I used a rubric to evaluate the skills used during the role play.7 The goal was considered sufficiently met when at least 3 of the 5 students met or. While some may fear that this is a false "prison conversion," the pastor saw their consistent attendance at chapel programs and their desire to learn more about God's Word. Commenting on the grammatical structure used in this verse, he writes that there is "the implication in the use of the third class 'future more likely' conditional construction that such a circumstance will almost certainly take place." 16.
There is nothing that a psychotherapist does that a counselor does not."25 Furthermore, Corsini defines psychotherapy as a process for "the improvement of need" in the areas of. 32Rob Green and Steve Viars, “The Biblical Counseling Ministry of the Local Church,” in Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling, ed. What Blomberg describes - the believer's "ability to bring God's perspective to every aspect of life" - is exactly what the biblical counselor is aiming for.
The fact that the prisoners live in this powder keg results in the "increasingly hidden presence of fear"10 as part of everyday life. Dennis Shere's description of Louisiana State Penitentiary (commonly known as Angola) is true of virtually all prisons: “Prison staff work hard to identify and control predators while providing increased opportunities for inmates who. When the time came for the Jewish temple to be rebuilt, "the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia" to provide measures (Ezra 1:1).
I also condensed some of the introductory material and eliminated the lesson on "Influences of Nature and Nurture", choosing instead to incorporate this discussion into other lessons.
The Need for Biblical Counseling
The idea was to provide 20 hours of instruction, followed by half a day of role play, where inmates would take on the role of counselor and counselor and put into practice what they learned. Each time of the role play was followed by a time of discussion where the other students shared their observations and I provided constructive criticism on the way the session was conducted. The following section is a very brief summary of the twenty lessons and role-play scenarios the inmates used to simulate how they would advise other inmates.4.
What Is Biblical Counseling?
The Process of Biblical Change
Addressing Heart Issues
Dealing with Depression
Worry and Fear
Forgiveness
Putting Your Past in Its Place
Growth through Suffering
Relating to Authority
Dealing with Injustice
In both iterations of the course, the inmates were enthusiastic and actively participated in discussions. Before starting the course, I took the pre- and post-course survey (see Appendix 4) to gauge their basic understanding of the precepts of biblical counseling. At the end of the course, I administered the pre- and post-course survey and collected the course critiques.
A number of others attended most of the course but missed at least one full day due to various schedules. The participants in the first group were Christians who are active in chapel programs and residents of the prison's House of Faith. The goal was measured by counting the number of inmates who attended at least 80 percent of the course.
This goal was measured by the completion of a course evaluation by each of the participants. Although approved by the assistant director, this did not happen in the first three days of the course due to a lack of communication within the prison administration. Another weakness of the project was the design of some pre- and post-course survey questions.
Additionally, I will only issue certificates of completion to those students who have attended at least 80 percent of the course (allowing for one day of absence). Given the uniqueness of the prison environment, it would have been beneficial to learn from a group. While the inmates shared both strengths and weaknesses of the course, the overall sentiments were overwhelmingly positive.
Many of the prisoners also indicated that the material was relevant to their circumstances, adding comments such as The last half of the course was spent discussing how to deal with specific issues such as depression, anger, and biblical peacemaking. Some of the students noted a need for specific examples and the need to add more "excitement" to the material.
Would Do Differently
Fundamentals of Biblical Counseling
The purpose of biblical counseling is to give instruction from the Bible so that the counselee can achieve God's goals in his life. The gospel is just as important for our sanctification as it is for our justification. It is not enough to just hear God's word and agree with it, we must do what He commands.
Grace is instrumental in the change process from our unity in Christ to our fellowship with Christ. If a counselee refuses to do God's will, you may need to end the counseling relationship. The story is not about great men, but about a great Savior and God's great love for us.
When you realize how God's wrath has been turned away from you, you can give grace to others.
WORRY AND FEAR
FORGIVENESS
Don't make things worse through unbiblical methods of handling conflict ("The Slippery Slope," Diagram from The Peacemaker). If he refuses to listen to the church, he must be put out of the congregation. James condemns the double vision of not wanting the wisdom of God; Wants worldly pleasures plus God.
Satan will tempt you to doubt God's goodness when you endure trials; Do not blame God if you are tempted; He is unchangeably perfect in His goodness; God generously gives good gifts (James 1:17,5); God is good to everything and everyone, even his enemies. When you feel overwhelmed by trials and tempted to doubt God's goodness, remember His good gifts. Conclusion: You will face trials; God is at work; Seek God's wisdom; Never lose sight of God's goodness.
He has been faithful in church services for as long as you have known him and also attends Bible classes whenever he can. Now that he's in prison, Bill doesn't know how Mary will make it financially, and he's sure the bank will foreclose on his home. Bill is also worried about how his children will be without their father and thinks they will reject him now that he is in prison.
Biblical Counseling and the Local Church.” In Counseling: How to Counsel Biblically, by John MacArthur, Wayne Mack, and The Master's College Faculty, 222-30. Local Church Biblical Counseling Ministry.” In Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling, edited by James MacDonald, 225-37. Rediscovering Biblical Counseling.” In Counseling: How to Counsel Biblically, by John MacArthur, Wayne Mack, and The Master's College Faculty, 3-17.
The Modern Prison." In The Oxford History of the Prison, edited by Norval Morris and David J. Spiritual Discipline and the Biblical Counselor." In Counseling: How to Counsel Biblically, by John MacArthur, Wayne Mack, and The Master's College Faculty, 88-97. Why Biblical Counseling and Not Psychology?” In Counseling: How to Counsel Biblically, by John MacArthur, Wayne Mack, and The Master's College Faculty, 31–47.
