Biblical Counseling

Learning Objectives

• Identify biblical foundations for counseling, including God's character and the sufficiency of Scripture for spiritual matters
• Analyze how Jesus and apostles addressed human struggles, sin, and spiritual growth in the Gospels and epistles
• Examine key passages on wisdom, discernment, and the Holy Spirit's role in guiding change
• Distinguish between biblical counsel and worldly approaches to human problems
• Apply biblical principles to common struggles such as fear, anger, grief, broken relationships, and doubt
• Develop listening and questioning skills that reflect biblical compassion and truth
• Evaluate your own spiritual readiness to counsel others, including areas of personal growth needed
• Construct a biblical framework for ongoing discipleship and accountability in a counseling relationship

Syllabus

Overview

This course trains students in the biblical foundations and practical skills of spiritual counsel. Rather than drawing on secular psychology or pop-culture approaches to helping, we return to Scripture itself to understand how God addresses human hearts, restores the broken, and produces lasting change. The course is organized around two foundations: first, understanding the biblical basis for counsel and the sufficiency of God's Word; and second, developing the character, skills, and discernment required of a counselor. Throughout the semester, students will study how Jesus and the apostles counseled others, examine Scripture's teaching on major areas of struggle, and practice skills such as careful listening, asking wise questions, and helping others see their circumstances through God's truth. The course assumes that the counselor must first be growing in their own faith, submit to Scripture, and depend on the Holy Spirit. Assessment will include weekly study and reflection, skill practice, case analysis, and a capstone project demonstrating biblical counseling competence.

Reading Plan

Weeks 1–2: Foundation passages on God's character, wisdom, and the purpose of Scripture (selections from Psalm, Proverbs, and the opening chapters of major epistles).
Weeks 3–4: Jesus's counseling approach and examples from the Gospels, particularly His interactions with disciples and those in crisis.
Weeks 5–6: Apostolic teaching on truth-speaking, encouragement, and restoration in Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, and Ephesians.
Weeks 7–8: Passages on sin, repentance, and spiritual growth from 1 John, James, and Hebrews.
Weeks 9–10: Biblical wisdom on fear, anxiety, anger, and conflict from Psalms, Proverbs, Matthew, and 1 Peter.
Weeks 11–12: Passages on grief, suffering, loss, and God's comfort from Job, Lamentations, 2 Corinthians, and 1 Thessalonians.
Weeks 13–14: Teaching on love, forgiveness, relationships, and reconciliation from 1 Corinthians 13, Colossians, Philemon, and 1 John.
Weeks 15–16: Passages on the Holy Spirit's role, discernment, and the counselor's own spiritual maturity from John 14–16, 1 Corinthians 12–14, and 2 Timothy.

Required Materials

Student's own Bible in a standard English translation (ESV, NIV, NASB, CSB, NLT, or LSB)
Course notebook or digital notes for reflection and personal observations
Provided course handouts: biblical passages indexed by topic, sample counseling scenarios, and skill-practice worksheets
Optional: concordance or Bible search tool to locate related passages on assigned topics

Grading & Completion

Weekly assignments (40%): Each week includes guided study questions, reflection on assigned passages, and brief written responses exploring how biblical principles apply to counseling scenarios. Assignments are due by the assigned date and demonstrate careful Scripture engagement.
Skill-practice exercises and role-plays (25%): Students participate in structured counseling role-plays and submit written self-assessments of their listening, questioning, and discernment. Feedback from peers and the instructor is incorporated into revision.
Midterm case analysis (15%): Students analyze a detailed hypothetical counseling situation, identify relevant biblical passages, and explain how they would guide the person biblically. This is completed individually and submitted by week 8.
Final capstone project (20%): Students design a multi-session biblical counseling plan for a complex scenario, demonstrating integration of Scripture study, discernment, and practical skills developed across the semester.
Participation and engagement in class discussion and peer feedback is expected and noted. Consistent, thoughtful engagement contributes to a strong learning community and benefits all students.

Course Outcomes

• Upon completion, students will be able to explain why the Bible is sufficient for addressing the human heart and spiritual formation, grounded in key passages on God's character and Scripture's purpose
• Upon completion, students will be able to identify and articulate biblical counsel on five major life struggles, supported by careful study of relevant biblical passages
• Upon completion, students will be able to demonstrate listening, questioning, and discernment skills in role-played counseling scenarios that reflect biblical compassion and truth-telling
• Upon completion, students will be able to assess their own readiness to counsel, name areas of spiritual maturity needed, and design a personal growth plan based on biblical principles
• Upon completion, students will be able to construct a multi-session counseling plan for a hypothetical person, showing how they would guide that person toward Christ-centered change