1. HOPE HOPE OF CHANGE Endurance comes only from hope (p. 39) Hope in the Scriptures always is a confident expectation. The counselor must love people. That is the reason we counsel. People need hope!

2. A counselor must be a man or woman of hope….fully persuaded of the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises (p. 40). The counselor must know the biblical reasons for hope in each situation.

3. EVERYONE NEEDS HOPE The counselor must learn how to confront and overcome the complicating problems of sin. There is in the gospel a double hope. The coming of Christ Hope for a new abundant life right now.

4. SPECIFIC PROBLEMS REQUIRING HOPE People with long-standing problems need hope. People with peculiarly difficult problems need hope. People who have been sold a bill of goods about their problems need hope. Sick? Hopelessness of labels (bipolar, neurotic, etc.)

5. People who are harassed by fear need hope. Persons whose hopes have been dashed repeatedly in the past need hope. Stiff arm hope out of fear of additional pain and disappointment. There are those who have tried and failed. “I have prayed.”

6. Prayer must be followed by the biblical course of action commanded (p. 44). **There are those who do the right thing but give up too readily. Older people often need hope. No age limitations upon sanctification. Depressed persons need hope. Suicidal persons also need hope.

7. Persons who have suffered life- shattering experiences need hope. Those who are without Christ need hope. HOW TO GIVE HOPE Biblical counselors should strongly emphasize God’s promises. Take people seriously when they talk about their sin.

8. Consider all self-deprecatory comments important and always investigate them fully. Often a self-deprecatory comment is a trial balloon that the counselee sets afloat in order to see what the counselor will do with it. In a case of adultery Words must be backed by action.

9. Counselors will wisely give many concrete assignments to the forgiven partner…affords him or her maximum opportunity to demonstrate the genuineness of the professed repentance. Encouragement by appreciation for doing what is required is an effective means of giving hope. Counselees need meaning. Counselees need hope.