BC 241 Fundamentals of Counseling Final

Mazak, BJU

What are some of the wrong concepts we have of God?

1. Willing waiter

2. Stern task master

3. Traffic cop

4. Impersonal scientist

5. Heavenly grandpa

6. Santa Claus

7. Me

If someone only calls on God when they need something, viewing Him as a servant, what wrong concept of God is that?

willing waiter

If someone thinks that God wants them to earn everything and He demands perfection, viewing Him as ungracious, what wrong concept of God is that?

stern task master

If someone thinks that God is hiding out waiting to catch them breaking the law, viewing Him as unloving, what wrong concept of God is that?

traffic cop

If someone thinks that God is aloof and distracted and believes a relationship with Him is impossible, viewing Him as far away and distant, what wrong concept of God is that?

impersonal scientist

If someone thinks God is always loving and gives us what we want, viewing Him as accepting as sin, what wrong concept of God is that?

heavenly grandpa

If someone thinks God is someone they believe in when they're young, treating God like a myth, what wrong concept of God is that?

Santa Claus

If someone thinks that God understands the nuances of opinions and can be used to affirm what they "know" is to be true, treating Him as made in our image, what wrong concept of God is that?

me

What are the two main characteristics of a correct concept of God?

holy and good

What does holiness mean?

set apart

What are two verses that discuss singing about God's holiness in His presence?

Rev. 4:8; Isa. 6:3 “holy, holy, holy”

Who else is holy?

Jesus Christ (Heb. 7:26)

Is it a requirement or privilege to follow God's example of holiness?

privilege

If you do not believe God is good, what does that mean for you?

you don't know Him

Is God's goodness for a select people?

No, it extends to all (Psa. 145:9)

Does God withhold good things from His children?

No, Psa. 84:11

God is described as what relational figure?

Father

What's the problem we have with God's goodness?

sometimes we reject the good things God wants to give us

What are the Greek words phileo; agapao translated as in the NT?

love

Which of the two Greek words translated as love are used in reference to "friend" in the NT?

philos (noun) or phileo (verb)

God's motivates us to serve Him with all our hearts - regardless of our circumstances, while God's reminds us to serve Him in a way that pleases Him.

goodness; holiness

Do bad things happen to good people?

yes

What are some biblical examples of bad things happening to good people?

Joseph, Job, Jesus

Many people refer to the idea that bad things happen to good people as the " of ____"

problem of evil

What is the rationale behind the problem of evil?

1. If God is good, He wouldn't perform these evils

2. If God is powerful, He wouldn't permit these evils

What are some possible (but not accurate/complete) solutions to the problem of evil?

God is good, but not Sovereign (assumes He's unable to prevent evil) OR God is sovereign but not good (assumes He doesn't want to prevent evil)

In reality with the problem of evil, what 2 absolute truths must we accept?

1. God is truly good

2. God is truly in control

What's the real problem with the problem of evil, according to Mazak?

we often begin with our own experience and seek to interpret the Bible in light of that experience

What's the solution to the real problem with the problem of evil?

begin with the absolute truth of Scripture (a pilot must trust his instruments, regardless of how he feels)

God controls man's what? (Prov. 16:9)

decisions

Nothing happens that the Lord does not what? (Lam. 3:37)

decree/ordain

We must recognize that our every step is only as God _ it (James 4:15)

wills

Are the Lord's plan able to be frustrated?

No, not by any person or power

What's the key phrase for how our loving Father works out all things?

for His glory and our good

What verse is the basis for "for His glory and our good"?

Rom. 8:28

Can man's sin be used for praise?

sure can (Psa. 76:10)

Even the seemingly "bad" things are under His what?

control

What caution do we need to take with the KJV Bible translation when considering seemingly bad things under His control?

it translates evil when it would be better stated as disaster

Did God have a plan for Joseph, Job, and Jesus?

yes!

What are 3 statements about God's plan for every Christian?

1. It's according to His sovereign will

2. It will bring God glory

3. It is for your good

What is something tricky about God's sovereignty?

He is also infinite, which means there are things we can't understand although we affirm the Bible teaches it

Although God can use the sin of man to praise Him, God does not _ man to sin.

cause

God gives man a moral choice and the _ that follows that choice (Acts 2:22-23)

responsibility

How do we often view problems or trials?

as a curse that we seek to avoid at all costs

We sometimes equate peace or a "good life" as being without what?

trouble

Are peace and the absence of problems contingent on each other?

no, peace isn't dependent on circumstances and the absence of problems doesn't guarantee peace

What is a biblical definition of a trial?

a difficulty or challenge the Lord uses to spiritually strengthen us (like lifting weights)

According to James 1:2-12, how are we commanded to respond to trials?

rejoice

We can rejoice that trials help us to develop what?

patient endurance (James 1:3)

We can rejoice that developing endurance helps us to become what kind of believer?

mature (James 1:4)

We can only become mature believers through trials if we respond to them with what?

joy

Trials give us opportunity to be blessed, approved, and receiving the crown of life. SO responding correctly to trials puts us in a what kind of position? (fancy word for blessed)

enviable

What other passage besides James 1:2-12 talks about how God wants us to respond to trials?

1 Peter 1:1-6

What are some of the permanent grounds Christians have for constant rejoicing?

born again, living hope, inheritance (incorruptible, undefiled, permanent)

Our "living hope" or "inheritance" is also our what?

certain salvation

Our trials usually only last for a "_" and are still a "_" part of life.

season (transient); necessary

Our trials demonstrate the what of our faith?

genuineness > results in praise and glory and honor at Christ's return

Trials can be used to provide 3 blessings according to 2 Cor. 1, what are they?

1. We learn to comfort others God's way

2. We learn not to trust in ourselves

3. We enable others to rejoice over answered prayer

Trials provide 4 opportunities, what are they?

1. demonstrate love of Christ

2. give and receive blessings

3. become more like Christ

4. opportunities to please God

KNOW THE ABCD MODEL

BE FAMILIAR WITH THE ABCD MODEL

What's a common excuse in regards to forgiveness?

I don't feel very forgiving

Does forgiving another even though you don't feel like it make you a hypocrite?

no

Is forgiveness a feeling, state of mind, or attitude?

none of them

What is the biblical definition of forgiveness?

a promise to forgive a debt/release from the penalty of offense

What are 3 ways we can express forgiveness as a promise?

1. Not raising the issue unnecessarily to the other person

2. Not raising the issue unnecessarily to others

3. Not raising the issue unnecessarily to yourself

Does forgiveness mean we just have to forget about it?

God only commands us to forgive (not commanded to forget)

How can we forget something we have forgiven?

we only remember what we dwell on. If we promise not to dwell on it, eventually we will not remember

Forgiving is parallel to what concept, and explains how God can forgive but still be omniscient?

not actively remembering/holding it against someone

Our sin is _ to the account of His sinless Son

imputed

Forgiveness involves what rather than faith?

obedience

For the most part, we can only provide forgiveness if the other person does what?

repents (which may require us to rebuke them)

According to Matthew 18:21-25, what characterizes a person who has experienced forgiveness?

they forgive others

What's the process of forgiveness, starting with the problem?

acknowledge the problem > rebuke > repent (turning from sin) > heart change (reflected in behavior) > forgiveness & reconciliation

Can we just minimize the situation and casually "forgive and forget"?

no, God takes sin seriously and tells us how to deal with it

Does the Bible command us to love ourselves?

no

Who does God command us to love, if not ourselves?

Him and our neighbor (OT & NT commands)

Why doesn't the Bible tell us to love ourselves to help with self-esteem?

because it assumes we already do love ourselves

Ephesians 5:29 teaches us what in regards to self-esteem?

everyone already loves himself

Suicide is the ultimate act of what?

self-love

Which illustration given by Jesus tells us what it means to love our neighbor as ourselves?

The good Samaritan

What Greek word refers to volitional love?

agapao

Agapao love is demonstrated how (John 3:16)?

choice, choosing someone not necessarily loveable

What other Greek word refers to the love of a relationship/attachment/affection?

phileo

Every command to love someone in the NT uses which Greek word?

agapao (volitional love of choice)

"self-esteem" emphasizes feeling good about one's self. Does this fit into the concept of agapao love?

no (there's a choice, not a feeling)

Where is the only place in the Bible where "self-love" is mentioned?

2 Timothy 3:1-2

In 2 Tim. 3:1-2, self-love/self-esteem is listed with other sins or virtues?

sins

So if self-esteem/self-love is a sin, what are we supposed to do to build a biblical self-concept?

acknowledge that we must focus on others
repent, not accept
view ourselves the way God views us

How does God view us?

dead in sin, children gone astray, evil hearts YET now adopted children of God through God's grace and based on His loving choice

An accurate biblical self-concept means thinking lowly of ourselves. T/F

False. We must not think too highly or too lowly of ourselves. We must think soberly (Rom. 12:3)

Low self-esteem also counts as _, just as much as high self-esteem

pride

Low self-esteem also counts as a problem of self-____?

pity

Sadness about low self-esteem is the problem or symptom?

symptom

How can we respond biblically to those who are unkind towards us (in the illustration of self-esteem)?

follow Jesus' example (1 Pet. 2:21-23)
overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:14-21)

Is it a sin to be angry?

not always

What 2 categories of people are God angry with?

the wicked, those who turn away from Him

Jesus became angry with whom?

hypocritical Pharisees, those who hinder His work, manifestations of sin

Jesus entered into this anger voluntarily or involuntarily?

voluntarily

Can you be angry and not sin?

yes (Eph. 4:26)

What makes being angry a sin?

the reasoning behind it (why?)