This course of study explores the history of the biblical counseling movement leading up to the present. Special attention will also be given to the leaders, counseling associations, and issues debated and discussed historically and currently. Additionally, this course of study provides brief introduction to biblical counseling.

In the field of counseling, there are three main categories of counseling, namely, secular, integrational, and biblical (nouthetic). This course surveys the field of counseling examining the core principles behind the various systems while analyzing them in the light of the Scriptures. The goal is to prepare the student to have a broad understanding of the extant systems for giving a defense of biblical counseling and to reason from the Scriptures with those who hold opposing views.

An exploration of the basic issues of the marriage and family relationships. The emphasis of this course is on marriage and family as social institutions with application to the life of the student and counseling in the local church.

A course designed to teach church leaders to function as, and train others to serve as, Christian conciliators. Emphasis is placed on discerning the nature of various biblical processes for resolving conflict and understanding the legal ramifications and limitations of Christian conciliation. Course content includes negotiations, mediation, arbitration, church discipline skills, ethics of biblical conflict resolution, and methods of biblical change.

This course studies selected Old Testament narrative passages and their relevance and application to biblical counseling. An examination of context and use of key narrative passages for a counseling session and homework will be explored. Attention will also be given to how each chosen narrative text addresses particular issues and topics of biblical counseling.

Students will study selected wisdom literature passages of the Old Testament and their relevance and application to biblical counseling. An examination of context and use of key wisdom passages for a counseling session and homework will be explored. Attention will also be given to how each chosen wisdom text addresses particular issues and topics of biblical counseling.

Students will study the Gospels and their relevance and application to biblical counseling. An examination of Jesus' life as presented in the Gospels with particular attention to how He counseled and taught will be conducted. The use of key texts from the Gospels in counseling will be explored. Attention will also be given to how selected Gospel texts address particular issues and topics of biblical counseling.

The course focuses on how to address biblically the contemporary counseling issues facing the church today. Dealing with a vast array of subjects such as cutting, euthanasia, transgender, etc., the study seeks to give biblical insight regarding these matters along with providing a scripturally informed methodology of dealing with the issues at hand.

An exploration of common crises that counselees may encounter. Attention is given to critical counseling situations and appropriate interventional responses that are informed by biblical solutions.

This practicum will provide students with the opportunity to counsel under the supervision of faculty and/or other qualified counselors. Class discussion of selected counseling sessions will allow students to learn from each other as well as the instructor and become more confident and effective counselors.