Foundations of Biblical Counseling: Part 3

God’s Word for God’s People

“What we do with God matters. What He does with us matters far more. If He does not reveal Himself to us and open our eyes to behold Him, then we cannot know Him (Matt. 16:15-17). If we do not know Him, we cannot love Him. If we do not love Him, we cannot obey Him (John 14:21). If we do not trust Him, we cannot please Him (Hebrews 11:6).” – Dr. John Henderson

I have often heard well-meaning Christians express that the way we engage with or worship God may not be of great importance, as long as our hearts are aligned. However, I want to gently remind us that it truly does matter. God longs for a relationship with us, providing us with the guidance to know Him deeply and to live in accordance with His desires. Therefore, how we interact with and worship the Triune God is indeed significant.

As Dr. John Henderson points out, God has graciously revealed Himself to us, inviting us to know, love, and obey Him. This revelation is an expression of His kindness and desire for our hearts.

Scripture tells a profound story—a narrative that encompasses creation, humanity, sin, judgment, redemption, consummation, and the promise of eternal life. Within these accounts, we find God revealing Himself and His loving intentions for His people. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, we uncover insights about God and ourselves, learning about the beautiful design of our lives and the magnificent way He sustains all creation.

We discover reflections on human experiences past and present, all within the context of being His beloved creations. We learn about our purpose in joining God’s mission to make disciples and guide them with the wisdom that Scripture imparts (Matt. 28:18-20). God’s Word speaks to every facet of our lives, and embracing its truths is vital for nurturing one another in love and support. In this entry, I hope to compassionately explore several crucial stories in Scripture and reflect on their relevance to our everyday lives, recognizing the gift they provide in our journey together.

Creation

What we believe about creation matters. The Heidelberg Catechism, question 28 asks, “What does it benefit us to know that God has created all things and still upholds them by His providence?” In essence, the heart of the matter reminds us that understanding God as the creator and sustainer of all things can inspire us to approach life with compassion. During times of adversity, we can cultivate patience; in moments of prosperity, we can remain grateful. With hope for the future, we can trust wholeheartedly in our God, knowing that nothing can separate us from His profound love. We are gently reminded that all beings rest in His loving hands and that everything we accomplish is made possible through Him.

After creating all things in six days and resting on the seventh, God created man and woman, and it was all very good (Gen. 1:31). John Henderson notes, “He willed to make man as a special reflection of His image, someone to display His glory and rule over all that He had made (Gen. 2).”  Why does all this matter? Because God created each of us with profound purpose and inherent worth. Everything God does and creates is good, filled with meaning, and nothing is ever in vain; He is always in control. It is essential for us to share this message of hope with our counselees, many of whom may come to us feeling lost, as if they have no purpose and their lives are devoid of hope. Some might even feel that this world is so broken that God has forgotten them. Understanding this leads us to another important aspect of the story—one that can help explain these feelings of despair.

The Fall

Many people, seeking understanding, have often posed a profound question that resonates with many: “If God is good and created nothing but good, why is there so much suffering and evil in the world?” This question reflects the deep struggles and confusion that many of us face. After creating the world, God lovingly made Adam and Eve, placing them in a beautiful garden filled with life and abundance. With care, He instructed them not to eat from a specific tree in the middle of the garden, reminding them that disobedience would bring death. It’s a tender reminder of the importance of choices and the consequences they can carry, inviting us to reflect on the nature of good and evil in our lives.

The 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith states, “Adam acted without any outside compulsion and deliberately transgressed the law of their creation and the command given to them by eating the forbidden fruit (Gen. 3:12-13). God was pleased, in keeping with His wise and holy counsel, to permit this act, because He had purposed to direct it for His own glory.” Due to the sorrowful consequences of the first act of sin, we find ourselves all struggling with sin (Rom. 3:12). As a result, death and corruption have cast a shadow over all creation (Rom. 5:12). It can be disheartening to witness the presence of evil, death, and illness in our world. Yet, amidst this struggle, there remains a glimmer of hope for a brighter future.

It’s easy to feel disheartened when we reflect on the fall and the challenges humanity faces. However, it’s crucial to remember that God, in His infinite wisdom and love, did not leave us or our first parents without hope. When we look at Genesis 3:15, we see the beautiful promise of hope as God introduces the first gospel of His Son, Jesus Christ. This passage reminds us that the seed, which symbolizes Jesus, is destined to come and ultimately conquer Satan, bringing restoration to creation and ushering us back to a state of paradise (Rev. 21:1). This profound hope is what we must hold onto for ourselves and encourage in those we counsel. God is with us, guiding us toward a future filled with peace and righteousness, where the burdens of sin and death are lifted. This realization leads us to the heart of our story—redemption.

Redemption

According to J.I. Packer, redemption is beautifully described as the act of lovingly buying back someone who had become enslaved or reclaiming something lost to another. Through His suffering and triumph over death, Jesus lovingly purchased redemption for all believers (Col. 1:13–14). Recognizing our human struggles and sinful nature, we understand that it is beyond our capacity to uphold the law perfectly or earn our own salvation. In His boundless love, God has offered a gentle path through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ, a promise first hinted at in Genesis 3:15. This gracious gift means we are not burdened with the need to work our way through law-keeping to reach Him; instead, in His loving kindness, God has chosen to come to us!

In Genesis 3:15, God made a promise, and it is truly remarkable that He has kept that promise as a faithful promise keeper. Jesus Christ embodies the fulfillment of that promise. Through Him, we are blessed with new hearts, as described in Jeremiah 31:31-33. No longer are our hearts ensnared by sin; instead, they are lovingly devoted to Christ. This beautiful act of redemption not only brings us closer to Him but also gifts us the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4), who guides us and supports us through life’s challenges, serving as a comforting seal for the life yet to come.

Moreover, this redemption liberates us from the impending judgment that awaits all humanity (Rev. 20:11-13), allowing us to stand before God fully atoned for and cleansed. It is a profound assurance that evokes peace and hope. This brings us to a more beautiful part of the story I wish to highlight: consummation and the promise of eternal life.

Consummation and Eternal Life

Consummation can be summed up this way: Consummation “Generally refers to either the completion of an era of God’s working in history or the absolute completion of history (the final consummation).” In essence, consummation signifies fulfillment or bringing something to completion—and it is comforting to know that God faithfully fulfills these promises (Heb. 9:26-28). Through Christ, we receive the beautiful promise of a Savior who came into this world to love and save His people, guiding us toward the hope of a final kingdom; this was His first coming. We eagerly anticipate His second coming when Jesus will return to gather us, His beloved, and bring all of creation before the judgment seat, where we will find justice and hope. This marks the end of the struggles we face today and the joyful ushering in of a new kingdom. In eternity, all will be made new (Rev. 21:1-2). There will be no more sin, death, or sickness—just life in paradise alongside our Savior, Jesus Christ. What a beautiful and hope-filled vision for the future! This message is one our counselees desperately need to hear. It offers hope in our present lives, firmly rooted in the truths of Scripture. This is why it’s so important for us to embrace the Word of God, both in personal devotion and community, and why we must compassionately guide our counselees with these truths.

Knowing the Word    

Three ways we can guide our counselees to deepen their time with the Word is by gently showing them how to read, pray, and study it. Reading the Word might seem simple, but many individuals who seek our support struggle with this vital practice. Encouraging them to engage in devotional reading of Scripture is a powerful way to help those who are suffering reconnect with a steady state of communion with God. We can nurture this by reading from their Bibles during our sessions and giving them thoughtful homework assignments to memorize and analyze Scripture. Our goal is to inspire them to embrace the Word with open hearts.

Praying the Word can be more challenging for some to grasp, as it’s not often discussed. However, by guiding counselees in using the Psalms as a model, we can illustrate how praying the Word enriches their communion with God and encourages them to open their hearts in confession. In moments of struggle, fear, and tears, we can remind them that God listens and cares deeply. The Psalms beautifully reflect this profound connection.

Finally, we want to encourage them to study their Bible. One approach I’ve found helpful is to create a manageable homework template that gently guides them through studying a passage of Scripture independently. This concise guide focuses on observation, interpretation, and application, with examples to make it relatable. While this method may not resonate with everyone, it’s crucial that we equip people with the tools to study the Bible for themselves, fostering independence and a personal connection to Scripture. In conclusion, there is a beautiful story of redemption woven throughout Scripture that everyone needs to understand, especially those who are in pain and struggling. God has not left us without hope and fulfills all of His promises through the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God’s Word is sufficient, and it’s our privilege to be good stewards of the grace God has bestowed upon us, using it to support and uplift others on their journey.

Henderson, John. Equipped to Counsel. PG. 88

Heidelberg Catechism, Question and Answer 28.

1689 LBCF, 6:1.

Packer, J.I.. ESV Study Bible

Grenz, Stanley, et al. Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms. InterVarsity Press, 1999, p. 29.