Biblical Counseling: Just one book please!
As a pastor, you just don't have much time to read. I understand that quite well. So, it's not surprising that the most common question I get asked is, "If I have time to read just one book on biblical counseling, what should it be?"
Here is my choice: Paul Tripp's Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands.
Using Christ's example, Tripp describes four basic steps (Love-Know-Speak-Do) that show believers how to use God's word to help others. The book covers lots of helpful topics such as: identifying with the sufferer; clarifying responsibility; asking 'heart-piercing' questions; etc.
Deepak,
Very good recommendation for a book to read. The idea of redemptive relationships presented in the book can really help transform how people view what a true biblical friendship should look like in the local church.
Chris
Posted by: Chris | Jan 2, 2008 3:01:27 PM
Excellent choice, Deepak. It is quite a good book. The book on biblical counseling by MacArthur, Mack, and the faculty at The Master's College is also a good just-one-book-please book. However, Tripp's book has a couple advantages that I can see: First, it does more to get beyond the biblical philosophy of counseling; it does more to tell the Christian how to actually counsel. It is more 'practical.' Second, Trip's book emphasizes that fact that EVERY Christian has a counseling ministry - which is what the biblical counseling movement is all about anyway.
Incidentally, I don't think MacArthur's/Mack's book is weak in these areas, but Tripp's book is especially strong in these areas.
Craig Johnson
Pastor, Christ Community Church in Plainfield, NH
Posted by: Craig Johnson | Jan 4, 2008 11:04:13 AM