Monday, October 06, 2008

Friendship Counseling, Part 2

David Powlison@ http://www.boundless.org is continuing his series on friendship counseling. He covers:

Understanding People

Each of the following questions helps us really understand where another person is coming from. We want to know the answers to Question #1 — "What are you facing?" It's a key part of friendship, because candor is the soul of friendship:

  • What are you facing?
  • What are your burdens?
  • What are your joys?
  • Where are the struggles of faith and the failures to love?
  • Where are the places you need God's help — where I might be able to help, too?
  • Where has He helped you, and I can share in your joy?
Understanding the Bible

These things were written down for our instruction.... 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. (1 Corinthians 10:11, 13)

  • First, the Bible contains many stated truths or "propositions."
  • Second, the Bible contains innumerable timely verses.
  • Third, the Bible contains quantities of supremely practical advice and supremely delightful promises.
  • Fourth, the Bible contains hundreds of stories and scenes, and they add up to one master Story. For example,

A windstorm came down on the lake.... "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And He awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, "Where is your faith?" And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that He commands even winds and water, and they obey Him?" (Luke 8:22-25)

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