Word Studies: Biblical Counselling

Class:

Week #16: January 16-20
Professor: Mr. Joe Schenke


Assignments: Read and give a book report on the book, Psychobabble by Dr. Richard Ganz and the What To Do When… counselling pamphlets by Jay E. Adams.

Mr. Joe Schenke was born in Chicago from a Polish Catholic background. He trusted Christ as a teenager. Mr. Schenke attended Word of Life Bible Institute and later received a BS from Trinity College and an MA in Biblical Counselling from The Masters College. Mr. Schenke served as Campus Pastor and Dean of Students at Word of Life Bible Institute in Schroon Lake, NY, for over 20 years and as a pastor of counselling and family ministry at Fellowship Bible Church in Sewell, New Jersey, and is once again the Dean of Students at the NY campus.

"Going into the week of Biblical Counselling, I went into it not thinking that I would really get anything out of it. Mr. Schenke was very encouraging and he challenged me that I can counsel people wherever I am, even if it's just being a good friend and being willing to listen to someone who just needs to talk."
- Monica, Sebringville

Biblical Counselling gives the students here at WOLBI an integrated study of how the Bible should be the foundation of life change. Instead of turning to music, seclusion, friends or medication, which is the world's answer, one needs to turn to God's Word when faced with any situation. Mr. Schenke takes principles from the Bible and makes them applicable for each student.  Biblical counselling is not just for the pastor or counsellor, but every believer needs to be prepared to share the truth found in God's Word with others. This class was able to prepare the students for Recharge Snow Camp, where counselling needs come up very often, and also summer camp when counselling is a major part of the weekly ministry.

"Now we exhort you, brethren,

warn them that are unruly,

comfort the feebleminded,

support the weak,

be patient toward all men."

- 1 Thessalonians 5:14

BW

Learning the Word: Biblical Counseling

From WOLBRANOS

Mr Joe Schenke was born in Chicago from a Polish Catholic background. He trusted Christ as a teenager. Mr Schenke attended Word of Life Bible Institute and later received a BS from Trinity College and an MA in Biblical Counselling from The Masters College. Mr Schenke served as Campus Pastor and Dean of Students at Word of Life Bible Institute in Schroon Lake, NY, for over 20 years and as a pastor of Counselling and Family Ministry at Fellowship Bible Church in Sewell, New Jersey, and is once again the Dean of Students at the NY campus. Like the other guest lecturers, Mr. Schenke is very willing to sit down with us over lunch and he makes himself available during the day if we need to talk. Throughout the week there have even been optional night classes on various issues that people may be struggling with like depression and anger. What a blessing to have him on campus again!

Once again we share the impact this course has had on its professor!

 "As someone who has been involved in Biblical counseling for over 20 years I have been reminded again of the critical role of that the Gospel plays in counseling. In fact the Gospel is not just something that we share with the unsaved but according to Paul was evidently something needed to be heard even after conversion (Romans 1:15).  Too often even biblical counselors can fall into the trap of a works-orientated counsel which focuses on the imperatives of scripture without mentioning the declarations of the glorious Gospel. This inadvertently results in despairing or self-righteous counselees who wonder why it’s so hard to change.  The Gospel proclaims that in Christ while we are weak and sinful , we are loved and welcomed.  It is clear that He loves sinners because He loves us. The Gospel changes everything about us, more specifically the Gospel will free us to lay our lives down and not keep a tally of sins committed against us, but rather will make us kind and tender-hearted teaching us how to forgive (Ephesians 4:32). The Gospel teaches us how to truly love even the most difficult people (1 John 4:9-11)."