Local Counseling Resource:
"We read to know that we are not alone."
— C.S. Lewis, Shadowlands
Helpful reading
Singleness
Sam Allberry, 7 Myths About Singleness
Barry Danylak, Redeeming Singleness: How the Storyline of Scripture Affirms the Single Life
Marriage, Family & Divorce
Wayen Grudem, What the Bible Says about Divorce and Remarriage.
Tim and Kathy Keller, The Meaning of Marriage
Andreas Köstenberger, God, Marriage, and Family
Dave Harvey, When Sinners Say “I Do”
Andrew David Naselli, “What the New Testament Teaches about Divorce and Remarriage.”
Jim Newheiser, Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage: Critical Questions and Answers
Tedd and Margy Tripp, Shepherding a Child’s Heart, Instructing a Child’s Heart
Life & It’s Complications
Piedmont Women’s Center: Facing an Unexpected Pregnancy
Crossway, Resources Related to Abortion and the Sanctity of Life
Counseling & Discipleship
Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF), see Minibooks on multiple matters
Zack Eswine, Spurgeon’s Sorrows: Realistic Hope for those who Suffer from Depression
Ed Welch, Side by Side
Finding a Biblical Counselor: Wise Questions to Ask
Not every doctor is the same.
Not every church is the same.
Not every counselor is the same
People often ask about finding a wise biblical counselor.
The Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF) provides a variety of Christian counseling resources on number of topics.
CCEF was founded in 1968 and stands in a long tradition of pastoral care that dates back to the 1st century church.
Eight Questions to Ask When Looking for Biblical Counselor
-by CCEF and David Powlison
Questions To Ask
The questions below will help you get a clearer picture of what a counselor believes and how he or she conducts the counseling sessions. If possible, ask the prospective counselor these questions on the phone before any appointment. Otherwise, discuss them during your first meeting. Write down the counselor's answers and explain that you would like to consider them before continuing with counseling. Then talk to your pastor, elders, or wise Christian friend about the counselor's answers in light of God's Word.
Eight Question to Ask Your Prospective Counselor
How would you describe your approach to counseling? How do you understand people's problems? How do you help them grow and change through counseling? Please describe the process.
Are you a Christian? How does your faith affect your view and practice of counseling?
Do you bring Christian truth into your counseling practice? How? What role does Scripture play?
Do you pray with those you counsel?
Do you attend church? If so, where? How long have you been a member?
What is your educational and professional background? What role does it play?
Are you married? Do you have children? Have you ever been divorced? How does your marriage and family situation affect how you counsel people?
For CCEF’s entire article on finding a biblical counselor, see Choosing a Christian Counselor.