Sufferers, Sinners, and Saints: an Overview of Christian Counseling

Instructor: Dr. Andrew H. Selle (assisted by Mrs. Dawna S. Selle)
Time: Mondays, Wednedays and Fridays 18:00-20:00, starting from October 19 , 2020 – October 19th, 21st, 23rd, 26th, 28th, 30th.

Place: Every participant connects to online live lectures (Zoom) from their homes. Registered students will receive the link.
(In English, with simultaneous translation in Latvian)

Course description

God calls the church to minister his Word to both the church and the world, and church leaders must encourage and train the whole church for this task. This work of the gospel takes place publicly by ordained preachers, but also “house to house” (Acts 20:20; 1 Thes 5:14). We call this private ministry of the Word “counseling.” It is a Scripture-based ministry to “sufferers, sinners, and saints.” Christians are all three at the same time, and that means we need comfort, direction, and a clear understanding of our true identity. Today’s church needs counselors who deeply know God’s grace, whose own lives are being transformed by the Word, and who can therefore wisely and lovingly apply the Scriptures to others. This course will give an overview of some key biblical principles for Christian counseling, and we hope that class participants will learn them and personally apply them.

INSTRUCTORS

Andrew: Director of Christian Counseling & Mediation, a ministry based in New England in the USA. Ordained (1984) as a pastor in an evangelical Presbyterian church. Membership in the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors. D.Min. (1985) & M.Div. (1979) Westminster Theological Seminary, A.B. Oberlin College (1973).

Dawna: Counselor, educator, and musician. Certificate with Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation. B.A. Mus. Ed. (1977) Temple University.

Andrew and Dawna are both Certified Christian Conciliators® with the Institute for Christian Conciliation and serve together in marriage counseling, conflict resolution, and teaching.

TOPICS TO BE COVERED

1. Course Introduction, Goals, and Methodology

A. Theological Foundation: Counseling and our Identity; Counseling and a Christian Worldview; Counseling and Sanctification
B. Explanation of Course Requirements and the Self-Counseling Project

2. Change through Counseling

A. Change on Every Level: Making Sense of the Data of Life
B. Change from the Heart: Idols vs. the Living God
C. Change in Life’s Storms: Climate, Fruit, and Root

3. Specific Issues in Counseling

A. Overcoming Anger and Bitterness
B. Overcoming Fear and Worry
C. Other Issues (The instructor may address other issues of special interest to class participants)

4. Peacemaking in Marriage and Family [Saturday seminar]

A. A Biblical Roadmap in Conflict
B. Resolving Conflict Biblically: 1. Marriage 2. Children

5. United Decision-Making in the Church

A. Unique Features and Practical Tools
B. Course Conclusion