Discipling and Counseling

"Go...make disciples of all nations ... teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20)

Discipleship is walking alongside a young or immature believer, teaching them, instructing them, counseling and encouraging them as both learn to become more like Christ.

Counseling is a specific form of discipleship, for those who are in need of particular instruction. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Paul sets specific discipleship needs and urges the Christians to meet those needs in specific ways: admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with all.

God created man with the need to be counseled. God related with man, revealing Himself as they encountered His daily presence. When sin entered the world, it was because Eve listened to the counsel of the Serpent instead of the counsel and command of the Lord.

Proverbs is filled with counsels, from the wise to the young, foolish and simple. In Proverbs 11:14, it states that there is safety in the abundance of counselors, for without wise counsel, we are prone to falling. Man, in our own arrogance and foolishness, naturally, doesn't want to listen to counsel. We would rather listen to what pleases us, what “tickles our fancy” and what is easier to swallow (2 Timothy 4:3), rather than what is right and wise. There are, however, very grave consequences for those who don’t pay attention to the Words of counsel of the Lord.

In Greek the word (noutheteo) we use for admonish, give counsel, instruct, or exhort, could implicitly mean to open the head and carve into the heart. In Romans 15:14, Paul is certain that the believers are completely able to admonish (noutheteo) for they have the resources needed to do that task: the goodness that is only given through the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and the knowledge of God given through His Word. In Colossians 3:16, he also affirms that if the Word of Christ abides in us richly, we are wise, apt and capable of instructing and giving counsel.

In several passages, we see that the act of neutheteo should be happening as an act of worship (Colossians 3:16), with frequency, among all of the body of Christ, mutually (1 Thessalonians 5:11-14).

We should be fulfilling Christ’s law, loving one another: admonishing and warning those who have been found in disobedience (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15; Matthew 18:15-17), comforting those who have burdens (Galatians 6:1-3), encouraging and spurring one another to good works (Hebrews 10:24) and to develop one’s salvation (Phillipians 2:12), and being patient and forgiving to all (Colossians 3:13; Ephesians 4:32).

As we mutually exhort one another, everyday, we humble ourselves, and our heart is broken and transformed. Hebrews 3:12-13 reminds us that our heart is perverse, full of unbelief and this is what pushes us away from God. We deceive ourselves when we think that we have no sin, but the knowledge of God through His Word, enables us to admonish, for we will be attentive to our own errors as we recognize the greatness of God’s mercy.

How am I involved in Counseling and Discipling ?

• continuously involved in discipling a new believer, teaching them about faith, their salvation, the tools they have to fight the battle against sin, and how to become more like Christ day by day.

• helping those who are dealing with “life problems” by pointing to the Word and while depending on the strength and wisdom that the Lord provides through His Spirit.

• encouraging and comforting those who suffer loss, suffer abuse, suffer consequences of their own sin and from the sin of others

• correcting, admonishing and teaching those who are struggling in knowing how to put off a specific sin such as: sexual immorality, anxiety, anger, fear ...