Lay Biblical Counseling

Otterbein Church provides lay Biblical counseling to those interested in working on the challenges of life from a Biblical perspective. Following is information about the Biblical counseling ministry.

Biblical Counseling is a Ministry

Biblical counseling is a ministry that all committed believers within the body of Christ are to have toward all who have need (based on Matthew 28:19-10; Romans 15:14; Galatians 6:1-5). The range of problems with which Biblical counselors deal is very broad. It includes broken marriages, parent-child relationships, depressions, alcohol and drug abuse, tension, turmoil, anxiety, fear, worry, and any number of other problems resulting in mental and physical distress.

Professional vs. Lay Counseling

Otterbein Church's counseling ministry is done by lay persons from the Otterbein Church who are trained in the use of the Bible and the principles of Biblical counseling. Our counselors are committed to the belief that the Bible provides the only authoritative guide for a relationship with God and with other persons (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Our counselors do not base their counseling knowledge on their own opinion, experiences, or concepts, nor do they base them on the opinions, experiences, or concepts of others. Modern therapeutic techniques and principles of psychology are not used as a part of the counseling and our counselors in no way claim to be “professional” nor are they “professionally” trained. Otterbein's counselors are trained by the pastoral staff and lay leaders within the counseling ministry. Our counselors use only the Bible as the basis of their counseling and are trained in Biblical principles which apply to the full range of problems and issues men, women, and children face in a contemporary culture. Otterbein's counseling does not advocate any specific theological emphasis or any practice not specifically addressed in the Bible.

Focus & Fees of the Biblical Counselor

Biblical counselors provide their time and energy as a service to God and as a ministry and expression of love to others (based on I Thessalonians 2:7-8; I Timothy 1:5). Therefore, each counselor serves without any charge or fee, or any financial requirement, actual or implied.

Team Counseling

At Otterbein, counseling through our counseling ministry is always done in teams. Team counseling has many practical benefits and is supported by Biblical teaching (Proverbs 11:14, 15:22, 18:17, 20:18, 24:5; Matthew 18:16). Normally, sessions are conducted by a team of counselors with one responsible for leading the team and one or two others assisting. There may also be times when a leader in the counseling ministry or one of the pastors may sit in on the session.

Counselees are also vital members of the team as they seek to solve the problems in their lives. The most important member of the team, however, is the Lord Himself, in the Person of the Holy Spirit. He is the One who will provide the hope, enabling, and the wisdom through God's Word to solve problems (John 14:26; Romans 5:3-5, 8:26-27; Ephesians 3:16).

Biblical Counseling is Discipleship

Biblical counselors are committed not only to help you overcome the current problem in your life but also to train you to live all your life in a manner that leads to increasing growth and maturity in the Lord (Psalm 119:165; Proverbs 2:6-12a; Galatians 6:1-5; I Timothy 4:7-8; I John 5:1-5). Thus, in a scriptural sense, Biblical counseling is a ministry of discipleship that teaches you to walk in God's way in the midst of any problem (based on Matthew 28:19-20; I Timothy 1:5; II Timothy 2:2). During the counseling period, one of the counselors will talk with you on a weekly basis between the counseling sessions. Often, this same counselor will continue to contact you to be of further help and encouragement after counseling has been completed.

Confidentiality

Trustworthiness is an important commitment and quality of our Biblical counselors. At the same time, it is important that you understand that your Biblical counselor may talk with the pastor, elders or other members of the church leadership team about your particular situation if they are in a position to give insight or guidance in helping address your situation. It should be clear that no information will be shared with others outside of the counseling team beyond what is necessary to help solve your problems and help you respond in a Biblical manner. Furthermore, if any member of the counseling team or leadership is called to testify in court, the counselor will not withhold information asked of them.

Medical Needs & Biblical Counseling

Biblical counselors believe in considering the total health needs of the counselee. Your counselor may recommend that you have a full or specified medical examination at your expense. If medical assistance is required, counseling will continue at the same time, whenever possible. Biblical counselors are not members of the medical profession and do not give medical opinions on the use of medications or other medical issues.

Elements of Biblical Counseling

Your counselor will use all of his Biblical counseling training and skill to help you solve whatever problem is depriving you of the peace and joy that God has promised in His Word. Your counselor will concentrate on four essential elements from Scripture:

Understanding Your Problem – because of the need to apply Biblical principles to all of your difficulties, not just “fix your feelings” or change your circumstances. Your counselor, in a spirit of gentleness, will make Biblical inquiry into the various levels of your problems and help you gain God's perspective on your difficulties (based on Proverbs 18:13; Isaiah 55:8-9; Mark 7:20-23; Romans 5:3-5, 8:28-29; Galatians 6:1-4; Hebrews 4:12; James 1:2-4, 19, 22-25, 4:17).

Your Hope – because in Jesus Christ you have a great High Priest who has been tempted in all things, yet without sin. Even though you may currently be going through a difficult test or even though every sin common to man may be tempting you, God has promised that he will not allow any trial in your life that is beyond your endurance. He has promised to provide a way of escape so that you may be able to endure it without sinning (Romans 6:11-13; I Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 4:14-16). He will use trials for your benefit as you respond to them in a Biblical manner (Romans 8:28-29; James 1:2-4).  

Your Change – because in Christ you can learn how to lay aside the old selfish ways of living and put on the new ways of living in a manner worthy of the Lord. In learning to change Biblically, you will begin to please the Lord in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (Ephesians 4:20-24; Colossians 1:9-12).

Your Practice – because you need to prove yourself to be a doer of God's Word and not merely a hearer, thus forgetting what kind of person you are and deluding yourself. Only in becoming an effectual doer of the Word will you be blessed in what you do, and only then will you please the Lord (Hebrews 13:20-22; James 1:22-25; I John 3:22).

Waiting Period

If a counseling team is not immediately available to begin a continued counseling period with you, you will be counseled as soon as possible on a one-time basis. During this session, your counselors will provide a plan for you to follow while you are waiting for the regularly scheduled sessions. You may be encouraged to attend an ongoing Self-Confrontation course while you are awaiting counseling; in this way, you can work on solutions to problems immediately.

Length of Counseling

Normally, counseling sessions will last one to one-and-a-half hours each week and will continue for eight to ten weeks. If you respond quickly to Biblical counsel, the number of counseling sessions may be shortened. However, if the counselor does not observe definite change in the first few weeks, he will seek to identify the cause of the failure, discuss it with you, and help you to correct it.

Counseling Appointments

Because the counseling period requires consistency and faithfulness in your applying God's principles, it is important that you reserve the designated counseling time for the entire counseling period, barring unforeseen circumstances (based on Luke 14:27-30; I Timothy 4:7). If you find that you are unable to come to a particular counseling session, please notify the counselor at least 24 hours before the sessions.

Please Note: The Otterbein Counseling Ministry generally has a waiting list for those who desire counseling. Hence, counselees who do not notify the counselor of an absence and who miss two consecutive weeks will be considered as no longer committed to Biblical counsel. The counselors will be reassigned and counselees will be placed at the end of the waiting list for future sessions.

Otterbein Church Involvement
& Biblical Counseling

In order to achieve lasting victory over the problems of life, it is vital that each person become established in a consistent Christian walk. The Lord has provided the church to help in this process (Hebrews 10:24–25). Therefore, it is important that Biblical counseling sessions be accompanied by church activities that encourage discipleship and fellowship. If you do not have a church home, you are welcome to join us in our church's fellowship. If you are part of another church family, the assistance of your church leadership may be requested so that you may even more fully receive the benefit of all the spiritual resources given to you by God. One of your pastors, elders or deacons may even become part of the counseling team to provide the most effectual help for you. It is our commitment to do what will best help you walk in obedience to God's Word and thus experience victory over your problems.

Materials Needed & Expectations

You will need a notebook, a Bible and the Self-Confrontation Manual at all sessions, including the first session. Be sure to bring them each time. Come with high expectations. You will find hope and encouragement even during your first session. From then on, with your cooperation, we are confident that you will find trustworthy and Biblical answers for the difficulty that prompted you to contact us.