The focus of the seventh lesson was on the topic of the priority of addressing the heart. There were three goals in the lesson: (1) to understand how to address the issues of the heart, (2) to recognize the process of change in people’s lives, and (3) to think about how to put these truths into daily practice.
I began the lesson with two Scriptures that give hope for change, 2 Corinthians 3:18 and Colossians 3:1-4; these are reminders that God is at work changing his people but that the work will be completed when they are in glory. After thinking about hope from God’s Word, I gave some cautions when addressing the heart. These were areas that can be hindrances in the change process. The cautions were to avoid being simplistic, reductionistic, formulaic, unbalanced, unrealistic, wrong focused, idealistic, impractical, impatient, and having morbid introspection. I said that I have found myself in some of those categories and one should be aware of the subtle nature of those hindrances to
15 David Powlison, “How Does Sanctification Work? (Pt. 3),” Journal of Biblical Counseling 31, no. 1 (2017): 9-32.
change.
I then talked about how to address the heart. I reminded them that the heart is always active: thoughts, beliefs, desires, motives, words, emotions, and actions. I used Pierre’s diagram of the “dynamic heart in relationship” to explain how the heart responds to those around it (God, others, self, and circumstances).16 In order to address the heart, I explained the need to read, reflect, relate, and renew the heart. I used an illustration from Numbers 20:1-5 to help the class go through this exercise, and discussed how the
Israelite’s hearts were being exposed in their difficult circumstances. I told them there are other models to view the heart and change, such as the three-trees model developed by Powlison.17 I said that they are all similar in that they are dealing with the heart.
I then looked at important reminders when addressing the heart. I explained that people are always responding in either godly or ungodly ways, which come out of the heart. There is a redeemer, and not a system, that helps people in the change process.
A person’s responsibility is to respond in faith to Jesus who promises to forgive, provide help, and power to change. One aspect of responding to Jesus is through repentance of behavioral and heart sins. I then reminded them that God is really changing them.
I ended the lesson by explaining one subtle way in which the change process is hindered. This happens when Christ is no longer the focus, but self. Instead of Christ being at the center, a person focusses only on their performance. I summarized it by saying that people change by Christ, through Christ, and for Christ. I then reminded them of the goal of life-long growing and changing to reflect Christlikeness in one’s beliefs, thoughts, motives, desires, words, emotions, and actions through an active dynamic relationship with Jesus. For homework I asked them to read, “How Christ Changes Us by
16 Pierre, Dynamic Heart in Daily Life, 103. This can also be seen in appendix 5, figure A1.
17 Andrew Nicholls and Helen Thorne, Real Change: Becoming More Like Jesus in Everyday Life, ed. David Powlison (Greensboro, NC: New Growth Press, 2018), 9-12.
His Grace” by Timothy Lane and Paul Tripp.18 Lesson 8: Counseling One Another
The focus of the final lesson was on the topic of counseling one another. There were three goals in the lesson: (1) to learn how the Bible calls believers to care for one another, (2) to see the purpose of relationships as redemptive, and (3) to learn ways to counsel one another’s hearts.
I began the lesson by emphasizing two Scriptures that address relationships in the body, Romans 15:14 and Ephesians 4:15-16. I reminded them that the Lord saves people individually and then puts them into a community of faith. This community is made up of people at different stages of their Christian walk who continually need to grow and change.
Believers are placed in a local body of believers with a purpose. I explained that the community is the place where people help one another become more like Jesus.
The community provides an opportunity for hearts to be exposed, such as when there is conflict (Jas 4:1-4). I also explained the goal of change is conformity to Christ, not to personal standards of belief and conduct.
The second section was on the practical steps necessary to counsel one another.
First, I talked about who is qualified to help. I explained that the Lord uses ordinary individuals who have the sufficient Word of God through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Second, I used Robert Jones’ three step model for how to help one another: (1) enter his/her world, (2) understand his/her need, and (3) bring him/her Christ and his answers.19 I used an example of how they would counsel someone who just lost their home in a fire
18 Timothy S. Lane and Paul David Tripp, “How Christ Changes Us by His Grace,” Journal of Biblical Counseling 23, no. 2 (Spring 2005): 15-21.
19 Robert Jones, “Introduction to Biblical Counseling” (lecture, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY, Summer 2019).
and is asking the question “why.” It allowed an opportunity for the class to think carefully, to not speak too quickly, and to meditate on the hope found in Scripture (primarily in God’s character). The group also talked about how the Psalms remind believers of God’s character and help in time of need.
I ended the lesson and the class by reminding them that the goal is life-long growing and changing to reflect Christlikeness in their beliefs, thoughts, motives, desires, words, emotions, and actions through an active dynamic relationship with Jesus. I
provided the class with a list of resources and websites for further learning. I reminded them that this class was meant to introduce them to the idea of biblical counseling and provide a foundation for any further training they may desire. I sent a follow up survey to those who participated in the class.
Conclusion
“The Fundamentals of Christ-Centered Change” was a first step to introducing biblical counseling to MABC. The class provided key concepts to help leaders
understand the importance of biblical counseling, encouraging some to seek further training. The senior pastor was encouraged by the class and asked for me to offer it again.
Others mentioned that this class would be important for the entire body to go through.
Many were beginning to see how the principles of biblical counseling could help them in their own lives, and in the lives of those in the body.
CHAPTER 5