7. Mary is worried about many things: her husband may lose his job, one of her children may have a serious learning disability, and her father is very sick and may die.

a. What questions should be asked of her?

• Ask Mary to share her testimony and understanding of the Gospel.
• If she is a believer, express to her the hope she has in Christ, the Gospel, and that of future glory and peace she has stored up for her. The comfort of a Savior who has "been tempted in every way we are yet without sin." and who "will never leave us nor forsake us."
• What? (about your child's potential learning disabilities is troubling you?) How? (did you respond when your husband expressed his precarious situation at work) Why? How often? (do you see your father)When? (did you learn about your child's difficulties)
• How is your worry impacting your daily functions, attitude, and time with the Lord?
• How is your worry crippling you?
• Is your father a believer?
• Do you spend time daily in the Word with your husband? Privately? How often? 
• How do your child's needs affect your daily functions, etc. and your interaction with others?

b. What counsel should be given from Scripture? Also clearly indicate what hope can be given to her

• Our wealth is not where our faith should be resting: Matthew 6:19-24 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... store up for yourselves treasures in heaven... where your treasure is there your heart will be also. " 
• Mary is commanded not to be anxious, but to bring her concerns before the Lord in faith: Philippians 4:4-9 "rejoice in the Lord always... be anxious for nothing, in everything by prayer and supplication, let your request be made known to God. The peace of God which surpasses all comprehension will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute... any excellence... dwell on these things."
• Mary is commanded not to worry: Matthew 6:25-34 "... do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor to they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will he not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then saying what will we eat? or what will we drink? or what will we wear for clothing? For the gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
• The hope of future glory. The Spirit is with us and gives us peace: John 14: 1-3, 25-28
• The Lord understands our sufferings. The whole of creation suffers,  and waits with eager longing and hope for our redemption: Romans 8:15-25
• The Spirit intercedes for us with groaning we cannot comprehend. God is for us, and nothing He has not intended for our good may come upon us. However what God deems good, is our sanctification. God's goal in our trials and sufferings is to conform us to the image of his Son: Romans 8:26-38 Nothing will ever be able to separate us from his love.

"Humble yourselves, therefor under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the appropriate time, casting all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To him be dominion forever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 5:6-11

• Mary does not have to succumb to the temptation of worry: 1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and will not let you be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also provide a way of escape that you may be able to endure it."
• God is faithful through trials: Lamentations 3:17-25, 31-33 "my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is; so I say, 'my endurance has perished; so has my hope from the LORD.' Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. BUT this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new EVERY morning; great is Your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in Him.'... For the LORD will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according the the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men."

c. What homework could be given to Mary?

• Read Matthew 6 and underline/ note down, the parts that pertain to her situation to share with counselor at the next session.
• Memorize Philippians 4:6-9
• Put sticky notes with suggested verses of encouragement around the house/at work/ in her car.

#5 Explain how to use both the indicative (what God has done for us) and the imperative (what God commands us to do) in counseling.

Scripture clearly explains who we are, what's been done for us, and the correct response, through the following passages. "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:13-14. "...our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will... In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace..." Ephesians 1:3-5, 7. "You were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air... and were by nature children of wrath like the rest of mankind. But God being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us... made us alive together with Christ- by grace you have been saved- and raised up with him and seated with him in the heavenly places as Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his Grace... For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand." Ephesians 2:1-10. We have been freed from our slavery to sin so that we do not have to continue in it. He has transformed us and given us new desires. Explain to the counselee the graciousness of God and his mercy. What he's done for us and what he requires of us are closely connected. Because he loves us and has saved us we ought to want to serve him. Colossians says that if we have indeed been raised with Christ we should "set (y)our minds on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God." God does not always give us a reason for his requests of us but in Colossians 3:3, he does. It is because you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God." In 3:5 we are called to put to death what is earthly in us. God does not only give us negatives though; in verse 12 of Col.3 he calls us to put on then... compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness..." and many more qualities reminiscent of Christ our Savior, the perfect example. What we do is not in our own strength Proverbs 3:5,7 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding... be not wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. " It is not our own doing, or our own efforts that save us, or earn us grace.  Romans 11:6 "But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works otherwise grace, would no longer be grace." Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

#4 Explain the appropriate boundaries of confidentiality in biblical Counseling/discipleship

First of all, sin has no biblical right to privacy; however, there is definitely need for discretion in revealing of details, and/or circumstances. If an individual is committing adultery, for example, the spouse has a right to know. That doesn't mean the counselor ought to be the one to tell the offended spouse. If the individual is unwilling to confess his/her sin to his/her spouse, it may be necessary to inform the spouse of the unrepentant individuals act. It also wouldbe relevant to refer to Matthew 18:15-17 "If your brother sins against you/ go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a gentile and a tax collector."
A man should not counsel a woman without the presence of either her husband, or another woman- prefferably his wife. It would be wise for the counselor's spouse, an elder, or other trustworthy person in a leadership position, to have access to the emails being passed between the counselor and his/ her counselee- especially if the persons involved are of the opposite gender. The counselee should, obviously, be made aware of this arrangement prior to giving access, and or counseling. The necessity for these precautions are derived from 1 Thessalonians 5:22 "Abstain from all appearances of evil." 1 Corinthians 6:18 "Flee from sexual imorality..." and 2 Timothy 2:22-23 "So flee youthful passions and pursure righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish controversies; you know that they breed quarrels." These precautions are for the protection of both parties to prevent false accusations, misunderstandings, or inappropriate behavior on the part of either the counselor, and/or the counselee. Galatians 6:1-2 "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself lest you too be tempted. Bear one anothers burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ."
A counselor ought never to participate in gossip in general, but more specifically in regard to their subjects. These people are confinding with the counselor privately and unless the serson's sin is affecting or involving another individual it should not be shared even with a spouse (with the exception mentioned above for safety purposes.)

#3 What does it mean that the Bible is "sufficient" for counseling?

"There is a way that seems right to a man but it's end is death." Proverbs 14:12 God through His divine power and His Word, has provided us with, as 2 Peter 1:3 says "everything we need for life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence". Hebrews 4:12 "For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." The word of God is inspired and trustworthy. We do not need to look elsewhere for information on how sinful man is or his need for a savior. Without a clear understanding of who man is in relation to God you will be ineffective to solve spiritual problems. Scripture reveals man as sinful and defines the source of "quarrels and conflicts"  in James 4:1-4 "... is it not your passions that are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly to spend it on your passions." The word of God must be seen as the ultimate authority, or there will be no absolute truth. Scripture places Christ in the position of being the final source of truth in John 14:6 "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life..."; 16:13 "When the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak and he will declare to you the things that are to come..."; and 17:17 "Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth." John 1 reveals Christ as the Word of God. Christ IS the definition of Truth and we can trust Him, and His word.

#2 Why is calling sin a disease a problem when trying to counsel biblically?

The Bible is clear that sin is a deliberate decision on the part of the sinner (Genesis 3:17) and that it is also something that for the believer, can be resisted. "Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! fret not yourself; it tends only to evil." Psalm 37:18. Galatians 5:13 "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh but through love serve one another." Calling sin a disease removes the responsibility for sinful behavior from the individual and places it on an outside influence. In order for sin to be conquered and overcome the individual must accept responsibility for his action and repent and turn from them. 1 Corinthians 10:13 demonstrates that a true believer does not need to be held captive to sin "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."  If the sinner sees his sin as a disease- something out of his control - he will see no need for repentance. (i.e. you can not repent of cancer or a cold.) This assumption removes the importance of personal responsibility. The perspective that sin is merely an illness,  ultimately removes hope for a true solution and leaves the counselee assuming he has a disease he may never be able to escape when in reality he/she is simply stuck in sinful habits, that through Christ, could be overcome. (2 Timothy 2:15,22-26)

#1 What are the unscriptural presuppositions of psychology?

Secular psychology assumes several things that are contrary to scripture. The first of these assumptions is that man is basically good, which we know to be false based on Psalm 51: 3-5. This presupposition puts man in the place of being a victim of circumstances and, if taken full throttle, removes responsibility for sin and/or any questionable act.
Another false assumption made by the majority of modern psychologists is that man is autonomous. It assumes that man function and acts without the influence of other sources and that he has complete control of himself, his actions, and answers to none but himself.
Psychology also assumes that truth is relative- that there is no definite right or wrongs making the end goal of secular counseling merely behavioral change at best and personal happiness at the expense of others at it's worst. John 14:6 and 17:17 show us that truth is definite and where to find it.
The sum result of these false principles is that psychology does not understand who man is in relation to God. Man is not held accountable to God for sinful actions and is not viewed as a sinful creature in need of a Savior. Psychology ultimately removes the need for a Savior by placing man in charge of his own destiny and giving us the illusion of control.

#6 Summarize how you would help someone understand trials biblically using James 1:2-8

Every trial is going to be different and I would have to address each one differently, but generally speaking it would go something like this.
After listening a lot, I would seek to encourage the individual with the thought that it is normal for saints to suffer. James 1:2 says "when trials come", meaning they WILL come. It's not about whether or not they will, it's about "when". They are a common, and even expected, occurrence in the life of the believer. This is a common theme throughout Scripture as demonstrated by Jesus in John 16:33 "... In the world you will have tribulation...”; the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 " For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death..." and 2 Corinthians 11:25-29 in which Paul lists numerous trials and persecutions that he underwent in the name of Christ. James demonstrates that trials are not purposeless. "for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." God has a goal and a desired result in the life of each believer, and that goal is that we may be complete. The above passages do not simply end with trials and pain. John 16:33 is not meant to frighten us but to give us peace. "I have said these things to you that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart; I have overcome the world." 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 demonstrates God's faithfulness. "...indeed we felt we had received the sentence of death but that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril and he will deliver us again." If you don't understand God's purposes in tribulation you will have doubts. James 1:5-8 addresses potential doubts that an individual might have. The problem is that the sufferer lacks wisdom, and the solution is "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." A person can not be called to have joy in suffering without having hope. If the sufferer has nothing to hope in then they have no reason for joy. James 1:2 can call us to joy because of the hope we have in Christ shown in the latter part of Romans 8. "Who can separate us from the love of God?" "Who can bring a charge against the elect?" "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us... (nothing) in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Our suffering has purpose, and it will come to an end. In this life we ought to expect it, focusing our minds on Christ and His desire for us to be "complete, lacking in nothing."