BIBLICAL COUNSELING
Helping people solve today's problems with the timeless principles of
God’s all-sufficient Word

Counseling, in general, has been a dismal failure. Yet each day we are bombarded with the lies that the failed psychological systems of our culture still propagate. The secular psychologist should be asked,  “Which of the over 200 theories of psychology do you practice?” Many “Christian” counselors try to integrate the Bible into these secular systems that provide no hope for solutions to life’s problems.

There is a better way and that is biblical counseling. Biblical counseling is superior, because it is based on the conviction that God’s Word, the Bible, has all the answers to man’s spiritual, mental, and emotional needs. Biblical counseling is as old as human history. It began by God speaking to His people and was furthered by prophets, priests, kings, and apostles. Every New Testament epistle is a letter of counsel to the people of God. Wise pastors, friends, sisters, brothers, and parents have practiced biblical counsel in every era of church history. Biblical counsel takes place when men and women study what God says in His Word, receive the admonitions with gladness, and offer it to others.

Biblical counseling has four distinguishing features:

CHRIST-CENTERED
Biblical counseling is absolutely committed to pleasing God. II Corinthians 5:9 says, “Therefore, we labor, that whether present or absent, to be pleasing to Him”. All Christians are commanded to make it their “aim or goal” to please God. God has repeatedly stated that He is pleased with His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, biblical counselors are convinced that God will aid them and the counselee to put off all the values, aspirations, thoughts, desires, feelings, attitudes, and responses that are not like Christ. Then, He will aid them in putting on those behaviors that are Christ-like. True biblical counseling is completely about Christ, Who is to be our life. (Philippians 1:21; Colossians 3:3).

SALVATION-CENTERED
Biblical counselors must have experienced the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit or they will not be able to help anyone. They have come to repentance and faith and have acknowledged Christ alone as their Lord and Savior. They know that Christ is all they need so He influences every aspect of their lives. Their theology permeates all of their counseling sessions and their time in between! True biblical counseling is possible by those who have been changed and have a passion to help others know the freedom that comes from change in the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 8:36).

CHURCH-CENTERED
Biblical counselors believe that the local church is God’s instrument for preaching salvation to the lost. Biblical counselors are also convinced that counseling is a ministry of the church. The local church is made up of sinners saved by the grace of God and who are growing in an atmosphere of loving admonition. It is the environment where we learn to obey God and fulfill His plan for us to change by growing in Christ-likeness. This process of change is called sanctification in the Bible. Progressive sanctification or discipleship is one of the functions of the local church. It is in the local church that Christians are motivated to take off the old manner of life and put on the new life in Christ. True biblical counseling is best conducted by a Biblical counselor in the local church where the whole environment is one of nurturing love. (John 13:34, 35; Acts 20:32; I Timothy 3:15)

BIBLE-CENTERED
Biblical counseling uses the Scriptures as the source for understanding the nature of man and as the way to resolve the problems facing human beings. Biblical counselors believe there is no book that can approach the effectiveness of the Bible in giving counselees life-changing information. Why? It is truth from God’s point of view! The Triune God has spoken to us through Scripture. The Bible has a breadth and a depth that enables us to find solutions to our dilemma and then shows us how to live successfully before the face of God. True biblical counseling is absolutely committed to the sufficiency of the Bible. (Joshua 1:8,9; John 17:17; II Timothy 2:2, 15; 3:16, 17).

Biblical counseling is unique. A Biblical counselor believes that God and His Word are sufficient for the needs of God’s people. Biblical counselors are passionate in their desire to help people like you. They know there is hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. There is hope for you in Him! Perhaps that is why a friend gave you this brochure. Please contact us at Peachtree Biblical Counseling Center to set up an appointment with a counselor who loves God and loves other people. You will be treated warmly, lovingly, and truthfully.  Others have been helped and so can you!              

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man, but God is faithful, Who will not suffer (allow) you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” — I Corinthians 10:13
-David Birch