Paul's gospel is deeply theological, but it is also eminently practical. The Good News of Jesus Christ is intended to transform a person's life. Until individual Christians own and live out the theology, the gospel has not accomplished its purpose. Paul has briefly touched on the practical significance of what he writes throughout Romans 1-11. But beginning in chapter 12 Paul turns his full attention on the ethical implications of the gospel.” (393) The process of sanctification is constant.
Introduction: A. Attention Getter: According to John Townsend, Ph.D., Christian Counseling or in other words Christian Therapy is defined as an active and specific involvement in your sanctification it’s not If about restoring your innocence; it’s about redeeming you. Some people come to counseling because they want to restore life to the way it used to be. B. Reason to Listen: Good Christian counseling combines modern methods of counseling with scriptural principles, using biblical truths as the reference point for integration.
This should be done by individuals that experience the love of Christ in their lives on a daily basis. Having knowledge of God’s word is one thing; living by God’s word is completely different all together, and would better position those employed to mirror what Godly principals the school stands
The “core skills” demonstrated are noted in the way the Christian counselor: * Urge the counselee through responsive behaviors that range from “comforting,” “consoling,” “encouraging,” and “beseeching,” or “admonishing.” * Warn the client through a “confrontational style of directive challenge to root out sin and follow the right path” (as sited in Clinton & Ohlschlager, 2005). In other words help point the counselee in the right direction. * Encourage the counselee to step out their comfort zone, and learn new ways according to Christ (step out on FAITH). As well, comforting the counselee in moments of deep grief. * Help someone who is weak and in need of assistance, as well support them spiritually.
The only way for a client to change is to truly accept God and allow Him to lead them in His direction and in His time. As stated in 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." God changes us all when we believe and follow in Him. He is the ultimate healer of all problems. The Human Personality It is important to understand how the human personality works in order to be able to counsel the client.
But in chapter 12, Paul begins to take a more in depth look at how Christians ought to behave and act. Prior to this section, Paul speaks of orthodoxy, but nor begins to look at orthopraxy. Moo mentions, “All theology is practical, and all practice, if it is truly Christian, is theological. Paul’s gospel is deeply theological, but it is also eminently practical. The good news of Jesus Christ is intended to transform a person’s life.” The power of the gospel is the force which drives sanctification in the lives of those who follow Christ.
A Study of Godly Ethics The Principles of a Biblical Worldview The Bible establishes the guidelines of God's ethical boundaries for all Christ followers. On some issues, God's Word speaks explicitly; however, there is less clarity in other matters and more need for discernment. As Christians learn, accept, and live the reality of Christ, they move towards a life of godliness.1 Through this process, Christians can begin to discern more clearly and live out a biblical worldview.2 Christ followers should be characterized by truth.3 If they are to be characterize by truth, what truth is must be interpreted. In John 17:17, Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them by the truth, your word is truth.” God has expressed Himself through Scripture; His Word is true, reliable, eternal, and the sacred authority.4 The Bible is the very word of God and should be the starting point for all thinking.5 Jesus also said that He is the truth.6 Jesus exemplifies wisdom and knowledge.7 God loves His creation enough to tell them how to live and promises to give understanding to those who seek Him.8 The root of man's dilemma often comes from not seeking God or misinterpreting the nature of God's truth.9 “The reason so few people act like Christians is that they do not think like Christians.”10 How then does one begin to think like a Christian? Christianity should be seen as the outline for godly decision making and a strategy for daily living.11 The Word of God has the final jurisdiction and is pertinent for the choices that Christians must make, many of which have moral consequences.
Limitations of the Counseling Theory James Crabb form of counseling is broad but yet profound. It allows counselors to get a basic understanding of how the relationship of the counselor and client should be through the word of God. Dr.Crabb steps are “encourage expression of emotions surrounding the belief, Supported client as he considers changing his assumptions, teach the client what to feel his mind with the tape recorder technique, Plan and carryout biblical behavior, Secure commitment, And clarify biblical thinking.”
Effective missionaries are lifelong learners of culture, working to understand where their people currently are so they can lead them to a true, yet truly enculturated, understanding of the grace and truth of Jesus Christ. They understand that the core of the Good News can come wrapped in different packages and expressions. That is all to say, this book by Reggie McNeal resonates with my passion for people with a missional faith. That we should be more missional. To survive as a church in this modern western world, we need a huge paradigm shift of being missional.
EXPERIENTIAL APOLOGETICS Judi Fall Introduction to Apologetics /APOL500 February 7, 2010 INTRODUCTION Likely, the most important thing you can do, as a Christian, is to share the gospel with others. Whether you are a Christian or are not, you need to hear the gospel. But that being said, it is easier said than done. There are those who will be willing to hear and those who will not. Being able to give an answer to everyone who asks is known as apologetics, which means to “give an answer.” 1{Hindson, Caner, 28} Paul said in 1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.