Evangelism in Biblical Counseling Ab Abercrombie, Ph.D.

Divine Appointments There are no accidents in the Kingdom of God. Every counseling encounter must be viewed as a Divine Appointment. The counselor’s first task is determine the nature of this assignment: Will it be restorative or evangelistic? Discernment of this issue is key to answering the Divine Purpose of this meeting, as God demonstrates throughout Scripture, His emphasis on the spiritual ahead of the physical. God is more concerned with the eternity of an individual than the temporal comfort and relief he/she seeks. Biblical intervention on matters of sin, repentance, and the commandments of God will not bear influence on the non-believer. Only Scripture that addresses the draw of God, unto salvation, will find connection within the lost person’s heart.

Steps of Evangelistic Counseling Testing the spirits… “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). “We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error” (1 John 4:6). “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish” (Gal. 5:17). “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment…” (John 16:8).

Evaluate the Counselee’s response to Scriptural and Theological truth… “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18). “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two- edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me…” (John 10:27). “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Is. 55:11).

Ask direct questions that illuminate the Counselee’s spiritual status… “Tell me about your religious views.” “Tell me how you came to know the Lord.” “You mentioned earlier that you are a Christian. “Would you tell me what that means in your life?” “Tell me about your church and what you believe.” Avoid questions like, “Are you a Christian?” An affirmative response to this question could mean very little. Be careful about simply accepting a person’s “profession” of Christianity. We owe it to the counselee to determine, as best we can, their true spiritual condition. The ramifications are eternal…

Continue, and finalize your assessment with deeper inquiry… “To you, who is Jesus Christ? Jesus asked the same question of His disciples: “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am? So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 16:13b-17).

“Do you believe in a literal Heaven and Hell?” Jesus spoke of hell more than He referenced Heaven. He defined it as a real place with eternal suffering. He pointed to the judgment that was to come and called His followers to repent and believe… to accept the only remedy for their sinful state. This question will illuminate the counselee’s theology and possible false belief in this area. Matthew 25:32-46 “If you died today, where would you go? Where would you spend eternity?” “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Cor. 13:5).

Depending upon their answer, ask why? Why would you go to Heaven? Why would you go to Hell? “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9) Finally, based upon their responses to the questions posed, make one additional inquiry: If you were incorrect about any of this, would you want someone to tell you?

The Presentation of the Scriptural Gospel Key Scriptures: “…For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6

“…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame” (Rom. 10:9-11). “…and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again” (2 Cor. 5:15). “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up in the last day” (John 6:44). “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine, and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray” (Matt. 18:12- 13).

Commitment to Christ Jesus “Are you a sinner?” “Do you want forgiveness of your sins?” “Do you believe Jesus Christ died on the cross for you and rose again?” “Are you willing to surrender you life to Jesus Christ?” “Are you ready to invite Jesus into your life and into your heart?”

Sinner’s Prayer God my Father, I am a sinner. My sins are against you, and only you. Will you forgive me for my sins and wash me clean? I cannot save myself or change myself unless you help me. I confess that Jesus is my Savior and Lord. I believe He died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sin. I believe on the third day He rose from the dead. I believe He is the only way to You and Your Kingdom. I surrender my life to you. I humbly ask for your grace in my life. Please come into my heart and take control of my life. Teach me to live in a manner that honors you. This I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.