In this important passage, two kinds of believers fit well with the discipline of biblical counseling—the strong and the weak (Romans 15:1). Therefore, the strong and the weak must not neglect the content of the strengthening - the Bible.
Applied to Biblically Counseling Those with Counseling Those with
Nevertheless, from Paul's perspective here, he was going through these things for the benefit of the Colossian believers. Paul's love for the believers in Colossae was the motivating force behind his ability to endure the hard work of preaching.
Applied to Biblically Counseling Those with
This section will demonstrate that the counselee who manifests a reading problem will receive the help he needs from a book—the Scriptures. Although the metaphor is similar in some ways, there is one major difference between the literal sword and the word of God – the word of God can penetrate into places that an actual sword cannot.
Expresses What the Bible Does Bible Does
A second use of God's word is as a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. The distinction is a significant departure from the view of the sword thus far, for both the literal sword and the word of God pierce and divide, but only the Bible is able to weigh one's thoughts and desires.
Applied to Biblically Counseling Those Who Have Counseling Those Who Have
A biblical counselor must use the Bible to bring about the necessary changes in the counselee's life (Heb 4:12). However, there is a problem within biblical counseling: "How does a biblical counselor do the worthwhile job of counseling those whose reading difficulties hinder the process?" competently performed his profession as a biblical counselor. His final assessment is that "apathy was complete."2 The world is suffering from the destructive forces of apathy, and the biblical counselor will want to help the counselee to see how apathy toward reading will hinder his spiritual progress.
But when we are spiritually blind, we cannot live as God intended."4 The counselor must understand that he may experience this harsh reality in his own attitude about the need for change. Therefore, in treating laziness versus reading, the counselor will have to prioritize discipline in all areas of the counselee's life. Fourth, the biblical counselor will need to use simple terms and avoid complex words with the counselee.
Review
At the beginning of a series of counseling sessions, the biblical counselor cannot pick and choose with whom he does the ministry of biblical counseling—he cannot choose to ignore those who demonstrate reading issues. Because of the gap in the reading, the biblical counselor will have to devote extra time to mirroring Paul's zeal for another person's spiritual growth. The biblical counselor will need to know how to decipher whether a counselee's inability to read is due to a verifiable physical deficiency or whether there are non-physically related issues at play.
In addition, as important as these implications are to the biblical counselor, the client with reading difficulties must also consider their own spiritual maturity.
Review
One might ask the question, "How do I know what is expected so that I can obey God and enter into His rest?" The answer is given in the verse that is the focus of this. While the metaphor is similar in some ways, there is one major difference between the literal sword and the word of God: the word of God can penetrate where a real sword cannot. None of the sources mentioned above can do what the Bible can do, what.
Since only God's word can do this, it is of the utmost importance for the biblical counselor to be able to compensate for any reading difficulties of the mentee by finding ways to expose the mentee to Scripture.
Review
The counselor's best approach is to help the mentee see the dangers of apathy through robust biblical instruction. The material included some scriptures that the counselor can give to guide them to eradicate apathy (Rev 3:16; 1 Thess 5:11; 2 Tim. Basically, the goal will be to rearrange priorities to the extent that reading Scripture and integrating its principles become of paramount importance in the supervisor's life.
Consequently, the counselee should have a greater desire to read his Bible.
Review
When he returns to counseling next week, the log will tell the counselor what the counselee did with his time. Together they can analyze the chart to determine whether or not the advisor is being lazy, whether he is doing things like spending large blocks of wasted time. The emphasis of this teaching applied to reading problems, because the person with a lazy disposition may be lazy in reading, which will not serve him well in the biblical counseling process.
Therefore, the students learned that they must help their lazy counselor enforce the discipline of reading, starting with the Bible sentences quoted earlier.
Review
The goal was to give the biblical counselor the confidence and ability to help those who were previously afraid or unable to help them because of the counselor's reading disorders. The class began with the students answering, "What are the different types of reading disabilities?" Answers varied, but most had a basic understanding of dyslexia. The classroom material served as a grid through which the biblical counselor could analyze any previous diagnosis the counselee had received, either from a physician or from a counselor.
The session ended with a very useful list of technology-based learning tools.3 The class discussion was lively and well received because the material highlighted the many resources available to the tutor who has difficulty reading.
Review
For many consultants, this learning material was where the proverbial rubber met the road. The many resources available in this course series will help them do this. In fact, the complexity of the counselee's problems may have resulted from his inability to read well.
Students were given a formal definition of illiteracy and statistics on the distinct nature of the problem.
Review
The students had to use their knowledge gained from other training of the "put on/put down" concept and adapt it for use by the dyslexic tutor, which is called the Index Card Learning Method. The students were reminded of the biblical reasoning passage which reinforced the fact that counseling the reading disabled will require more work and effort than the regular counseling procedure (Col 1:24-29). The counselor should use illustrations or drawings to make his biblical point clear to the dyslexic counselor.
The standard twelve to fifteen weeks of counseling will be increased by approximately five weeks, providing the additional time needed for a dyslexic counselor to receive the same care that another counselor receives.
Review
The counselee should then think about things that are "true, noble, just, pure, beautiful, praiseworthy, virtuous, praiseworthy" (v. 8). She told the counselor that she could imagine herself rocking back in her chair on a wide back porch as she watched the sun set across the horizon. Another student suggested that the counselor make a collage showing the difference between worry and trust in God.
He learned that the advised could print out images from the internet or use images from magazines.
Review
I was surprised to discover that students made the least progress on the material covered in Part 1 of the survey. First, the purpose was to “educate” RABCC counselors.1 The question to demonstrate whether or not this part of the purpose was successfully met is: “Whether. Another aspect of this goal was the use of the curriculum in a twelve-week class.
The first benefit of the project was the biblical and theological rationale for helping those whose reading difficulties hinder the counseling process.
Would Do Differently
Current understanding of biblical principles related to reading issues
I know which specific Bible passages I would use to advise someone who is apathetic to reading. I know which specific Bible passages I would use to counsel someone who is lazy to read. I know which specific Bible passages I would use to advise someone who is rebellious to reading.
I know what specific Bible verses I would use to encourage someone who has a physical disability other than reading.
Understanding Various Reading Issues and Their Implications for Biblical Counseling
I know which specific Bible passages I will use when the counselee has not developed the habit of reading.
Applied Counseling
I know how to ask questions of the counselee to determine the specific reading issue that is hindering the counseling process. The purpose of this exercise is to have the counselee keep track of how he spends his time to see if he has lazy tendencies, including laziness regarding Bible reading. This will help the counselor to get a general understanding of whether or not the counselee has come to certain conclusions about his laziness on his own.
relationship with children (if a parent); brothers/sisters; dorm mates non-existent | extremely low | average | something important | very high 4.
PUT OFF
PUT ON
TEST STATISTICAL DATA
Current understanding of biblical principles related to biblical counseling
Understanding of various reading issues and their implications for biblical counseling
Understanding of how to apply these principles in the counseling room
The Glory of God: The Purpose of Biblical Counseling. In Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling, edited by James MacDonald, 23-35. Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands: People in Need of Change Help people in need of change. This project educates biblical counselors to be more effective counselors by overcoming difficulties in counseling those with various reading difficulties.
This chapter examines the ministry context, history, and community demographics for the Randolph Area Biblical Counseling Center.
