Handbook for the Ministry of Biblical Discipleship/Counseling

The Handbook for the Ministry of Biblical Discipleship/Counseling has been developed as a reference to help the biblical discipler / counselor maintain his biblical focus in ministering to those with problems. It is a reference handbook for biblical disciplers / counselors and is also a basic resource in all BCF training courses beyond the Self-Confrontation course.

NOTE: To make best use of the Handbook, it is vital that you already have a Self-Confrontation manual and have completed BCF's Level 1 training. This Handbook is designed for an advanced level of training.

This Handbook is an outstanding tool to be kept at hand by all disciplers / counselors through years of ministry, and can be used as a resource for:

- Planning and conducting discipleship / counseling meetings with all who ask for help in facing, dealing with, and enduring the trials of life,

- Training others in the ministry of biblical discipleship / counseling,

- Evaluating one's own ministry for biblical focus and conduct, and

- Photocopying useful forms for the ministry of biblical discipleship / counseling

Information is divided into four sections as follows.

I. SECTION I: Biblical Principles for Discipleship/Counseling

This section consists of biblical principles for the focus and conduct of both the discipler / counselor and the disciple / counselee. The first portion contains 105 biblical principles for disciples / counselees. They are taken from the Self-Confrontation manual and are listed in the same order in which they appear in the manual. Starting with Principle 106, the second portion contains the biblical principles for disciplers / counselors and apply to situations throughout the entire process of the discipleship / counseling ministry.

II. SECTION II: Master Plan for the Biblical Discipleship/Counseling Ministry

This section contains essential helps for planning and evaluating the entire ministry of discipleship / counseling. The MASTER PLAN is an outline of the procedure you can follow as you progress in your ministry with individuals. The EXPLANATION OF THE MASTER PLAN provides the detailed guidance to implement the outline listed in the MASTER PLAN.

III. SECTION III: Essential Precepts

This section contains essential scriptural teaching for all aspects of the discipleship/counseling ministry. It consists of three parts: THE DISCIPLE / COUNSELEE, THE BIBLICAL DISCIPLER / COUNSELOR, and THE DISCIPLESHIP / COUNSELING PROCESS. Throughout the years you spend ministering to others, this section will provide a valuable reference for your own discipleship / counseling and for training others.

IV. SECTION IV: Resource Helps and Forms for Biblical Discipleship/Counseling

This section includes forms for discipleship / counseling, guidelines for completion of the forms, guidelines for completing homework assignments, guidance for how to carry out discipler / counselor training responsibilities and standards of conduct for biblical disciplers / counselors. In many informal discipleship / counseling situations, it will not be appropriate to use some of these forms, however, even then, the information on the forms provides valuable guidance for gathering information during your discipleship/counseling meeting.