The Center for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship, Inc. was established when a group of businessmen saw a need for counseling from God’s Word that was not being met. The Center for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship, Inc. is a non-profit organization that ministers through biblical discipleship/counseling within the body of Christ to all who have need (based on Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 15:14; Galatians 6:1-5). The range of problems which biblical disciplers/counselors deal with is very wide. It includes broken marriages, parent-child relationships, depression, alcohol and drug abuse, tension, turmoil, anxiety, fear, worry, and any number of other problems that may result in mental and physical distress.

For more information read TRAINING OF THE BIBLICAL DISCIPLER/COUNSELOR

TRAINING OF THE BIBLICAL DISCIPLER/COUNSELOR

The Center’s biblical disciplers/counselors are trained in the use of Scripture and its principles for biblical living and are committed to the position that the Scriptures are the only authoritative standard for faith and conduct ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17). They do not base their knowledge on their own or others’ opinions, experience, or concepts of behavior (Isaiah 55:8-11; 2 Timothy 2:15; Titus 2:1); instead, they seek to marshal the full range of biblical truth to bear on the need (Hebrews 4:12). Throughout the discipleship/counseling process, they will hold to the essential truths of Scripture without particular theological emphasis on any practice not specifically advocated in the Scriptures (Titus 2:1). Our disciplers/counselors are certified by the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors (NANC).

A LABOR OF LOVE—The counseling Center serves in a labor of love and the Center’s disciplers/counselors provide their time and energy as a service to God and a labor of love to individuals (based on 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8; 1 Timothy 1:5). Accordingly the Center does not charge a counseling fee. There is a one time $35 administrative fee and if homework and counseling is finished the $35 is refunded if requested.

TEAM DISCIPLESHIP/COUNSELING: A BIBLICAL CONCEPT—Sometimes, you will find that biblical disciplers/counselors work in teams since team discipleship/counseling has many biblical benefits, both for you and the disciplers/counselors (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22; 18:17; 20:18; 24:6; Matthew 18:16). Normally, you will meet with an individual discipler/counselor and we hope to have some teams of disciplers/counselors in the future who will help you as you face, deal with, and endure problems in a way that leads to lasting change in your life. You are a vital member of the team as you seek to overcome the problems in your life. The most important member of the team, however, is the Lord Himself, in the Person of the Holy Spirit. It is He who will provide the hope, the enabling, and the wisdom (through God’s Word) for you to deal with your problems (John 14:26; Romans 5:3-5; 8:26-27; Ephesians 3:16).

LASTING CHANGE AND MATURITY THROUGH BIBLICAL DISCIPLESHIP/ COUNSELING—Biblical disciplers/counselors are committed not only to help you overcome the current problem in your life but also to train you to live all your life in a manner that leads to increasing maturity in the Lord (Psalm 119:165; Proverbs 2:6-12a; Galatians 6:1-5; 1 Timothy 4:7-8; 1 John 5:1-5). Thus, in the scriptural sense, biblical discipleship/counseling is a ministry that teaches you to walk in God’s way even in the midst of serious problems (based on Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 2:2).

CONFIDENTIALITY—A commitment to trustworthiness is an important quality of biblical disciplers/counselors (based on 1 Corinthians 4:2). Thus, although they may talk with others about a particular situation, you may be confident that the discussions will be restricted to whatever is necessary to help you overcome your problems (based on Proverbs 10:18-21; 15:28; 18:8; 25:11).

MEDICAL NEEDS—Biblical disciplers/counselors believe in considering your total health needs. If you require medical assistance, discipleship/counseling will continue at the same time, whenever possible.

ELEMENTS OF BIBLICAL DISCIPLESHIP/COUNSELING—Biblical disciplers/counselors will use their biblical training to help you overcome whatever problem is keeping you from experiencing the peace and joy that God has promised in His Word. Your disciplers/counselors will concentrate on four essential elements from Scripture:

UNDERSTANDING YOUR PROBLEMS BIBLICALLYy—You must apply biblical principles to all of your difficulties, not “fix your feelings” or change your circumstances. Your disciplers/counselors, in a spirit of gentleness, will make inquiry into the various levels of your problems and help you gain a biblical understanding of your difficulties (based on Proverbs 18:13; Isaiah 55:8-9; Mark 7:20-23; Galatians 6:1-4; Hebrews 4:12; James 1:19, 22-25; 4:17).

BIBLICAL HOPE—In Jesus Christ you have a great High Priest who has been tempted in all things, yet without sin (Hebrew 4:14-16). Even though currently you may be going through a difficult test, God has promised that He will not allow any trail in your life that is beyond your endurance. He has promised to provide a way of escape from sin so that you may be able to endure the problem ( 1 Corinthians 10:13). He will use every trial for your good as you respond to it in a biblical manner (Romans 5:3-5; 8:28-29; James 1:2-4).

BIBLICAL CHANGE—In Christ, you can learn how to lay aside the old selfish ways of living and put on the new ways of living in a manner worthy of the Lord (Romans 6:11-13; Ephesians 4:20-24). In changing biblically, you will begin to please the Lord in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:9-12).

BIBLICAL PRACTICE—It is vital that you are a doer of God’s Word and not merely a hearer who forgets what kind of person he is and deludes himself. Only in becoming an effectual doer of the Word will you be blessed in what you do, and only then will your please the Lord (Hebrews 13:20-21; James 1:22-25; 1 John 3:22).

WAITING PERIOD—If a discipleship, counseling team is not immediately available to begin the regular process with you, we will meet with you as soon as possible on a one-time basis. During this meeting, your disciplers/counselors will provide a plan for you to follow while you are waiting for the regularly scheduled meetings. You may be encouraged to attend an ongoing Self-Confrontation course while you are awaiting discipleship/counseling; in this way, you can begin working immediately on solutions to overcome problems.

LENGTH OF REGULAR MEETINGS—Normally, the meetings will last one to one-and-a-half hours each week and will continue for approximately 6-14 weeks. Depending on the nature of the problem and on your response to the Word of God, the number of regular discipleship/counseling meetings may vary somewhat. If the disciplers/counselors do not observe definite change in the first few weeks, they will seek to identify the cause of the failure, discuss it with you, and help you to correct it.

DISCIPLESHIP/COUNSELING APPOINTMENTS—Because effective discipleship/counseling requires consistency and faithfulness in your applying God’s principles, it is important that you reserve the designated time for the regular meetings, barring unforeseen circumstances (based on Luke 14:27-30; 1 Timothy 4:7).

INVOLVEMENT WITH A LOCAL BODY OF BELIEVERS—In order to achieve lasting victory over the problems of life, it is vital that each person become established in a consistent Christian walk. The Lord has provided other believers to help in this process (Hebrews 3:13, 10:24-25). Therefore, it is important that biblical discipleship/counseling meetings be accompanied by church activities that encourage discipleship, worship, and fellowship. If you are part of another church family, we ask you to seek the assistance of your church’s leadership so that you may more fully receive the benefit of all the spiritual resources given to you by God. One of your pastors or other spiritual leaders may even become part of the discipleship/counseling team to provide the most effectual help for you. It is our commitment to do what will best help you walk in obedience to God’s Word an thus to experience victory over your problems.

MATERIALS NEEDED AND EXPECTATIONS—You will need your Bible and writing supplies at all meetings, including the assignments previously assigned. Come with high expectations. You will receive hope and encouragement from the Scriptures even during your first meeting. From then on, as you respond God’s way, you will find trustworthy and biblical answers for the difficulty that prompted you to ask for help