Spirituality and Counseling: Resources and Personal Development
Ian F. Jones, Ph.D., Ph.D.
Summary The spiritual development of both the counselor and counselee are important to the therapeutic process. Further, biblical aspects and resources should be applied to counseling. Scriptures form the basis of biblically based counseling, and the Scriptures need to be alive in the counselor in order to engage in biblically saturated counseling. The spiritual growth of an individual happens through the study of God’s Word. To incorporate Scriptures most effectively in counseling, one must follow certain guidelines as the Holy Spirit and Scriptures are purposed to empower the counselor and counselee. As a representative of Christ, the counselor must look for the hand of God in every counseling encounter and help others to see their situations from God’s perspective. Learning Objectives 1. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of spiritual growth and development. 2. Participants will examine the role of effective use of Scriptures, biblical meditation, prayer, and the Holy Spirit within counseling. 3. Participants will overview the biblical traits and spiritual disciplines in counseling.
I.
Spiritual Development A. The Counselor 1. Personal development: • Bring Scripture to life in the Christian counselor. 2. Practical application: • Apply biblical resources in counseling. B. History 1. Sometime in the year 386, Augustine and his friend Alypius were spending time in Milan. While outdoors, Augustine heard the voice of a child singing a song, the words of which were, "Pick it up and read it. Pick it up and read it." He thought at first that the song was related to some kind of children's game, but could not remember ever having heard such a song before. 2. Then, realizing that this song might be a command from God to open and read the Scriptures, he located a Bible, picked it up, opened it and read the first passage he saw. It was from the Letter of Paul to the Romans. Augustine read: “Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”—Romans 13:13-14 “No further would I read, nor did I need; for instantly, as the sentence ended, —by a light, as it were, of security infused into my heart, —all the gloom of doubt vanished away.”—St. Augustine C. The Nature and Purpose of Scripture 1. AACC statement of faith: • “The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are the inspired, inerrant and trustworthy Word of God, the complete revelation of His will for salvation of human beings, and the final authority for all matters about which it speaks.” 2. Scriptures form the basis of biblically based counseling. 3. The Scriptures need to be alive in you personally in order for you to engage in biblically saturated counseling.
D.
Spiritual Growth and Development 1. Christians are reborn spiritually. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”—2 Corinthians 5:17 2. We must deal with our sinful nature (Romans 6:1-14). 3. We need to grow spiritually, becoming transformed morally and spiritually. “That, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”—Ephesians 4:22-24 4. Spiritual growth means studying the Word of God. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”—2 Timothy 3:16-17 5. Engage in a systematic study of God’s Word: • Examine (exegete) it. • Meditate on it. • Memorize it. • Apply it to our lives (James 1:22-25). 6. Functions of Scripture: • Convict us—exposes our sin. • Instruct us—teach us how to live like Christ. 7. The Word of God must: • Saturate or be active on our minds (Romans 12:1-2 and Ephesians 4:23). • Motivate or be active on our behavior (Romans 6:12-13 and 1 Timothy 4:7). 8. Our desire for God’s Word should be like a newborn baby. “Like newborn babies long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.”—1 Peter 2:2
II.
Making the Bible Come Alive A. Foundations 1. Read it.
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Devotional ➢ Macro—big picture ➢ Micro—meditation Exegetical Knowledge and memory “Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.” —Psalm 119:11
2. Engage it (conversation with God). 3. Meditate upon it (listening to God). • Prayer • The Practice of the Presence of God (book by Brother Lawrence) B. Requirements for Using Scripture Effectively in Counseling 1. Memorize the Word of God. 2. Translate Scripture into the language of the people. 3. Examine alternative views, commentaries, and translations of Scripture. 4. Exercise caution in the use of books on counseling. 5. Interpret Scripture. C. Tasks of Biblical Interpretation 1. Two tasks of biblical interpretation: • Exegesis • Hermeneutics 2. Exegesis: • Read the text carefully. • Ask the right questions: ➢ Context questions ➢ Content questions 3. Hermeneutics: • This normally refers to the whole field of interpretation. • Narrower sense: refers to contemporary relevance of the text. ➢ What does it mean for us now?
D. Biblical Meditation 1. Eric Johnson infers that Scripture has “soul-healing resources.” 2. Distinguish between: • Level one reading: Normal reading at an intellectual level; textbook reading; focus on meaning of themes and concepts. ➢ Essential for changing our thinking about God, the world, and our selfconcept. ➢ Knowing Christian truth intellectually is not enough; it needs to enter the heart (Hebrews 4:12,13). • Level two reading: Meditative, heart-level reading; being moved by it; needed for deeper soul transformation. ➢ Appropriating biblical meaning (received through level 1 reading) personally and experientially. ➢ It seeks to savor the truth. ➢ Foundation: recognizing that Christ himself is speaking into the soul through Scripture. ➢ Relational and prayerful, rather than just intellectual. 3. Why do level two reading? • Meditation is commended over 40 times in the Bible. • God designed the brains of humans to meditate and restore the soul. • The key difference to all other types of mediation is the focus on a triune God. “Tremble, and do not sin; meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still.” —Psalm 4:4 “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”—Psalm 46:10 4. Four steps: • Prepare and “slow down” one’s mind and heart. • Read passages that touch your heart. • Understanding touches the heart. • Use Scriptural guided imagination. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.”—Psalm 103:1-5
III.
The Power of Scripture and the Holy Spirit A. Scripture Empowers the Counselor “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”—Hebrews 4:12 1. Quick and powerful (ζῶν καὶ ἐνεργὴς): • Energes: active, energizing, effective, able to cause something to happen, powerful • Zoe: living (the word of the living God—Hebrews 3:12) 2. The power is personal (uniqueness of biblical power). • Living power (Hebrews 3:12) • God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16) • The saving power and the spirit of power (Isaiah 11:2) 3. The effect of Scripture in the life of a Christian counselor can be profound. “When I share with my clients, I find Philippians finding its way into my words and dialogue as well as conversations with my friends and family…it just seems to come out.”—Jared B. The Holy Spirit “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”—John 14:26 “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever.”—John 14:16 1. Jesus revealed that God would provide “another Counselor/Helper” to be with us forever, the “Spirit of truth.” 2. Helper: parakletos—one called or summoned along the side of another to help; comforter; advocate; or intercessor. C. Characteristics of the Holy Spirit (John 14) 1. Comforter (advocate of Christ) 2. Counselor (intercessor)
3. Teacher 4. Reminder 5. Helper 6. Spirit of Truth 7. One who convicts people of sin, righteousness, and judgment D. Characteristics of the Filling of the Spirit 1. Evidence of faith • Galatians 3:2, 14 • John 7:39 2. Boldness and authority towards others • Acts 4:8 • Acts 4:29-31 • Acts 13:9-11 • Acts 9:17 3. Intercessory prayer to God • Romans 8:26-27 4. Service to others • Acts 6:3 5. Godly focus or divine perception (Stephen) • Acts 7:55 6. A joyful attitude • Acts 13:52 • John 4:27 • Philippians 4:7 • Colossians 3:15 7. Prompter and provider of speech • Matthew 10:18-20 • Luke 12:11-12
E. The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) 1. Love, joy, and peace comfort and strengthen us. 2. Patience, gentleness, and goodness help us grow in our relationship with others. 3. Faithfulness, meekness, and self-control help us to become more like Christ in our actions. F. The Gifts of the Spirit 1. A message of wisdom 2. A word of knowledge and understanding 3. Wonder-working faith 4. Extraordinary powers of healing 5. Performing of miracles 6. Prophetic insight (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose) 7. The ability to discern and distinguish between the utterances of true spirits and false ones 8. Different kinds of tongues or languages 9. The ability to interpret tongues or languages 10. Service to others and helping 11. Teaching 12. Encouragement* 13. Giving 14. Leadership 15. Mercy 16. Apostleship
17. Missionary evangelism 18. Pastoring 19. Verses: • 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11 • Romans 12:6-8 • 1 Corinthians 12:28 • Ephesians 4:11
IV.
Christian Character A. Relationship with God and Service to Others1 1. We develop godly qualities through: • Biblical traits o Biblically-identified manifestations of an inward faith in God • Spiritual disciplines 2. Classical church practices are revealed in Scripture and are designed to strengthen a person by the power and presence of God. B. The Biblical Traits in Counseling 1. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol • 1 Corinthians 13 • Galatians 5:22-23 2. Living by the Spirit • Galatians 5:16, 25 3. Longing for God • Psalm 10:17 • Psalm 73:25-26 4. Walking with the Lord • 1 John 1:7 5. Using the armor of God • Eph. 6:10-18
6. Knowledge of God's Word • Josh. 1:8 • Psalm 119 7. Work towards biblical goals • Matthew 6:31-34 • Luke 16:17 8. Giving God the glory • Numbers 14:11-20 • Philippians 1:11 9. Pure in heart • Matthew 5:8 10. Knowing self • Romans 12:3 11. Renewed mind • Romans 12:2 12. Thoughts obedient to Christ • 2 Corinthians 10:5 13. Wisdom • Proverbs • Colossians 3:16 • Ephesians 1:17 14. Discernment • Philippians 1:9-11 15. Prayerful attitude • 1 Thessalonians 5:17 16. Thankfulness • Colossians 3:12-17 17. Hope • 1 Corinthians 13:13
18. Humility • Philippians 2:3-5 • Ephesians 4:2 • Colossians 3:12 • 1 Peter 5:5 19. Self-giving • Philippians 2:5-11 20. Endurance • 2 Timothy 3:10-11 • 2 Timothy 4:5 21. Hunger and thirst for righteousness • Matthew 5:6 22. Biblical morality • James 1:22-25 23. Not practicing worldliness • Romans 12:2 24. Integrity • 1 Kings 9:4 25. Truthfulness • Ephesians 4:25 26. Acceptance • Romans 15:16 27. Respect • John 4:1-15 28. Compassion • Colossians 3:12 29. Meekness • Matthew 5:5 • Matthew 11:28-30 30. Merciful • Matthew 5:7
31. Empathy • Hebrews 4:15 32. Forgiveness • Ephesians 4:32 33. Ability to relate well to others 34. Approachable • 1 Timothy 3:1-3 35. Able to teach • 1 Timothy 2:24 • 1 Timothy 3:2 • 2 Timothy 1:13-14 36. Giving comfort and encouragement • 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 • Psalm 10:17 37. Avoiding quarrels • 2 Timothy 2:23-26 38. Peacemakers • Matthew 5:9 • James 3:18 39. Holding others accountable • Matthew 18:15, 16 40. Confrontation • Matthew 18:15-17 • 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14 41. An example to those served • 1 Timothy 4:12 C. The Spiritual Disciplines in Counseling 1. Prayer • Matthew 6:5-13 • 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
2. Listening prayer • Psalm 130:5-6 • 1 Samuel 3:8-10 3. Praise • Heb. 13:15 4. Scripture: counselor pro-active • 2 Timothy 3:14-17 • Colossians 3:16 5. Obedience • Philippians 2:5-8 • 1 John 5:3 6. Listening and guidance • Ecclesiastes 3:7 • Matthew 13:9, 13 • 1 Corinthians 2:10-12 • James 1:22 7. Being an example • 1 Timothy 4:12, 16 • 1 Peter 5:3 8. Maintaining purity • Romans 12:1-2 9. Thought life • Philippians 4:8 10. Discernment • 1 John 4:1, 6 • Hebrews 5:14 11. Confession/repentance • Psalm 51:1-3 • Acts 20:21 12. Accountability • James 5 • Hebrews 10, 13
13. Growth • Philippians 3:12 14. Wisdom • James 1:5 15. Agape love • 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13 16. Compassion • Matthew 9:36 • Hebrews 13:16 • James 1:27a 17. Forgiveness • Ephesians 4:32 18. Service • Matthew 20:26-28 • 1 Peter 4:10 19. Caring • Luke 10:34-35 • 1 Timothy 3:5 20. Ministering to all needs • Matthew 25:31-46
V.
Shifting Your Focus A. Overview 1. What is your primary focus in a counseling session? 2. Look for the hand of God in every counseling encounter. • You are God’s representative in counseling. • Be in constant communication. • Help others to see a situation from God’s perspective. B. The Spiritual Development of a Counselor 1. Stage one counselor: “What do I say next?”
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“I don’t want to appear foolish.” Focus: self Primary attitude: fear and insecurity Engagement level: mechanics
2. Stage two counselor: “What does the counselee need from me?” • “I want to be able to help.” • Focus: Other • Primary attitude: concern and information • Engagement level: techniques and applied theory “The most difficult lie I have ever contended with is this: life is a story about me.” —Donald Miller 3. Stage three counselor: “Where is God working in this situation and how does He want me to proceed?” • “God is present and this is a divine appointment. What is His Word for this moment?” • Focus: God and His Word • Primary attitude: anticipation and expectation • Engagement level: wisdom “Make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; for if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”—Proverbs 2:2-6 C. Changing Perceptions in Marriage 1. What are you focusing on? • That which is precious? • Or that which is worthless? 2. What does the Bible tell us to focus on? “Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun; for this is your reward in life and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun.”—Ecclesiastes 9:9 “Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth. As a loving hind and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times; be exhilarated always with her love.”—Proverbs 5:18-19
D. Prayer in Counseling 1. Various types of prayer are found in Scripture, and some are germane particularly to a counseling context. 2. Prayer as practicing the presence of God: • Brother Lawrence, the 17th Century Carmelite lay brother, suffered from depression for ten years before finding peace through practicing the presence of God. • He experienced the most profound joy in prayer, not while engaging in formal daily devotions, but while doing his chores as a cook. • “The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer,” said Brother Lawrence. • “And I make it my business only to persevere in His holy presence, wherein I keep myself by a simple attention, and a general fond regard to God, which I may call an actual presence of God; or, to speak better, an habitual, silent, and secret conversation of the soul with God, which often causes me joys and raptures inwardly, and sometimes also outwardly, so great that I am forced to use means to moderate them, and prevent their appearance to others.” 3. Prayer of thanksgiving: • Prayers of thanksgiving for the work of God can be offered in counseling (Psalm 50:23). • As we are blessed with God’s healing in counseling, we need to be careful always to give a prayer of thanks and praise to God. • Of the ten lepers who were healed by Jesus, only one returned to thank Him and receive His blessing. “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.” —Colossians 4:2 “While He was on the way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee. As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him; and they raised their voices, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ When He saw them, He said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they were going, they were cleansed. Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered and said, ‘Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they? Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?’ And He said to him, ‘Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.’”—Luke 17:11-19
4. Prayer of confession and pardon: • Through prayer, we can confess our sin, which lies at the root of our failings (Luke 18:13). “Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge.”—Psalm 51:4 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”—Psalm 51:10 5. Prayer of blessing: • Prayer can invoke a blessing of peace and protection (Numbers 6:22-27). 6. Prayer of petition, intercession, and supplication: • Through prayer, we can present our requests to God (1 Samuel 1:17, Matthew 6:11-13, and Luke 1:13). • We can intercede for others (2 Corinthians 9:14), as Jesus does for us (Luke 22:32, 23:34, John 17:1-26, and Hebrews 7:25). • We can pray for clients who are sick (James 5:14-16), and for freedom from bondage for Christians who suffer for their faith (Acts 12:5). • We can offer a prayer of supplication or entreaty for an urgent need (1 Timothy 5:5 and Hebrews 5:7). • We can even pray for those who wish to harm us (Proverbs 25:21-22, Matthew 5:44, and Luke 6:27-28, 35). 7. Prayer for the right words and opportunity: • Paul asked for prayer on his behalf that he might have the right words to say in proclaiming the Gospel (Ephesians 6:19) and for open doors of opportunity (Colossians 4:3). • Have you ever been in a counseling session when you are caught for a loss of words? • Pray when you need an immediate answer in a situation, such as when Nehemiah was asked by King Artaxerxes why he was so disconsolate (Nehemiah 2:4) or Peter’s cry of help when he was sinking (Matthew 14:30). 8. Prayer of contemplation and listening: • Prayer is not a monologue. It is a two-way street, but a primary component is the importance of listening to God. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”—John 10:27 “Then the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for Your servant is listening.’”—1 Samuel 3:10
9. Prayer of protection: • Vigilance and prayer are needed to protect us from the temptations of this world (Mark 14:38). 10. The power of prayer: • Counseling without prayer is like running without oxygen. • Through prayer, God communicates to us hope and confidence, guidance and assurance, love and presence. • Tertullian said that prayer “amplifies grace” as it nurtures and illuminates our faith and understanding. E. Summary 1. Biblically based counselors must engage and apply Scripture in all areas of their personal life. 2. Biblically based counselors must recognize Scripture as living and powerful in its authority and truth. 3. Biblically based counselors must embrace a biblical worldview. 4. Biblically based counselors must engage and apply the resources of authoritative Scripture (from Genesis to Revelation) in their counseling practice. 5. Biblically based counselors must continually grow in spiritual maturity and faith. 6. Biblically based counselors must pray continually, being in constant communication with the Spirit of God.
Endnote 1Kevin Scott Forrester, “Determining the Biblical Traits and Spiritual Disciplines Christian Counselors Employ in Practice: A Delphi Study,” Ph.D. Dissertation (Fort Worth, Texas: Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2002).