Relationships and Recovery Week One Notes
Here is a copy of the class discussion notes, feel free to reply with your own thoughts!
Ephesians on Recovery, Relationships and the Counseling Minister
Within the book of Ephesians are many gems that can be applied to the topics of this class. We will be using the book of Ephesians as a primary source when looking into how to minister recovery and relationship help.
As we read through the book of Ephesians, “Boundaries” and various excerpts from other books, keep in mind a few things. How does God’s way of relating to us differ from most human father/child relationships? How did you recover from the relationship difficulties of your past? In what ways is God still healing those wounds? And how does God want you to guide others through that process.
Relationships - Who we are to God
“..just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will…”
(Ephesians 1:4-5)
Several times in the book of Ephesians the word “predestined” is used (NKJV) and for a good reason. It brings to mind the idea that God is a father that plans good things for us and does not abandon us. Father/mother issues related to lack of this kind of human love is among the greatest of complaints of all the people I have counseled.
“For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father…”
(Ephesians 2:18)
Not only do we have a good dad in God, but we have access to the throne room of the creator of the universe, and not just as a begging servant but as his child.
Recovery - God restoring our lives
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”(Ephesians 1:7)
I think back to allot of the ways I tried filling the gaps in my own heart. My own actions could have caused such terrible consequences. Some I’ve been rescued from. The eternally important consequences have been done away with entirely.
“And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. “
(Ephesians 1:22-23)
The key in counseling is recovery. People come and seek advice when they have an issue. God has the power to affect any situation. Learning to fight some situations will be a lifelong battle, others will see instant results. Some issues require the skill and experience of others. All issued should be brought to God who alone has the power to take care of the whole body. Often times He does so through by using His people.
Counseling Ministry - Empowered by the spirit to provide advice
“In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will..”
(Ephesians 1:11)
Here we see a biblical definition of what counseling is. It is weighing decisions in light of excellent wisdom. God the father can find no higher authority or wisdom than that of his own spirit. Similarly God’s people are encouraged to seek good counsel for major decisions. When people recognize wisdom or God’s spirit in us, they may choose to come to us for similar counsel. Seeking advice, confirmation or direction doesn’t mean abdicating one’s position of authority in the matter. All good leaders surround themselves with counsel but still maintain the final say. As counselors or ministers we must also never present ourselves as the final authority, simply servants of God who by God’s grace and Spirit have been provided a unique perspective.
“…for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:12)
The granting of this grace and position in the body is for a reason. He wishes to use us to affect others in the world and others in the body.
Ephesians on Recovery, Relationships and the Counseling Minister
Within the book of Ephesians are many gems that can be applied to the topics of this class. We will be using the book of Ephesians as a primary source when looking into how to minister recovery and relationship help.
As we read through the book of Ephesians, “Boundaries” and various excerpts from other books, keep in mind a few things. How does God’s way of relating to us differ from most human father/child relationships? How did you recover from the relationship difficulties of your past? In what ways is God still healing those wounds? And how does God want you to guide others through that process.
Relationships - Who we are to God
“..just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will…”
(Ephesians 1:4-5)
Several times in the book of Ephesians the word “predestined” is used (NKJV) and for a good reason. It brings to mind the idea that God is a father that plans good things for us and does not abandon us. Father/mother issues related to lack of this kind of human love is among the greatest of complaints of all the people I have counseled.
“For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father…”
(Ephesians 2:18)
Not only do we have a good dad in God, but we have access to the throne room of the creator of the universe, and not just as a begging servant but as his child.
Recovery - God restoring our lives
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”(Ephesians 1:7)
I think back to allot of the ways I tried filling the gaps in my own heart. My own actions could have caused such terrible consequences. Some I’ve been rescued from. The eternally important consequences have been done away with entirely.
“And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. “
(Ephesians 1:22-23)
The key in counseling is recovery. People come and seek advice when they have an issue. God has the power to affect any situation. Learning to fight some situations will be a lifelong battle, others will see instant results. Some issues require the skill and experience of others. All issued should be brought to God who alone has the power to take care of the whole body. Often times He does so through by using His people.
Counseling Ministry - Empowered by the spirit to provide advice
“In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will..”
(Ephesians 1:11)
Here we see a biblical definition of what counseling is. It is weighing decisions in light of excellent wisdom. God the father can find no higher authority or wisdom than that of his own spirit. Similarly God’s people are encouraged to seek good counsel for major decisions. When people recognize wisdom or God’s spirit in us, they may choose to come to us for similar counsel. Seeking advice, confirmation or direction doesn’t mean abdicating one’s position of authority in the matter. All good leaders surround themselves with counsel but still maintain the final say. As counselors or ministers we must also never present ourselves as the final authority, simply servants of God who by God’s grace and Spirit have been provided a unique perspective.
“…for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:12)
The granting of this grace and position in the body is for a reason. He wishes to use us to affect others in the world and others in the body.