Ministry of the Word Model | Professional Medical Model | ACBC Exam Question #25

25. What does it mean to minister the Scriptures in counseling? Contrast a “ministry of the word” model and a “professional medical” model.

                Ministering Scripture in counseling means to present Biblical truth and principles to a counselee, recognizing that it is the work of the Spirit to change the individual, and aid them in applying truth to their circumstances.  Depending on the counseling situation this may involve one or all of the following using the Word to accomplish; teaching on sin, seeking to bring counselee to accept Jesus as Saviour if unsaved, repentance, admonish, instill hope, encouragement, accountability, and instructional help implementing Biblical principles into daily living practice (2 Corinthians 7:8-10, Romans 14:19, 15:13-14, 1 Peter 3:15).  In 2 Timothy 2:7 after giving instructions Paul writes to Timothy; “Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.”  I believe this passage is a good indicator of what we as counselors do; bring them to truth, and what God does; enables insight, and change.  After all, Jesus said of the Spirit; “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26)  This is the beauty and freedom of Biblical counseling.  Yes we have a huge responsibility to lead counselees to truth, creatively reach their hearts, helping them connect truth to their circumstances.  But, it is God at work, God’s Word, His Spirit who is the True Counselor (Psalm 32:8), the life changer.  We must remember and counsel under this understanding.

                Professional medical experts function on the physical level of human biological issues.  They do tests, assess symptoms and diagnose problems based on provable physical evidence of their patient.  This person has cancer, that person a broken limb, and so forth.  This is very helpful and necessary to our lives for physical health.  Biblical counselors ought to respect and take into consideration the physical health of their counselees, and work with medical doctors as outlined in my response to question #20.  Psychology though is not measurable or scientific, tested or proven by examination.  It uses secular ethics to treat issues in a person’s life, without recognizing God in any way.        

                Nouthetic counsel using the ministry of the word model is not intended to cure a physical ailment, that is the work of medicine.  Its’ purpose is to lead a person to Christ using the Word to reveal sin, independence, our need for a Saviour, and enable righteous living, thinking and lifestyle based on the principles of the Bible.  Because we have the authoritative powerful Word of God, it is not based on opinion or society’s standard (as psychology is and changes its’ methods and practices frequently).   God uses ordinary, fallible men and women to counsel from His infallible Word His truth and promises that none other can give.