Introduction to Biblical Counseling Final

Explain the tree diagram

Roots

Fruits

Cultivate

Heart

Circumstances

Roots: The fundamental beliefs and motives that cause actions.

Fruits: Actions. Words. Emotions Proverbs 4:29; Mark 7:21-23"You do what you do as an overflow of your heart."

Cultivate: practice/ obedience, put off/ put on, renewal of mind, right worship, right image-bearing.

Heart: Mind, Soul inner man, spirit, desires, loves, affections, cognition, volition, "seat of affection"

Circumstances: The heat. Arguments with a neighbor, Traffic, financial troubles, Hours cut at work, Finals week.

Define the heart from a Biblical standpoint. Study the definitions given. How does this fit together with desires, lusts, etc...?

The heart is the control center of your actions.

It is the seat of the desires.

What are some key passages of scripture related to the heart and key synonyms for the heart?

Proverbs 4:23-27

Matthew 12:34-35

Matthew 22:37

Mark 7:21-23

Hebrews 4:12

James 1:14-15

1 Samuel 16:7

Mind, Soul inner man, spirit, desires, loves, affections, cognition, volition, "seat of affection"

Why are heart issues idolatry?

It is all about worship.

We were made to be worshipers of the true and living God and we turn to other things (other gods).

Heart Issues are false worship.

We can not help but praise the things we value and enjoy.

Explain the religious nature of all human beings.

- We are always worshiping.

- We sacrifice for the things we value.

- We can not sacrifice and praise the things we value.

What does it mean to be an image-bearer?

Genesis 1:26 We are created in the image of God believer and unbeliever alike."The fact that man is in the image of God means that man is like God and represents God." "That which distinguishes human beings from the rest of God's creatures; the human is created in God's own image."

How do I know that something has become idolatrous in my life?

1. Willing to sin to get it.

2. Willing to sin to keep it.

3. Willing to sin if I don't get it.

What is the relationship of right image bearing to right worship?

All of mankind's purpose is to reflect or image God accurately.

Right worship leads to right image-bearing.

Wrong image bearing leads to wrong image bearing

What is a Heart theme and what are certain types of heart themes?

Broader Patterns of sin that result in specific sins.

Comfort, Pleasure, Sports, Control, Entertainment, Food, Education, People, Success, Respect, Justice, Avoidance, Intimacy, Authority, Self Image.

What are the similarities between biblical counseling and discipleship?

Discipleship is fundamentally calling others to be more like Christ or converting and growing towards Godliness.

Biblical counseling is the direct application of God's word.

What is the distinction between mind and brain?

Mind: the soul, inner being, way of thinking, attitude.The mind is not your brain. Thoughts are associated with being in your heart. your mind is your cognition.

Brain: your brain can influence not cause. your brain reacts to your cognition. the brain initiates healing through the mind.

What is dangerous about the theory of chemical imbalance?

Medications are given to regulate chemical imbalances when it's unclear what chemical(s) in your brain is unbalanced; It treats heart issues as mind/body issues.

What are the main points of the article "the expulsive power of a new affection"?

We will not give something up if the object replacing it is inferior. We need to see the overwhelming superiority of God before heart change takes place. We need to delight in God and see him as superior.

What is the process of Biblical change?

Put off.

Be renewed.

Put on.

What are the 5 Axioms of Biblical Counseling?

1. The goal of biblical counseling is greater Christlikeness to the glory of God, resulting in better image bearing.

2. Man's actions are an overflow of his heart, not his body, his past, or his environment.

3. To accept unbiblical beliefs about man will inevitably lead one to unbiblical methods for helping man.

4. The scriptures are to be the lens through which we see the world and by which we measure truth--making them epistemically authoritative.

5. God gives every believer the resources they need to honor Him in every circumstance.

What are the common foundations for epistemic authority? What is the right foundation?

Senses

Science

Scripture

What is the difference between general and special revelation and their relationship?

General Revelation: The knowledge of God's existence, character, and moral law that comes through creation to all humanity.

Special Revelation: God's word addressed to specific people at specific times, including the words of the Bible.

General revelation shows the need for Special Revelation,

Special revelation explains General Revelation.

What is the provided definition for the sufficiency of Scripture?

(Know it word for word)

God has provided in his words all that man needs to know concerning life and how to live a Godly life.

What is the doctrine of the sufficiency of scripture? and which passages teach this doctrine?

The scriptures are not exhaustive but rather they are sufficient to tell us about how to live life in a Godly way.

2 Peter 1:3

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Galatians 1:8-9

2 Thessalonians 2:2

Who is obligated to do the work of biblical counseling?

We as Christians are called to call others to repentance.

What is the role of environment from a biblical perspective?

Shaping influence of your life.

Environments shape not determine.

What are passages of Scripture that we used to discuss environment?

1 Corinthians 5:6, 11, 13, 15:33, 1 Kings 11:2, Proverbs 13:20, Matthew 5:29-30, Psalm 115:8.

What is the importance of a person's past from a biblical perspective?

- A person's past has a significant influence on the development of his "manner of life."

- No person is a helpless victim whose present "manner of life" is determined by his past.

- A person creatively interacts with and interprets past events while incorporating his interpretations into his "manner of life" either positively or negatively. Two people may experience the same event and yet respond to it quite differently because of the way they have learned to interpret their circumstances.

- No person perfectly interprets or reproduces what has happened to him in the past. Every person, because of finiteness and fallenness, practices a bit of reconstruction.

- The Christian should seek to interpret his past as coming from God and for God's glory.

What are the four categories of a person's past?

In past memories/incidents...

Guilty

Innocent

How are you responding now?

Christlike

Sinfully