By Tim Lloyd, Ph.D., D.Min. and Hillary Lloyd, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
Summary of Biblical Foundations for Counseling
The below scriptures serve as a foundation for a counseling ministry. Familiarize yourself with these scriptures as God addresses the many ways we can minister to one another through a counseling session and even outside of a counseling session. God addresses different topics such as godly counsel, wisdom, comfort, restoration, instruction, edification, doing good to others, teaching, and so much more. Counseling and ministry are not one size fits all. God is in the details. Everyone has different needs which require different approaches. These action scriptures create a solid framework from which you can launch into an effective Christ-centered biblical ministry through counseling people in sessions, and in our everyday lives.
Everything in God’s word is anointed so when you take the Word of God and His charge to you to be a blessing to someone, you are acting as the hands and feet of Jesus and operating under His anointing. When we operate out of a pure heart to serve and bless others, everything we do under the authority of Christ, according to His Word, is anointed. It is the anointing that breaks the yoke of bondage, not we ourselves, but what we do through Christ. Doing good to someone, listening, giving someone uninterrupted time, or perhaps blessing them with something they need, has the power to break their yoke of bondage. Never underestimate the little things.
Old Testament Scriptures on Counseling and Helping Ministries
Proverbs: Guidance and Wisdom in Counseling
- Proverbs 11:14 – “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”
- Proverbs 12:15 – “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.”
- Proverbs 19:20 – “Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days.”
Psalm: Instruction and Divine Guidance
- Psalm 32:8 – “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.”
Isaiah: Justice and Compassion in Ministry
- Isaiah 1:17 – “Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.”
New Testament Scriptures on Counseling and Helping Ministries
Galatians: Restoring and Bearing Burdens
- Galatians 6:1-2 – “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness…”
2 Corinthians: Comfort and Compassion
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble.”
Hebrews: Encouraging Love and Good Works
- Hebrews 10:24-25 – “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works…”
James: Seeking Wisdom from God
- James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach…”
1 Thessalonians: Edification and Comfort
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”
Practical Tips for Aspiring Counselors
As a counselor in training, always look for ways to bless people. Change your mindset from being concerned about yourself, to one that observes people, practices reading people and situations, and shifts from talking, to being a better listener. Everyday life is a great place to practice these skills. A good counselor is one who is in tune with what’s going on in a situation and has a high level of emotional awareness of others. Therefore, as you are learning, we encourage you to read through these scriptures again and meditate on them, confess them, pray them out loud, and get them into your spirit. Think of ways you can apply these scriptures to situations when you counsel as well as when you go about living your daily life. Pray that God will put people in your path who you can minister to. It’s good practice for your counseling sessions and starts to build in you a mindset of service to others. When we have a mindset of service, our eyes are off ourselves and on Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Prayer of Ministry and Healing for Counselors
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the opportunity to minister to others. Thank you for your Word which serves to guide me in blessing others and ministering to their needs. I pray that you will create in me a clean and pure heart that I may carefully and respectfully operate under your anointing to bring healing to those in need. Please put friends, neighbors, family members, and even strangers, in my path with whom I can practice these qualities with so that I am fully prepared and equipped to counsel people in the days ahead. Thank you for your anointing which breaks every yoke of bondage and sets the captives free. Anoint me to carry out this counseling ministry in a way which is pleasing in your sight and glorifies you. Alert me to those who need to be encouraged. Teach me Holy Spirit, teach me.
In Jesus’ name,
A-men