The Bible is clear that spiritual warfare is real, but how are we to engage these powers? In this two part message, David Powlison sets forth a biblical demonology and explains the biblical parameters for battling the world, the flesh and the devil.
The Bible is clear that spiritual warfare is real, but how are we to engage these powers? In this two part message, David Powlison sets forth a biblical demonology and explains the biblical parameters for battling the world, the flesh and the devil.
Your counseling and counselees will be enriched by being centered in a local church. This workshop shows how involvement of the local church is a crucial aspect of biblical counseling because the tasks of counseling and discipleship are given by God to the local church.
Why bother with the history of the biblical counseling movement? Because the battle over the Bible still rages. This session shows how an understanding of history will help preserve and protect the biblical counseling movement from error.
It is uncomfortable but it needs to be said, the Bible talks a lot about sex, and so should the church. This session gives some helpful guidelines for how to talk with teenagers about sex and sexuality in the context of the church.
We live in a world that is confused and confusing on the issue of sexual identity. The truth is we really don’t know our true identity until we know Christ. This session discusses the need for, the components and the goodness of a biblical understanding of sexual identity
Christian women know they should read their Bibles, but desire is often weak and the knowledge of how to begin is lacking. This workshop will encourage you to delve into the Scriptures through Bible reading, memorization, and suggested study methods.
Sexual predators often look upon churches as soft targets for their evil acts. This workshop teaches church leaders and parents the need to implement proven policies and practices that will help keep our children safe.
The challenges that singles face today are not radically different from those that faced young people in the ancient world. This session discusses the counsel to the daughters of Jerusalem in the Song of Songs and how that applies today to singles who desire to wait well.
Ever wonder how to respond to the hypersexualized messages our children are consuming? This workshop gives very practical applications of gospel promises and gospel warnings to our preteens and teens.
How is rebellion different from weakness and what difference does that make? This session shows the need to point precious strugglers to Christ because the imputed righteousness of our great Savior provides the greatest motivation for obedience and change.
How can we try hard to obey God’s laws and still experience joy, even though we fall terribly short day after day? This session looks at many Biblical passages to understand God’s loving purpose in beginning the work of new creation in those still tied to sinful flesh.
Our culture offers a particular narrative about homosexuality, describing a move from repression to a place of flourishing by embracing a homosexual identity. This session will give a counter narrative based on 5 truths that same-sex attracted Christians need to hear.
What’s so important about family worship? What does it involve and how can you structure it for the needs of your own family? This workshop shows how family worship is a strategic method to fulfill God’s command to instruct your children in the knowledge of Him.
Think you want to be a writer? Want to know more about the publishing process? Author Elyse Fitzpatrick shares insights gained from her own writing process and encourages would-be-authors to remember the primary purpose of their message is to give grace to those who hear.
Learning to treasure the Lord brings peace to burdened minds. This session gives a biblical perspective on counseling those with OCD and concludes with concrete examples of steps to take worrisome thoughts captive with Scriptural truths.
The focus of counseling must be to lead counselees into deeper relationship with Christ, not just to dispense biblical principles. They need to taste his goodness so that they are ruined for anything else. This session will help counselors teach their counselees to savor Christ.
Belief in “the glory story” is the primary problem with most of our counselees. In this two part session you will learn the differences between counsel that emphasizes the glory story and counsel that directs counselees in “the way of the cross.”
Belief in “the glory story” is the primary problem with most of our counselees. In this two part session you will learn the differences between counsel that emphasizes the glory story and counsel that directs counselees in “the way of the cross.”
You may have always expected your job as a parent to be done once your children reached adulthood but you never stop being a parent! This session discusses how to handle many of the unique challenges that arise for parents of young adult children.
You may have always expected your job as a parent to be done once your children reached adulthood but you never stop being a parent! This session discusses how to handle many of the unique challenges that arise for parents of young adult children.
How should you counsel the suffering? This workshop draws lessons from the book of Job, what his friends teach us about mistakes we can make in counseling and how we can avoid those mistakes as we seek to help those whose world has caved in.
Our only hope for victory over sin is our union with Christ. This two-part seminar looks at union through the lens of the “already and “not yet” or the objective perspective of the finished work of Christ and the subjective perspective of our own growth in holiness.
Our only hope for victory over sin is our union with Christ. This two-part seminar looks at union through the lens of the “already and “not yet” or the objective perspective of the finished work of Christ and the subjective perspective of our own growth in holiness.
Desire, which the Scripture also calls lust and covetousness, is an enemy of contentment and peace. This session will give you tools for identifying and dismantling the objects of your desire that run contrary to peace.
True repentance is essential for God-honoring change. This session will consider the Biblical data on repentance, draw some conclusions about the significance of this data for counseling and make concrete application for assignments in counseling.
Mutual accountability and discipline are God’s gifts and blessing to the church. This session explains the process of church discipline and discusses how to build a culture that values, understands and allows for this kind of accountability.
Peace is something to be worked for and towards but there are a number of scenarios where this is impossible or even sinful. This session unpacks five major areas where people may be inclined to “keep the peace” when they should speak out.
Biblical mediation skills can be applied in every life setting to help others resolve conflict. This session takes a detailed look at the primary and secondary roles of a reconciler and foundational skills needed for building a peacemaking team.
The family is a hotbed for conflict. It is also the primary arena in which we can learn and practice peacemaking. This session focuses on making your marriage one of the safest places in the world and making peace with children.
How can you prepare people to live out the gospel in the conflicts of daily life? In these three sessions Ken Sande develops a vision for building a culture of peace in the local church. This is part 1.
We must understand the antithetical states of war and peace if we are to be peacemakers. This session takes an in-depth look at characteristics of a peacemaker and characteristics of a trouble maker as described in multiple passages of Scripture.
There is a desperate need for men to live and think biblically when it comes to their sexuality. This two-part session discusses a biblical view of sexual purity for men including God’s view of sexuality, God’s view of sexual perversity and God’s view of sexual purity.
There is a desperate need for men to live and think biblically when it comes to their sexuality. This two-part session discusses a biblical view of sexual purity for men including God’s view of sexuality, God’s view of sexual perversity and God’s view of sexual purity.
The Lord’s supper is an important aspect of cultivating a peacemaking culture in the local church. This session discusses the focus of the supper on peace with God and peace with one-another as well as pastoral and practical implications.
How is it that hope can hurt? This session presents a picture of biblical hope, explains why this hope can actually cause pain to a counselee and discusses what to do when we find that hope is hurting.
The storms of life can appear in so many forms. What does God look like in your storm? This session focuses on how an understanding of His mercy and sovereignty can bring you comfort and give you a steadfast heart in the midst of the storm.
What can we expect from medicines? Do they ever help? Medication alone does not always address the underlying emotions which trouble the mind and spirit. This session provides biblical guidance on how to balance medical intervention with biblical encouragement.
Why is the heart pivotal in counseling and how do you deal with the heart? This session explores descriptions of the heart in both the Old and New Testament and discusses the Biblical counselors role in addressing heart issues through the Word of God.
What flame can ignite motivation, what fuel can sustain hope that overpowers the pain of change? This session examines the powerful role of justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone as the impetus for radical life change.
Parents are looking for a formula that guarantees their kids will turn out right. Is there anything that can ensure successful parenting? This two-part series examines pros and cons of common parenting formulas and emphasizes the need of God’s grace for both parents and children
Parents are looking for a formula that guarantees their kids will turn out right. Is there anything that can ensure successful parenting? This two-part series examines pros and cons of common parenting formulas and emphasizes the need of God’s grace for both parents and children.
Peer pressure, co-dependency, the fear of man: how can someone escape being overly concerned about what others think? This session shows how knowing the holiness of God and learning to fear Him is the only cure for the situations when people seem big and God seems small.
Women may be tempted toward idolatry in ways that are specific to their calling. What do you think you have to have in order for your life to be worth living? Are you willing to sin to get it? This is part 2 of a four-part series on women, idolatry and the power of the cross.
What do you love, worship and serve? God commands you to have no other gods before Him. How can you be motivated to single-hearted worship of the true God? This is part 1 of a four-part series on women, idolatry and the power of the cross.
What should you do when you see your idolatry and sin? You need to look to your Savior! He has given you all you need to be approved of and fruitful. This is part 3 of a four-part series on women, idolatry and the power of the cross.
There will come a day when everything you ever desired will be fulfilled in Christ. In the meantime you have to struggle against idolatry. How does the gospel transform this struggle? This is part 4 of a four-part series on women, idolatry and the power of the cross.
What is the best approach to finding a marriage partner? What is the nature and purpose of courtship? What if I am single and lonely? This session answers many questions for those who are considering marriage or want to know how to prepare for marriage in the future.
Sometime after saying I do, most people begin to realize they have married a sinner. This session will discuss how an honest examination of our own sin will help us to come alongside our spouse as a fellow sinner rather than stand over them as judge.
Sometime after saying I do, most people begin to realize they have married a sinner. This session will discuss how meditation on God’s rich mercy towards us when we were dead in our transgressions and sins will empower us to extend mercy to a sinful spouse.
Few things in life display our own shortcomings and weaknesses as much as the endeavor of parenting. This session will discuss how these weaknesses point up our own need for the gospel and drive us to dependence on God as we parent our children.
How do you respond when you face incomplete goals or unfulfilled dreams in your life? How can you say with Paul that you have “learned in whatever situation … to be content?” This session will teach us to pursue contentment through Christ who strengthens us.
When we have a distorted view of reality, we suffer as a result. This session will unpack five truths that will help you develop a proper view of your reality in Christ as it is described in the doctrine of justification by faith.
What is family worship, why does it matter and how do we do it? This session will examine a brief history of family worship, encourage you with a look at its effects on the family, the church and the world, and give you some practical steps for instituting a family worship time.
Sadly many people, even Christians, respond in destructive and sinful ways when conflict arises. This session will look at the steps of biblical conflict resolution, describe the PAUSE principle and discuss options including mediation and arbitration.
Effective counseling involves spiritual warfare. This is why it must be a matter of prayer. In this session Voddie Baucham shares some personal counseling experiences to encourage counselors to remember the importance of prayer in counseling.
Are ministers of the Word really equipped to counsel people with “serious” problems? Voddie Baucham discusses his journey to the conviction that the Bible is essential and sufficient for meaningful counseling.
Middle and High School presents difficult challenges for kids today. From peer pressure to issues concerning sexuality our kids are facing a fast changing world. Come and hear how living in community helps to provide the context for counseling teens.
All people face troubles in life. The Bible is a book that is shockingly honest about these troubles. This session unpacks the reasons why biblical counseling is really the only true answer to walking with people through seasons of serious trouble.
Biblical counseling is necessary for the church and the church is necessary for biblical counseling. This session will define what is meant by “counseling” in the context of the local church and discuss how helping hurting, needy people is at the heart of her calling.
In a world full of trouble, God is actively involved in caring for His people. He is a Shepherd who gives us rest in the midst of a World that assaults us with pain. This session unpacks the gospel hope found in Psalm 23.
The work of the Holy Spirit is the only thing that can bring about lasting and God-honoring change. As biblical counselors we are dependent upon the Spirit to work powerfully in the entire counseling situation, both through us and in the lives of our counselees.
It can be easy to say the words “I forgive you” but very difficult to extend true forgiveness to someone who has hurt us. This seminar will help equip individuals to minister to those that find themselves struggling with the forgiveness they have granted.
Psychology and theology both deal with the fundamental issues of meaning and value. Many modern approaches have unscriptural presuppositions and practices. This workshop introduces biblical counseling and the importance of approaching these issues from a Christian perspective.
This session will discuss the dangers inherent in long-term, cross-gender counseling, both to pastors and counselors and to the women they counsel, as well as steps pastors can take to protect themselves while still loving the women God has placed in their care.
You want to be a competent counselor don’t you? Of course you do! What does the Bible have to say about what that looks like? This workshop explores the Biblical characteristics of a competent counselor as described in the Pastoral Epistles.
How is the biblical counseling approach different from all other Christian approaches? In this session IBCD’s position of biblical counseling (the Bible as the sole and sufficient authority) is outlined and its key concepts explained.
How do you help women who self-injure? This workshop will examine the similarities and distinctions between four very different, self-injuring women and discuss some of the Scriptures and counseling methods which will provide the greatest help for all self-injurers.
This is a Q&A Roundtable with our Keynote Speakers from the 2015 Summer Institute: Heath Lambert, Jim Newheiser, Voddie Baucham and Brian Borgman.
How should Christians think about their past? How does your answer affect the way you process life’s challenges? How does it affect the way you counsel? This two-part session will explore what God’s Word says about the importance and potential impact of events from your past.
Often the past is an enemy stronghold in people’s lives, hindering them from service and usefulness as well as straining relationships. This session explores biblical truths that can effectively help people battle the enemy and find strength and perspective through Christ.
Is your past “one big lump”? Is it possible that some of us have challenges in this area in part because we have not thought as precisely and specifically as God’s Word would direct? This session will attempt to help us identify biblical categories for events from the past.
What wrong desires do you habitually battle? The premise of this seminar is that learning to live as a proper worshiper changes the stubborn desires of the heart. Many practical suggestions for what it means to live life worshiping properly will be given.
The biblical counseling world is a large and growing network. What is the role of the BCC in promoting BC? More importantly, this session addresses how each of us can find our place in God’s vision for promoting personal change centered on the person of Christ.
This session develops and illustrates a four- dimensional, Christ-centered equipping model that unites Christ-like character (heart/being), biblical content (head/knowing), counseling competence (hands/doing), and Christian community (home/connecting).
This is a roundtable discussion on various topics by our keynote speakers from Summer Institute 2014.
We nurture a culture of care in the church when the Word of God is shared with the love of a father, mother, brother, child; and shared with the respect of a mentor! This session will discuss how a counselor’s character and motivation profoundly impact the counseling process.
Often adoption is romanticized and the challenges are minimized, leaving adoptive parents feeling guilty as they struggle with their child. This two-part message will deal with some of its common challenges and help equip counselors to minister to adoptive parents.
Often adoption is romanticized and the challenges are minimized, leaving adoptive parents feeling guilty as they struggle with their child. This two-part message will deal with some of its common challenges and help equip counselors to minister to adoptive parents.
The Bible has a lot to say about the nature of man. This workshop explores the key components of man’s nature and the importance of balance in diagnosing and directing the counseling process so it comes to a successful conclusion.
From the beginning we are told that God created man in His own image. What does it mean to be an image bearer of God? This workshop explores the concept of Man as the Image of God and the practical implications for the counseling process.
Forgiveness can be very hard, particularly when someone has hurt us very much. This session will examine how for Christians, meditating on the way Christ has forgiven them all of their debts can and should empower them to forgive others.
Sometimes to live at peace with others we must confront them about their sin. This session will discuss how to determine if a sin must be confronted and how to go about the process in a way that seeks to gently restore a brother or sister.
The gospel of grace needs to be at the heart of how we understand marriage roles. Both husband and wife have a unique part to play that shows forth the relationship of Christ with his church. This session will focus on the role of the wife in marriage.
The gospel of grace needs to be at the heart of how we understand marriage roles. Both husband and wife have a unique part to play that shows forth the relationship of Christ with his church. This session will focus on the role of the husband in marriage.
If I praise others won’t it just make them prideful? Is there a way that praising others can actually build them up to become more Christlike? This session gives biblical warrant for God-centered praise of those who are not God.
Marriage is a stage designed to show forth the realities of the gospel. This seminar will set forth the biblical vision of marriage and give practical counsel of how we can reorient our hearts and actions so our marriages better reflect the profound realities they illustrate.
Dr. Charles Hodges, MD. examines the definition and characteristics of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, gives descriptions of the symptoms and suffering, and offers biblical hope in dealing with tramautic past experiences.
Is it okay for Christians to use pain medicine? How much is too much? How do you know if you are addicted? Dr. Charles Hodges, MD. discusses what the Bible has to say about struggling with physical pain and the use of medication to treat it.
What are some practical ways that you can begin to apply the principles of God-centered affirmation to your relationships? This session will help you to move beyond good intentions to actually cultivating joyful, healthy relational patterns.
Our sex-saturated culture has taken sexuality from a blessing given by God and made it into an idol to be worshipped and distorted. This workshop will examine the rampant destruction left in the path of pornography and the hope the gospel offers to strugglers.
Our money is not really ours, we are stewards of what God has given us. This session lays out how a proper view of stewardship helps us honor the Lord in the way we spend money. It also gives practical steps of how to spend wisely by using a budget and controlling expenditures.
It is wise to plan for the future. This session examines biblical principles of saving for the future and how this applies to options related to anticipating expenses, obtaining insurance, investing, and making a will.