge someone who is taking medication to alleviate suffering (pain medication or psychotropics)

§ in general, the alleviation of suffering is a good and compassionate thing

§ the Bible does not prohibit the use of medications to alleviate pain and suffering – it is more concerned with motives and issues of the heart

§ Prov 31:6-7 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter. Let him drink and forget his poverty And remember his trouble no more.

D. “Is there any reason for a Christian to use a psychotropic medication?”

• non-believers need the gospel of Jesus Christ• believers need the gospel of Jesus Christ• Sufficiency of Scripture – 2 Peter 1:3• mental health disorders are spiritual disorders, not chemical ones

like Diabetes or an infection.• Principle: • Principle: God is sovereign over our circumstances• Practice: biblical counseling first • Practice: prayer, meditation, introspection, biblical counseling &

discipleship• last resort: medication – may help with symptoms, continue to

address the heart issues. medication – not because of a failure of the Word of God, but more to help a weaker brother or sister with symptoms while we continue to address the heart.

January 18, 2015: Intro to Biblical Counseling Parts 2 & 3I. Secular Perspective:  Mental Health Disorders

A. Intro to DSM IVA. Intro to DSM IV

B. Generalized B. Generalized Anxiety DisorderAnxiety Disorder

C. Panic DisorderC. Panic Disorder

D. Major DepressionD. Major Depression

E. Bipolar I Disorder E. Bipolar I Disorder

F. SchizophreniaF. Schizophrenia

G. Psychotropic medsG. Psychotropic meds

H. AdvertisingH. Advertising

I. ScienceI. Science

II. God’s Perspective III. The Mind Body ConnectionIV. Biblical PerspectiveV. Biblical PrinciplesVI. Biblical Perspective on:

A. Generalized Anxiety DisorderB. Panic DisorderC. DepressionD. Bipolar DisorderE. Schizophrenia

VII. We are not fighting “mental health disorders”

VI. Biblical Perspective on:

A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder1. Natural fear

2. Sinful feara. Prevents us from obeying God’s commandsb. Causes us to disobey God’s commandsc. Causes us to act selfishlyd. Comes from unbiblical thinkinge. Comes from unbelief or a lack of faith

3. Holy Fear (fear of the Lord)a. brings joy, peace, assurance, confidence

4. Fear (anxiety) and respect are inextricably linked and proportionate

a. Idols of the heart

VI. Biblical Perspective on:

B. Panic DSO:1. Usually assoc with an intense overwhelming fear of death, loss of

control, fear of panic attack, perceived threat, seek after quick relief or escape

2. idol of safety, comfort, well-being, 3. focus on feelings rather than God’s promises4. seek relief, comfort, and refuge from something other than God

5. Christians should have no fear of death -- Heb 2:14-15 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

6. lack of trust in God’s protection -- Prov 3:25-26 Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; 26 For the Lord will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught.

VI. Biblical Perspective on:

C. Depression:1. Usually a disparity in expectations2. discontent rooted in pride3. distrust of God’s promises and sovereignty4. Expectations not being met 5. joy and pleasure from wrong things6. idols of the heart: Ezekiel 14:1-8

VI. Biblical Perspective on:

D. Bipolar DSO:• extreme lack of discipline of the mind• prideful delusions of grandeur

Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

VI. Biblical Perspective on:

E. Schizophrenia: • extreme lack of discipline of the mind• Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel Ch 4:27-37• his prideful and exalted view of himself was blasphemous and lead

to his psychosis

VII. We are not fighting “mental health disorders” We are engaged in a spiritual battle.

• 1 Peter 5: 8-10 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

• Eph 6: 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia

• What do people with these disorders have in common? • An intense inward focus – the Bible calls this selfishness and pride

• Patterns of wrong and unbiblical thoughts that have become habitual

2 Corinth 10: 5-6 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.

Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Philipp 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

January 18, 2015: Intro to Biblical Counseling Parts 2 & 3I. Secular Perspective:  Mental Health Disorders

A. Intro to DSM IVA. Intro to DSM IV

B. Generalized B. Generalized Anxiety DisorderAnxiety Disorder

C. Panic DisorderC. Panic Disorder

D. Major DepressionD. Major Depression

E. Bipolar I Disorder E. Bipolar I Disorder

F. SchizophreniaF. Schizophrenia

G. Psychotropic medsG. Psychotropic meds

H. AdvertisingH. Advertising

I. ScienceI. Science

II. God’s Perspective III. The Mind Body ConnectionIV. Biblical PerspectiveV. Biblical PrinciplesVI. Biblical Perspective on:

A. Generalized Anxiety DisorderB. Panic DisorderC. DepressionD. Bipolar DisorderE. Schizophrenia

VII. We are not fighting “mental health disorders”

Cornerstone Bible Church – Cornerstone Bible Church – Equipping HourEquipping HourFebruary 1, 2015February 1, 2015

Discipleship & Godly Living: Discipleship & Godly Living: Introduction to Biblical Counseling Introduction to Biblical Counseling

Part 3Part 3


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