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What is Nouthetic Counseling?
Compassionate
Counselors, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 ministry committed to a “nouthetic” approach
to Biblical Counseling.
The term "Nouthetic" Counseling comes from the Greek verb "noutheteo" (or the
noun "nouthesis") and means "to admonish, to warn, to teach or to counsel." The word is found in numerous passages
of Scripture and describes the manner in which we are to counsel and help other
Christians. Biblical (nouthetic) Counseling
seeks to change the heart, not just alter behavior (Mk. 7:21-23; Prov. 4:23).
Nouthetic Counseling
aims at the Sanctification of the individual.
The goal in all nouthetic,
or Biblical Counseling is “sanctification.”
This means that we must desire not simply outward behavioral change, but inner change
of the heart so that we are more like the character of Jesus Christ.
This is God’s will for every person’s life (1 Thes. 4:3).
This not only glorifies God the most, but also brings the most lasting joy
to a believer. We don't want to help
someone, for instance, just to make their marriage better by giving them techniques
to keep peace in the home. We desire
change so that Jesus Christ is glorified by the change that God brings about in
the person’s heart (Rom. 8:28-29).
God uses the body of Christ, not just Pastors and church leaders to accomplish His
purposes (though Pastors and church leaders must take the lead in this).
Nouthetic Counseling
is Compassionate in nature.
In
Acts 20:31 (for a period of 3 years I did not cease to admonish1 each one with tears),
we discover that this form of counseling must be motivated by compassion. It is
a ministry that springs from a heart of mercy and love.
Even though Paul “admonished” people, he did so with tears of compassion. In Gal. 6:1-2 we see this mercy displayed
through “gently” seeking to “restore” those struggling in sin.
This is not self-righteous gloating, but a sincere desire to assist and “bear
one another’s burdens.” In this way
we are proving to “fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2) and love one another as
Jesus Christ loves His people (Jn. 13:34).
There is deep involvement in the lives of those struggling; not a "professional
detachment" from them or their problems.
This compassion must be accompanied by an appeal to change into conformity with
God’s Word; otherwise this "admonition" becomes empty sentimentalism.
Nouthetic Counseling
recognizes God's Word as the ultimate authority.
A
key aspect of nouthetic counseling is the conviction that Scripture is sufficient
to address any and every problem of life.
There is an intimate connection between nouthetic counseling and "teaching" as can
be seen from several passages. Col
1:28 says "We proclaim (Jesus), admonishing every man and teaching every man…so
that we may present every man complete in Christ."
It is not just listening to people's problems and asking them "what do you
think?" It involves giving counsel
from the Scriptures that directs believers to not only see things that need changing
in their lives (admonish) but also how they are to change (teach).
Furthermore, this passage highlights the goal of sanctification mentioned
earlier (complete in Christ). Col 3:16
likewise links together this dual emphasis on "teaching and admonishing" the saints. They are both integral aspects of nouthetic
counseling. The same text reminds us
that this is only possible insofar as "the Word of Christ richly dwell(s) within
you."1 Nouthetic Counseling urges the struggling
saint to constantly reflect upon the Scriptures.
Nouthetic Counseling
is completely dependent upon the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Nouthetic counseling
also recognizes the essential importance of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. We believe that no man, no matter how
godly or educated, is capable of giving God-glorifying counsel without the ministry
of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God
uses the Scriptures as His authority (not the counselor’s opinions, experience,
or education). The Spirit of God opens
the heart to comprehend the Scriptures (Jn. 16:7-11) and also convinces us that
it is true (Jn. 14:16-17). He is the
One who guides us in making application of the Scriptures in life (Jn. 16:13; Rom.
8:26-27). His goal is to see Jesus
Christ glorified through counseling (Jn. 16:14).
Without His ministry, the Bible will appear to be “ink on trees” (you will
never understand it, apply it or see God’s glory without the Holy Spirit – 1 Cor.
2:10-14). This is why we view the Holy
Spirit as being of more importance than the counselor himself.
Nouthetic Counseling
is a ministry of the Community of saints to one another, not just the ministry of
specialists.
One common mistake
in counseling is to make it into a "professional" ministry.
How often have you heard Christians say, "he needs professional help"? The Scriptures remind us that counseling
is not merely a professional ministry.
It is to be practiced by all of the body of Christ.
In fact, everyone does counsel other believers – some with faithfulness to
the gospel, some by minimizing the gospel.
Both Pastors and laymen are to be involved in nouthetic counseling (Pastors should
"equip" their people in this area - Eph 4:12).
In Rom 15:14, Paul is confident that these believers are "…full of goodness,
filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another."
It is godly character, coupled with knowledge of the Word of God and complete
dependence upon the Holy Spirit that makes a Christian a suitable counselor.
Believers in the church
are exhorted to "admonish the unruly" fellow Christian within the church (1 Thes
5:14). This is actually the "brotherly"
way to treat a fellow believer: "admonish him as a brother" (2 Thes 3:15).
The implication is that if we do not practice this kind of "nouthetic" care
for one another then we are not being good brothers and sisters with one another. Even in the family relationship, parents
are to raise their children by "bring(ing) them up in the discipline and instruction
of the Lord" (Eph 6:4). In this passage
the nouthetic ministry is described as "instruction."
This reminds us that teaching and guidance are integral to the nouthetic
ministry of the Lord’s people.
Nouthetic Counseling
views our Hope in Jesus Christ as integral to Biblical Counseling.
In 1 Cor. 10:13, we
are reminded that our struggles and temptations in life are common to man and that
our ultimate hope rests in the faithfulness of God to train us through them. You are not alone in your struggles
since others have struggled just like you have and God has given them grace to change. God Himself is central to all nouthetic
counseling, not incidental. Nouthetic
counseling recognizes that the ultimate hope of man must not be on counseling techniques
or theories, but on our sovereign and good Lord God.
Struggling men and women must be directed to “hope in God” (Psalm 42:5; 43:5)
and not in their counselor or in their own resources.
Nouthetic (biblical) Counseling always directs people to Jesus Christ as
the One in whom they should place their hope, not the nouthetic counselor.
In summary then, Nouthetic
Counseling incorporates Sanctification as its goal, is filled with Compassion for
suffering individuals, uses the Scriptures as our authority and source with dependence
upon the Holy Spirit, and sees our ultimate Hope residing in Jesus Christ Himself. Our desire is that we would have the
privilege of ministering to you and helping to equip you to utilize the Scriptures
in counseling in such a way that they are "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 Tim 3:16-17).
Nouthetic Counseling:
- Views Sanctification as the ultimate goal
- Exercises Compassionate care for all people
- Uses God’s Word as its authority to teach God’s
Will for any life problem
- Recognizes our full dependence upon the Holy Spirit
- Sees counseling as the ministry of the Local Church,
not of specialists
- Gives Hope in Jesus Christ to the struggling.
1 In each of the passages cited the term "admonish"
is the Greek noun or verb from which we get the term "nouthetic" counseling.
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