Spiritual Discernment & Vocational Counseling Personal Position After completing the Decision-Making Factors Survey, it was discovered that the factors ranking as very important to this author’s decision making include consulting the bible, depending on a sense of inner peace from the Holy Spirit, praying for wisdom to make Godly decisions, considering personal strengths, talents, gifts, and abilities, and judging the decision’s consistency with the character/ethics of Jesus (Horton, 2009). Based on these results and the especially the high importance of inner peace from the Holy Spirit and consistency with the character/ethics of Jesus, this author is most likely to follow the relationship-formation approach, as described by Horton (2009). Horton (2009) describes followers of the relationship-formation approach to “believe that Christians have a great amount of freedom because God has not predetermined a specific path for their lives” (p. 11) and states that “scriptures are a key component of formation, but decisions are based on our relationship with God and how God is at work in our lives” (p. 11). Relationship-formation approach followers believe that decisions are impacted by the level of maturity and depth of relationship in Christ and that God is satisfied when an individual has matured to the point of responsible decision making (Horton, 2009). This author believes that life is not predestined and that God the father has created his children for intimate relationship with him. As that relationship matures, the child is better able to make responsible, Christ like decisions that please the father and allow for a prosperous career. This principle is described in Hebrews 5:11-14. Scripture is to be used in con... ... middle of paper ... ...t approach or identify any fears of decision-making. Works Cited Baker, J. (2007). Life’s healing choice: Freedom from your hurts, hang-ups and habits. New York, NY: Howard Books. Counseling and Therapy in Video (Producer) (2006). Presentation: Career Counseling: Skills for Guided Discovery and Career Assessment. Available from http://ctiv.alexanderstreet.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/View/534812. Horton, D.J. (2009). Discerning spiritual discernment: Assessing current approaches for understanding God’s will. The Journal of Youth Ministry, 7 (2), 7-31. Meyer, J. (2003). How to hear from God: Learning to know his voice and making right decisions. New York, NY: First Warner Books printing. Van Brummelen, H. (2009). Walking with God in the classroom: Christian approaches to teaching and learning (3rd Ed.). Colorado Springs, CO: Purposeful Design Publications.
As a Christian counselor, we have the power of the Word on our sides, but so many of us do not understand how to properly apply scripture into the counseling relationship in an effective manner. In Interventions that Apply Scripture in Psychotherapy, Garzon (2005) attempts to accomplish the following; educate individuals on the various techniques one can use to apply scripture, and to encourage and stimulate God ordained creativity in the hopes to create new techniques and methods for applying God’s Word in the counseling relationship.
Entwistle, D. N. (2010). Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity (2nd ed.). Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock.
As I continued to chat with my pastor that day, I really sensed the hurt in his eyes – the anger that comes from an unsolvable injustice, the tiredness of a problem. “What’s wrong?” I finally asked, “Having a bad day?” Sensing that I was truly concerned, he let the truth be told. “I talked with a woman today whose baby died suddenly of unknown causes. As we worked through her grief, she talked about how numerous friends and family, even a religious leader had patted her on the back, shook their heads and said, ‘It was God’s will.’ I find few things worse to say to a grieving parent. Saying nothing at all would be of more help.” It was obvious from our conversation that he had an understanding greater than I about God’s will, and his insight created in me a curiosity and desire to learn more.
Faith plays a pivotal role in our construction of religion. The work of Dr. Sharon Parks analyzes faith development throughout one’s life span but pays special attention to emerging adulthood. Dr. Parks has an extensive academic career which incorporates her attendance of Princeton University’s theological seminary. As well as her attendance of Harvard University’s divinity school where she obtained her doctorate. Through her extensive research in areas such as “developmental psychology, religion, theology, leadership and ethics” (Service Resources, 2014) Parks is able to focus her work on faith development. Her work is influenced by theorists such as Erickson, Piaget, Perry and Levinson but primarily it is based off of Fowlers work in faith development. Her background in teaching and counseling has allowed her close access to seeing students during this important portion of their lives.
Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling written by Mark McMinn and published by Tyndale House in 2011 notions towards the idealization that Christian counselors need to be privy in the most recent psychological methods as well as theological theories. “This is a book about counseling processes techniques” (McMinn, 2011, p. 150). McMinn also alluded that Christian counselors benefit from having a spiritual maturity. With having these attributes counselors are better prepared to take note of prayer, Scripture, sin, confession, forgiveness, and redemption. McMinn (2011) model flows in the direction of healing while equating to a more advantageous relationship with The Lord Jesus Christ as well as with other relationships (McMinn, 2011).
Schultz also stressed the importance of a biblical worldview in the teacher. As the leader in each classroom the students will adapt their teacher’s beliefs, values and finally actions. If they are taught by a teacher who holds a dualistic view of dividing the sacred and the secular, or a postmodern or modern worldview, it will adversely affect the ability of that child to develop Christ centered wisdom based upon the Word of God. Schultz, in referring to the education of children, stated “anything that hinders their moral and spiritual development is the epitome of child abuse.” (2006, p. 163). As such, our curriculum, teaching methods, and moral example, must all reflect a biblical worldview that will evangelize and discipline each student to know and love Jesus Christ.
to choose their future. Starting from success, family and their individuality has been taken. Furthermore,
Mark McMinn purposely writes this twofold book to first, address the pragmatic assimilation of psychology, theology, and spirituality. Secondly, he explores the spirituality of a Christian counselor, and how this aspect of character affects the methods he or she may use to represent Jesus Christ when dealing with clients. Altogether, this book discusses the dual need for Biblical Counselors to multitask with clients while pursuing personal development in spirituality to advance a Christian worldview. The objective is to “help Christian counselors and researchers unite around certain key questions and perspectives so that our interventions become increasingly relevant and effective" (p. 6).
Reese, William J., Emily Dykman, Michael Lopez-Kaley, and Laura Nettles. Christian Theology: Scripture, Tradition, and Practice. Kearney, Neb.: Morris Pub., 2012. Print.
Richardson, William E., and Dave Kidd. “Articles.” Pentecostal Evangel. General Council of the Assemblies of God. Web. 13 Nov. 2011.
Migliore, Daniel L. Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology. 2 ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Pub Co, 2004.
With this in mind, the following will focus on the spiritual formation process within the Christian community. The concept of Christian community stems from the Bible with the perspective of the body of Christ. The body of Christ is compared to the humane body, a whole comprised of numerous parts; each individual part is required and created by God to form a cohesive whole, no matter believer or non-believer or social status (1 Corinthians 12). Similarly, the spiritual community is also comprised of bountiful parts and can be customized to the individual as the formation. Ashbrook appraises the significance of individuals and community, “Our spiritual formation is designed by God to happen in the context of Christian community, the chu...
Spirit of God: an Easy Guide to Understanding the Holy Spirit's Presence and Influence in a Believer's Life. Faith Print. Co., 2002.
Some view their Christian liberty as a license to sin. As Bible-believing Christians, we know this is absolutely not the case! Indeed, we are saved by grace, and not through our good works. But what happens when a Christian falls from the path, into his old ways? A Calvinist would say that a true believer cannot lose his salvation, while an Arminian would say that one can lose his salvation (Dunham 41). The purpose of this paper is to look at the issue of eternal security, and to determine whether “once saved, always saved” does hold true, or whether a Christian can lose his salvation.
Pope, M. (2000, Mar). A brief history of career counseling in the United States. The Career