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Discipleship Counseling

In: Philosophy and Psychology

Submitted By mimi7
Words 1472
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Abstract
Neil Anderson’s book, Discipleship Counseling, is packed with information and insight that was inspired by the Holy Spirit on how to help people break free from personal or spiritual bondage and to also find the peace that only Christ can offer. Information is presented in a way that will enable a counselor to be more comfortable, confident and competent in a role as encourager. Knowledge is also shared so the counselor can be the kind of helper that is needed to help people be set free. A tool presented to the counselor is “The Steps to Freedom in Christ” which shows specific methods to discipleship counseling. Chapter themes, such as, “Defining mental health” and “Counseling the Spiritually Oppressed” go into specifics in certain areas that may need to be addressed in the counseling sessions. The information is presented in such a way that the counselor is able to take the information and put it into practice with those who come to them for help.

Summary
Discipleship Counseling by Dr. Neil Anderson (2003) provides the reader with great insight and prepares the counselor to be able to counsel and help those who are in bondage to past hurts and sin. The information in this book also provides counselors with the information to help free people from their emotional pain and spiritual conflicts and guide them to a more complete understanding of who they are in Christ.
Starting with presenting an understanding of the theological issues in counseling and what discipleship counseling is all about, Dr. Anderson shows the steps to make it most effective. “The Steps to Freedom in Christ” is a tool that counselors can use to help people resolve root problems (Anderson, 2003, p. 15). These steps provide ideas give direction to the counselor in how to approach discipleship counseling.
Anderson (2003) brings out that the counseling theme of “defining mental health” is brought into true perspective that the battle for the mind is more than just a neurological disorder or a chemical imbalance (p. 42). It is instead a disorder that can be mended by God and his Word.
The theme of “spiritual warfare” is a major weapon in the battle for the mind against the powers and principalities in the air and is explained well (Anderson, 2003, p. 182). It is also vital when helping those who are fighting mental health problems. “Overcoming Bitterness” presents the relationship between unforgiveness and bitterness (Anderson, 2003, p. 255). This is the point where many people are trapped, unable to find peace and victory in their lives.
The material in this book provides the counselor with a great amount of information that can be used to help those that are bound and hurting. There are many who feel hopeless and desperate to be free.
Discipleship Counseling Paper
Neil Anderson’s (2003) book, Discipleship Counseling, is packed with information and insight that was inspired by the Holy Spirit on how to help people break free from personal or spiritual bondage and to also find the peace that only Christ can offer. Dr. Anderson presented the information in a way that will enable someone to be more comfortable, confident and competent in a role as encourager and to have the knowledge that is needed to be the kind of helper that is needed to help people be set free.
Starting Point
Throughout Discipleship Counseling, the encourager is introduced to theological issues in counseling and what comprises true discipleship. The first few chapters indicate the “starting point” of the counseling sessions with the client. Dr. Anderson shows the steps to help make the discipleship counseling most effective and to provide the starting point of counseling.
One of the specific counseling themes covered in Discipleship Counseling is “Defining Mental Health.” Anderson (2003) points out that many clients know little, if anything, about any mental health issues that many people have (p. 56). In fact, according to Valenstein (2008), most clients are given little and even incorrect information, when it comes to their own or their child’s mental health (p. 38). Anderson (2003) states, “Secular psychiatry can alleviate some suffering related to the natural realm, but without the aid of divine revelation, it can not explain the nature of our problems and prescribe a wholistic answer” (p. 43).
Anderson (2003) also confirms that since secular doctors and psychologists lack Biblical perspectives on mental health, they explain the battle for the mind as a neurological disorder or a chemical imbalance (p. 44). It is reassuring to be reminded that a true knowledge of God and the knowledge of who the person is in Christ will bring about Biblical mental health. After all, God is the Creator and He would definitely know how to bring mental health to the mind. As Anderson (2003) stated, “The greatest cause of so-called mental illness is a distorted concept of God and ourselves” (p. 56). This was so well stated. When a Christian seeks God and repents, true healing can begin to take place in the mind and emotions of the one who suffers.
Tilling the Ground
After the counselee is led through repentance and the plan for counseling is set, the counseling work of “tilling the ground” is begun. “Spiritual warfare” is a vital part of this process. Besides being a vital part in counseling and helping those who need counsel, spiritual warfare is extremely vital when helping those who are fighting mental health problems (Anderson, 2003, p. 181). Since the spiritual world and beings can not be seen with physical eyes, the counselor must rely on the direction of the Holy Spirit when dealing with mental issues. After all, Ephesians 6:12 (King James Version) states, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Recognizing the strategy of the enemy against the mind is a key to overcoming and reversing failed habit patterns and destructive behaviors. Spiritual enemies are extremely adept at planting thoughts in the mind and in watching reactions to see what is accepted and what is rejected. MacArthur & Mack (2004) agrees that those things that the client accepts as fact can be in areas of weakness which will lead to the counselee being bound in sin (p. 32). Even though spiritual warfare is important, Adams (2005) clarifies, “The Church has to be careful not to think that there is a spiritual answer for everything, in the same way that the medical profession must not assume there is a physical answer for everything” (p. 74). There must be a balance and a collaboration of the information that the counselor has gathered and learned from other areas. When indicated, there are tools available for the counselor to use but they need to remember that help for the counselee does not only include spiritual warfare. .
Set the Captives Free
Anderson (2003) points out the necessity of having churches trained in the Right Foundation by the implementation of a discipleship counseling ministry which includes careful screening of potential caregivers, quality training, the development of encouragement groups for the leaders and caregivers (P. 346). This will ensure that the church is equipped with counselors who can “set the captives free.” According to MacArthur & Mack (2004), "Counseling - particularly counseling that skillfully employs and applies God's Word - is a necessary duty of Christian life and fellowship" (p. 53).
Anderson (2003) suggests using the Non-Christian Spiritual Checklist to identify habits and activities throughout the counselee’s life. These steps are called, “The Steps to Freedom in Christ” and are a tool that counselors can use to help people resolve root problems that must be resolved between them and God in order to live victoriously (p. 226). With the help of these steps, a counselee is lead through repentance which helps the person submit to God and resist the devil which will lead to a victorious and peaceful life.
This checklist is supplemented by nine additional questions to identify any involvement in the occult, demonic activities, voices, and other non-Christian religious experiences (Anderson, 2003, pp. 229-231). The counselee must confess and renounce activities involving occult organizations or practices so they may be truly set free. God has called the Christian to seek and save the lost and to be a repairer of the breach. Romans 15:1 (New American Standard Version) states, "Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves."
References
Adams, J. (2005). Competent to counsel. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing.

Anderson, N. (2003). Discipleship counseling. Ventura, CA: Regal Books.

MacArthur, J. & Mack, W. (2004). Introduction to Biblical counseling. Nashville, TN: W
Publishing Group.
Valenstein, E. (2008). Blaming the brain: The truth about drugs and mental health. New York:
The Free Press.

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