Introduction to Biblical Counseling – This is our foundational course dealing with the need for and the fundamentals of Biblical Counseling. The student will gain an understanding of what is meant by nouthetic counseling and how it differs from the prominent secular and religious counseling models. The student will be introduced to the key elements of the counseling process including data gathering, questioning, homework, giving hope, methods of change, and the role of the Holy Spirit in counseling. Other topics include the sufficiency of Scripture, self-esteem, and counseling failure. 22 hours.
Instructor: Dr. Jay E. Adams
Required textbooks: Competent to Counsel; The Christian Counselor’s Manual
Counseling Problems – Specific counseling problems will be discussed in this course. Subjects include worry, anger, depression, fear, grief, guilt, life dominating sins, demon possession, slothfulness, decision making, and suicide. Special attention is given to the pertinent Scriptures that deal with these problem issues. 15 hours.
Instructor: Donn R. Arms
Required textbooks: How to Overcome Evil, How to Handle Trouble, The Christian Counselor’s Manual, What to do When…(Pamphlet series)
Suggested textbooks: Wrinkled but not Ruined, The Christian’s Guide to Guidance.
The Use of Scripture in Counseling – Students will receive instruction in the fundamentals of hermeneutics and exegesis as these relate to biblical counseling. 14 hours.
Instructor: Dr. Jay E Adams
Required textbook: What to do on Thursday, How to Help People Change
Church Discipline – A thorough study of a neglected but vital aspect of counseling and church ministry. Because of the great confusion about and the necessity for church discipline in churches today we make this course available to churches who desire to use it at an elders or deacons retreat with the goal of helping them arrive at an understanding of the blessing of church discipline and to develop a church policy as to its practice. 5 hours.
Instructor: Dr. Jay E. Adams
Required textbook: Handbook of Church Discipline
Forgiveness – Most counseling cases require at some point the discussion of forgiveness and yet few counselees have an understanding of the dynamics of biblical forgiveness. This course examines the basic biblical passages on the subject and identifies the world’s substitutes for forgiveness. 5 hours.
Instructor: Dr. Jay E. Adams
Required textbook: From Forgiven to Forgiving
Marriage and Family Counseling – An examination of the biblical concept of marriage and the specific Scripture passages that relate. The student will be challenged to lead couples to biblical solutions to marriage conflict. Specific topics include communication, the purpose of marriage, gender roles, the sexual relationship, adultery, finances, raising children, and the dynamics of counseling couples. 15 hours.
Instructor: Donn R. Arms
Required textbooks: Christian Living in the Home, Solving Marriage Problems, Biblical Principle of Sex (Dr. Robert Smith).
Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage – A study of the relevant Scripture passages dealing with the issue of divorce and remarriage with the goal of leading the student to a biblical view of the issue and application of that view to counseling situations. 5 hours.
Instructor: Dr. Jay E. Adams
Required textbook: Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage in the Bible
Critical Stages in Biblical Counseling – This course builds on the introductory course with a focus on the actual counseling sessions. Three specific sessions are identified as critical to the entire counseling process: the first, the final, and the breakthrough sessions. Specific “nuts and bolts” are discussed in detail as they relate to these vital sessions. The course concludes with an examination of specific counseling cases. 10 hours.
Instructor: Dr. Jay E. Adams
Required textbook: Critical Stages in Biblical Counseling
Theology and Counseling – The entire corpus of Systematic Theology is considered in relation to biblical counseling. While not a study of any specific theological system the implications of various systems to counseling will be examined. 14 hours.
Instructor: Dr. Jay E. Adams
Required textbooks: The Theology of Counseling, Sanctification and Counseling (Is All Truth God’s Truth?, Growing by Grace).
Medical Issues in Counseling – Topics include the use of drugs in counseling, dealing with pain, pastor/physician relationships, the reason for illness, and specific medical issues i.e. anorexia, bulimia, STDs, ADHD, and sleep loss. 10 hours.
Instructors: Robert Smith, M.D.
Required textbooks: The Christian Counselor’s Medical Desk Reference, Pain, the Plight of Fallen Man
Counseling Women – This course focuses on issues that are specific to women and women counselors. Topics include submission, living with an unbelieving husband, divorce, manipulation, and children. 12 hours.
Instructor: Martha Peace
Casebook Studies – A detailed analysis and discussion of each case presented in Dr. Adams’ book The Christian Counselor’s Casebook. 22 hours.
Instructors: Dr. Jay E. Adams, Donn R. Arms
Required textbook: The Christian Counselor’s Casebook, The Case of the “Hopeless” Marriage.
The Institute reserves the right to add, delete, or revise any course(s) as it deems prudent.