Dispense or Minister The Word

It is important for a counselor to actively pursue a knowledgeable relationship with the person he counsels. He must get involved in his friend’s life and gather appropriate data. Otherwise he will simply dispense the Bible instead of ministering it. This is what makes for good discipleship. Counseling is a type of discipleship that is problem-focused. It stands to reason that merely teaching truth from the Bible correctly is insufficient if the counselor misunderstands the counselee and his problem (John D. Street, Men Counseling Men, A Biblical Guide to the Major Issues Men Face, p. 55.)