Parakaleo Christian Ministries presents…

BIBLICAL COUNSELING COURSE AT STANFORD
"Truth in Love for Life"

2009-2010: It's All About Relationships

2 Parallel Offerings (take your pick and come either):

TUESDAY evenings 7:00-9:00pm (starting 9/29)
History 34 (main quad, bldg. 200)
(or)
WEDNESDAY evenings 7:00-9:00pm (starting 9/30)
Nitery 209 (Nitery Bldg, Old Union Courtyard)

+ Optional Seminar/Discussion re. Applications:

THURSDAY afternoons 4:15-5:45pm (starting 10/1)
Nitery 209 (Nitery Bldg, Old Union Courtyard)

You are welcome to join at any time in the quarter

2008-2009 Syllabus: html / pdf

        …An in-depth study of the Word
        …The chance to explore what the Bible says about everyday counseling questions
        …A place to be equipped to counsel yourself and those around you
        …A time of rest and renewal in your week

About The Course

The Biblical Counseling Course is a unique extracurricular course that covers practical personal life and counseling issues from an entirely Biblical perspective. The Biblical Counseling Course at Stanford is free and available to all undergraduate and grad students, faculty, university and ministry staff. Participants attend numerous different churches and various on-campus fellowships.

You do not have to register or pay for the course. Come and join the course anytime.

Part 1: Growth and Change From the Heart

The course begins with amazing insights into who and why we are as human beings from the early chapters of Genesis. What motivates, interests and frustrates us leads into understanding the very practical dynamics of how the new life in Christ enables us as believers to grow and change (not so much the "what" but the "how" explained in depth in the heart of Romans) as Jesus restores us by the working of His indwelling Spirit. We apply what we learn to comprehending why we sometimes feel defeated or depressed, and how we are prone to habits and addictions that undermine our priorities, relationships, and spiritual life. Most importantly, we then learn how to overcome these feelings and habits in practice, so that we can be free to live our lives for God.

Part 2: Fruitful Interpersonal Relationships

Relationships are at once one of the most rewarding and frustrating of all our endeavors. As any relationship deepens, whether it be a friend, roommate, or family member, conflict inevitably rises. People annoy and hurt us, and we annoy and hurt others, often without knowing it. Confronting the other person is tricky; although we would like to let the other person know what they are doing, we don't want to hurt the other person, experience a backlash, or make things worse. In this section, we'll study how the Bible addresses these practical issues. We'll learn when confrontation is appropriate, and if so, how to reach out in a constructive and sensitive way that works to truly benefit the other person. When words do not work, we will learn through the poignant example of Jesus of how to best communicate. Some of the answers may surpise you; but once you know them, it will be apparent why they work. As a comfort, we'll also learn some of the practical benefits from going through these relational conflicts.

Part 3: Fulfilling Male-Female Relationships

For the single person: How not only to deal with the heartache of loneliness, but to thrive in singleness.
For those dating or engaged: How best to delight the other person while protecting the delight of physical love for marriage.
For those who have blown it sexually: How to rest in God's forgiveness *and* break the patterns that lead to blowing it.
For those married (now or someday): The secrets for understanding, love and respect.
For all: An insightful study of Genesis that reveals what makes each sex "tick", so that we know how best to relate to each other.

About the Instructors

Both Steve and Erica have special gifts to help bring these profound insights in the Bible to light. Steve is one of the most careful expositors of the Scriptures that I know, and Erica has her own sweet way of sharing how these Scriptures apply to our down-to-earth lives. The examples given are often taken from their own experiences and struggles, and they are very specific and practical. What I especially enjoyed was how both shared funny situations (at least in hindsight!) that all of us deal with, but somehow are seldom communicated with clarity in a large group setting.

- Jeff Wu

Comments about each quarter from other students who have taken the Biblical Counseling Course.

Sample audio from Session 21, Spring 2003. Text: Song of Solomon 2:15-17.
5-minute excerpt in MP3 format (2 MB file size).

Questions?

Steve and Erica Lawry
650-854-0194

Eric Osborne
Student president, 2009-2010
egosborn at stanford dot edu

Parakaleo Christian Ministries
P.O. Box 20462
Stanford, CA 94309