Dr. Lawyer, I found your email address while looking through the website for Center for Biblical Counseling, and I’d like to ask your professional advice about a matter, if you don’t mind assisting a colleague. My question for you: what’s your approach when you encounter non-believers who are clearly in a Proverbs 1 crisis for […]
S.W.O.R.D. A Diagnostic Tool
S: Strengths—Identifying strengths: What have we done and are we doing well in Ephesians 4 ministry? W: Weaknesses—Recognizing weaknesses: Where and why do we need to improve in Ephesians 4 ministry? O: Opportunities—Picturing opportunities: How can we move toward robust Ephesians 4 ministry? R: Risks—Evaluating risks: What obstacles stand in the way of healthy Ephesians […]
Hunger to know God
The single greatest contribution you can make to a group is your own passionate pursuit of God. This is true for two reasons. As you diligently study God’s Word, pray, worship, confess sin, witness to non-Christians, and cultivate the various expressions of a healthy Christian faith, your zeal will influence the entire group. Your passion […]
Draw Our Life From His Smile
God formed us for Himself. The shorter catechism, ‘Agreed upon by the Reverend Assembly of Divines at Westminster,’ as the old New England Primer has it, asks the ancient questions what and why and answers them in one short sentence hardly matched in any uninspired work. ‘Question: What is the chief End of Man? Answer: […]
Take Advantage of Ready-Made Opportunities
“I prepare for my small group with two things in mind: first, what issue in my life is God bringing to my attention—a sin or temptation, a trial, an opportunity or decision, confusion over some issue. I come ready and willing to open my life and receive input on this issue. As a practical matter, […]
The Message Is The Same
“Christ’s understanding, diagnosis, and prescription are the same. The people He engages, however, are incredibly different. This is why Jesus’ interactions—His personal ministry of the Word, His way of speaking and living gospel truth in love—are unique to each. He models for us that the message is the same, but the methods and means of […]
Give Up Our Heart’s Toys
“Father, I want to know Thee, but my coward heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try to hide from Thee the terror of the parting. I come trembling, but I do come. Please root from my heart all Those things which I […]
HOUSE RULES FOR GOD’S FAMILY
Be at peace with each other (Mk 9:50) Love one another (Jn 13:34) Be joined to one another (Ro 12:5) Be devoted to one another (Ro 12:10 Honor one another (Ro 12:10) Rejoice with one another (Ro 12:15) Weep with one another (Ro 12:15) Live in harmony with one another (Ro 12:16) Accept one another […]
Starting A Counseling Ministry
The wisest way to avoid these two ditches [moving too slowly, and not being prepared enough] is to follow an unhurried but steady pace, focused on organizing the organism. We have to be a community before we can reach our community. We have to minister to one another during the launch process if we want […]