Counseling, Evangelism, or Both?
Historically, in the modern biblical counseling movement, there has been debate about whether we can provide biblical counseling for unbelievers.
Some are of the conviction that you evangelize believers; you counsel believers.
Others believe that biblical counseling is a God-given means to ministering eternal truth to unbelievers—relating Christ’s eternal story to their earthly story.
Should We Do Biblical Counseling with the Unbeliever?
God’s Word tells us to:
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; making the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasons with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:5-6).
In 1 Peter 3:15 we read:
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
In the biblical counseling world we have different convictions about and answers to the questions:
“Should we do biblical counseling with non-Christians, or, should we only do evangelism with non-Christians?”
“If we do counsel non-Christians, should we counsel non-Christians differently than Christians? If so, why? How?”
Biblical Counseling with Non-Christians: Eternal Hope for Earthly Struggles—“Soul-u-tion-Focused” Gospel Conversations
I believe that:
Biblical counseling is a God-given means to minister eternal truth to unbelievers.
When offering biblical counseling to unbelievers, we relate Christ’s eternal story to their earthly story.
One blog post can’t really do this topic justice. So, I’ve prepared and delivered a one-hour training session on this topic. You can view and download (for free) a detailed outline of this equipping training here:
Biblical Counseling with Unbelievers
In this training, I use 1 Peter 3:15; Colossians 4:5-6; John 4; and other biblical passages and scriptural principles as a foundation for theologically and practically building an approach to biblical counseling with unbelievers.
I call it:
Eternal Hope for Earthly Struggles: “Soul-u-tion-Focused” Gospel Conversations
Weighty Implications to Prayerfully Ponder and Biblically Examine
In my equipping session, I start with some weighty-wisdom questions:
- What do the Scriptures say about how Christians relate to non-Christians?
- Should every interaction with non-Christians be “directly” and “overtly” evangelistic?
- What examples do the Scriptures provide about how Christians help non-Christians who are suffering?
- What examples do the Scriptures provide about how Christians help non-Christians who are dealing with sin issues or relational conflict?
- What do the Scriptures teach about the dynamics and diagnosis of the unsaved soul?
- What examples do the Scriptures offer concerning Christians interacting with non-Christians regarding matters of the soul?
- Should we counsel non-Christians differently than we counsel Christians? If so, why? How?
Exploring Options and Implications
I then explore possible implications of four options regarding counseling or not counseling unbelievers.
- Possible Implications of Refusing to Counsel or Meet with the Non-Christian
- Am I losing an opportunity for “pre-evangelism?” For evangelism?
- Do they end up turning to godless/secular counsel?
- Am I communicating that Christianity is only relevant for the life to come, but not for this life? Am I communicating that Christianity is only relevant for “spiritual” matters, but not for “real life”?
- Possible Implications of Evangelizing but Not Counseling with the Non-Christian
- They quit meeting with you; you lose an opportunity to impact them now and for eternity.
- Their struggles with “lesser gods” (idols of the heart) are ignored and become a roadblock to facing issues of their relationship to the true God and they never come to Christ.
- They come to Christ!
- Possible Implications of Non-Evangelistic Counseling with the Non-Christian
- Deuteronomy 8:1-13: Will I assist someone to become a more self-sufficient sinner? Am I helping someone to not need God, or not sense their need for God?
- Acts 3:6, 16-19: Am I helping someone to find temporary “fixes-in-the-flesh” (“solution-focused” counseling), but failing to help them to experience lasting heart change (“soul-u-tion-focused” biblical counseling)? Am I helping someone to live somewhat better now (“solution-focused” counseling), but end up for all eternity without Christ?
- Possible Implications of Providing Biblical Counseling through “Soul-u-tion-Focused” Gospel Conversations with the Non-Christian
- Seeds of gospel truth and love are planted in their souls.
- They hear biblical “soul-u-tions” while applying wise “solutions” to their issues.
- They come to Christ!
4 Biblical Compass Points for “Soul-U-Tion-Focused” Gospel Conversations
I then walk through a proposed biblical counseling approach to counseling unbelievers.
As I noted, you can view and download (for free) a detailed outline of those “4 compass points for soul-u-tion-focused gospel conversations.
Biblical Counseling with Unbelievers
Join the Conversation
“Should we do biblical counseling with non-Christians, or, should we only do evangelism with non-Christians?”
“If we do counsel non-Christians, should we counsel non-Christians differently than Christians? If so, why? How?”
