Wisdom

When the Bible uses the word “learn”, it generally is referring to knowledge gained through teaching/instruction or experience. So why learning? To answer that, let's review a few common references in God’s word that help shape a Biblical worldview of “learning”.
 

So far on Wednesday nights in June we have been talking through what serving others means, what motivates us to serve, and what serving practically looks like. The home is the best place to learn and grow in this area of Christian living, so what might that look like?

I wonder if I limit the pool of students who have potential to lead simply due to the activity of our gatherings and only paying attention to those that are more assertive at raising their hands to jump in?

I can remember standing in the church lobby one Sunday and after I had just been talking to a lady, she turned to talk to someone else, and right in front of me they made plans for lunch. Here I am longing for an invitation, for someone to notice me, to be included, for someone to see my loneliness, and it didn't happen. So those thoughts of “I'm Not Good Enough” started stirring in my heart.

John Piper coined the term Christian Hedonism in his 1986 book Desiring God. Out of that term came his most famous quote (at least for me), “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” When I counsel, this is a quote I share and have the counselee memorize. Abundant joy and total commitment to the glory of God has to go together in some way.

Souls and how they change: I've found that rudimentary concepts of Christian life are essential in counseling. A biblical understanding of what our souls are is one of these. Our souls are not so much a thing, but who we are as a person. Just who will be the person who sees Jesus' face to face in heaven? Volumes have been written on the subject, but here is a primer. I use this essay to help my counselees understand a clearer picture of why God made them. What is their purpose for their lives ... their day.

What happens when you live in fear or sadness, but perhaps you don't share or confess for fear of judgment? Do you feel that you are all alone and yearn to be with and feel connected to others? This feeling describes the emotion of loneliness.

As you apply soul care to others, whether as a Biblical Counselor, or as one in a shepherding/disciple-making role of any kind (e.g., groups leader, mentor, parent, Pastors/Elders, ministry leader), what does it look like for you to be cared for in similar ways?

The last two Sunday nights about 20 high school students used the book of Proverbs to glean helpful wisdom for decision making that could apply to simple daily decisions or even more complex and life impacting decisions. This was significant, why?

Don't let God's work in your life be a secret. Celebrate Him and the examples/miracles He does in your life. Rejoice, and be glad in Him.

Throughout the book of Proverbs we’re confronted with a decision. Do we choose the way of wisdom? Or do we choose the way of folly?

Have you ever faced a challenge or big decision and thought, “This would be so much easier if God would just send me a letter with the answer” ?  We all have. Well, the good news is… He has!

We are a nation of talkers. And yet, do we understand the power of our words? In a culture dominated by the abundance of text messages, tweets, and status updates, it’s clear we’re in desperate need to have a biblical understanding of the power of our words...