1. Describe the inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of Scripture as well as the relationship of each one of these issues to one another.

Lecture: Inspiration, Inerrancy, Authority

Article: Inerrancy and Authority

2. Describe the sufficiency of Scripture. Relate the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture to the practice of biblical counseling. Research and respond to the arguments of at least one integrationist or Christian Psychologist regarding the insufficiency of Scripture for counseling.

Lecture: Sufficiency

Article: The Sufficiency of Scripture

3. Describe your position on the nature of continuing revelation (i.e., prophecy, tongues, words of knowledge). In particular, explain whether you believe prophecy is a present gift in today’s church. Explain the relationship between your understanding of the gift of prophecy and the sufficiency of Scripture.

Lecture: Signs, Gifts, and Revelation (covers theology questions 3 and 4)

Article: Is Prophecy Active Today?

Article: What Does Prophecy Offer that Scripture Does Not?

4. Define general revelation and special revelation and describe the nature of their authority as well as their relationship to one another.

Lecture: Signs, Gifts, and Revelation (Optional - different lecture covering the same material)

Article: General and Special Revelation 1

Article: General and Special Revelation 2

5. Explain the doctrine of common grace as it relates to the limitations of secular psychologists in understanding true information about the human condition.

Lecture: Anthropology and Psychology (covers theology questions 5 and 6)

Article: When Secular Counseling Succeeds

6. Explain the doctrine of the noetic effects of sin as it relates to the limitations of secular psychologists in understanding true information about the human condition.

Lecture: Anthropology and Psychology (covers theology questions 5 and 6)

Article: Noetic Effects of Sin

7. Explain the doctrine of the Trinity, and provide its biblical basis.

Lecture: Trinity

Article: The Doctrine of the Trinity: No Christianity Without It

8. Explain each of the following attributes of God describing the practical implications of each attribute for life and counseling: wrath, mercy, holiness, omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence.

Lecture: God's Attributes

Article: The Attributes of God

9. Explain, using biblical categories, your understanding of the image of God in man.

Lecture: Imago Dei / Anthropology (covers theology questions 9 and 10)

Article: Imago Dei

10. Provide a biblical description of the dichotomist view of mankind. Explain the counseling implications of this doctrine with regard to the inner and outer man.

Lecture: Imago Dei / Anthropology (covers theology questions 9 and 10)

11. Describe the biblical understanding of manhood and womanhood from both an egalitarian and complementarian perspective. Explain which view you embrace and outline why you believe it to be the most biblical.

Lecture: Complementarian vs. Egalitarianism

Article: Complementarianism vs. Egalitarianism

12. Describe the dual natures of Jesus Christ and explain why this reality is crucial for salvation.

Lecture: Hypostatic Union and Atonement (covers theology questions 12 and 13)

Article: How Can Jesus Be God and Man?

13. Provide an explanation of and the biblical basis for the doctrine of substitutionary atonement, explaining the implications of this doctrine for human guilt over sin.

Lecture: Hypostatic Union and Atonement (covers theology questions 12 and 13)

Article: Why Is The Substitutionary Atonement Necessary?

14. Explain what it means to trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.

Lecture: Faith and Justification (covers theology questions 14 and 15)

Article: What Does "Sola Fide" Mean?

15. Provide an explanation and biblical defense of justification.

Lecture: Faith and Justification (covers theology questions 14 and 15)

Article: 10 Key Verses on Justification

16. Define faith in biblical terms explaining its relationship to justification and sanctification.

Lecture: Distinguish Justification and Sanctification (covers theology question 19 as well)

17. Describe the role of repentance in beginning and continuing in the Christian life. Explain the importance of the doctrine of repentance for biblical counseling.

Lecture: Repentance and Lordship

18. Describe the doctrine of Union with Christ explaining its biblical basis and implications for Christian living.

Lecture: Union with Christ and Synergism (covers theology questions 18 and 20)

Article: What Is Union With Christ?

19. Explain the biblical categories of past, present, and future sanctification.

Lecture: Distinguish Justification and Sanctification (covers theology question 16 as well)

Article: Sanctification

20. Explain the synergistic nature of sanctification being sure to describe the relationship between God’s grace and moral effort in the Christian life.

Lecture: Union with Christ and Synergism (covers theology questions 18 and 20)

Article: No Shortcuts to Growth

21. Explain the role of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life describing the importance of this role in the counseling process.

Lecture: Role of the Holy Spirit

Article: The Work of the Holy Spirit in Counseling

22. Provide your understanding of how the Holy Spirit guides Christians in the decisions they make today.

Lecture: Holy Spirit "Speaking"

23. Provide a biblical description of the church.

Lecture: Ecclesiology and Counseling (covers theology questions 23 and 24 and counseling question 10)

Article: What Is The Church?

24. What role should the church play in the counseling process?

Lecture: Ecclesiology and Counseling (covers theology questions 23 and 24 and counseling question 10)

Article: The Local Church is THE Place for Biblical Counseling

1. What issues should be covered in an introductory session with a counselee regardless of the counseling issue? Explain the importance of each issue.

Lecture: First Session and Involvement (covers counseling questions 1 and 2)

Article: How I Begin the First Counseling Session

2. Describe at least six biblical strategies to develop a caring relationship with your counselees. Clearly identify each strategy and ground its use in specific passages of Scripture, explaining its practical utility in building a relationship.

Lecture: First Session and Involvement (covers counseling questions 1 and 2)

3. Provide a biblical theology of emotions. What role should a counselor allow a counselee’s emotions to play in counseling? How can one tell the difference between sinful emotions and righteous emotions? How would you use Scripture to help a counselee change improper emotions?

Lecture: Biblical Theology of Emotions

4. Provide a biblical definition of anger. Describe manifestations of anger in both the inner and outer man. Explain the biblical factors that drive anger. Detail several biblical strategies to respond to anger.

Lecture: Anger

5. Provide a biblical definition of depression. Describe manifestations of depression in both the inner and outer man. Explain the biblical factors that drive depression. Detail several biblical strategies to respond to depression.

Lecture: Depression

6. Provide a biblical definition of anxiety and fear. Describe manifestations of anxiety and worry in both the inner and outer man. Explain the biblical factors that drive anxiety and fear. Detail several biblical strategies to respond to anxiety and fear.

Lecture: Anxiety and Fear

7. List several reasons for concluding a counseling case. For each, describe how you would go about ending the counseling.

Lecture: End of Counseling and Confidentiality (covers counseling questions 7 and 11)

8. Describe in biblical categories the operations of the devil. Is there a difference between Believers and unbelievers regarding the activity of the devil? What is a biblical methodology for responding to the demonic in the context of counseling?

Lecture: The Devil

9. Define, describe, and provide a biblical evaluation of each of the following: 12 step recovery programs, cognitive-behavioral therapy, the biogenic theory of mood disorders, and electroconvulsive therapy.

Lecture: Psychology Philosophies: A Case Study (covers counseling questions 9 and 17)

10. Describe the role you believe church discipline should play in biblical counseling.

Lecture: Ecclesiology and Counseling (covers theology questions 23 and 24 and counseling question 10)

11. Describe what you believe to be the role of confidentiality in biblical counseling. What kind of commitment to confidentiality should a biblical counselor make? What biblical and practical considerations limit confidentiality? What is the responsibility of a biblical counselor to report to civil authorities on matters of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and other illegal matters? How should biblical counselors cooperate with the authorities about these things?

Lecture: End of Counseling and Confidentiality (covers counseling questions 7 and 11)

12. [Erik] Assume that the information you have here is a straightforward presentation of the facts and write down the homework assignments you want Erik to complete after this first meeting with you. After you list the homework explain the specific issues you will address with Erik in counseling sessions. Please include the categories of “put off” and “put on” in your answer.

Lecture: Data/ Strategy / Homework (covers counseling questions 12, 14, 19 and 20)

13. [Sarah] How would you respond to this question? Write out your answer exactly as you would provide it to Sarah.

Lecture: Counseling and Medication (covers counseling questions 13 and 15)

14. What means would you use to find out more information about Sarah’s current problem? What information would you seek?

Lecture: Data/ Strategy / Homework (covers counseling questions 12, 14, 19 and 20)

15. Carefully describe whether and how you would want to work with a physician to help Sarah through this ordeal? As part of your answer to this specific question describe, in general terms, how you believe biblical counselors should cooperate with medical professionals.

Lecture: Counseling and Medication (covers counseling questions 13 and 15)

16. [Tim and Emily] Using biblical categories, what considerations should be made relating to Emily’s safety? What practical steps can be taken to ensure Emily’s safety?

Lecture: Repentance and Lordship

17. How will you decide whether to pursue Tim and Emily as believers or unbelievers? What difference will their status as Christians make in your counseling?

Lecture: Psychology Philosophies: A Case Study (covers counseling questions 9 and 17)

18. Emily is “Convinced that God is telling her to divorce Tim.” Write out your word-for-word response to Emily on this matter. In your response, be sure to address the themes of biblical decision-making and permission for divorce and remarriage.

Lecture: Holy Spirit "Speaking"

19. What strategy would you employ to see repentance, reconciliation, and restoration happen between Tim and Emily?

Lecture: Data/ Strategy / Homework (covers counseling questions 12, 14, 19 and 20)

20. Tim believes his recent psychiatric diagnosis is a life-long disease and is to blame for his behavior towards his wife. Write out your word-for-word response to Tim on this matter. In your response, be sure to address the themes of biblical responsibility and self-control.

Lecture: Data/ Strategy / Homework (covers counseling questions 12, 14, 19 and 20)