Competent to minister : the biblical care of souls

Competent to Minister calls Christians back to the Bible, biblically ordained ministries, and mutual care; helps break down walls of intimidation that have hindered personal ministry among Christians; and presents the excellent, effective way Christ works through believers as they minister God's grace through biblical conversation, prayer, and practical help. It answers such questions as: What can Christians do to help individuals suffering from problems of living? What should churches do for suffering souls? What did the church do for almost 2000 years without psychological counseling? COMPETENT TO THE BIBLICAL CARE OF SOULS is for Christians who want to know what the Bible says about ministering the care of souls to one another. Who is equipped and qualified to minister Gods care and counsel to fellow believers? When we think of people who influenced our Christian growth, we remember people who lived the Christian life. They loved and served in humility and faith. Yet, when it comes to counseling, which we call personal ministry, most Christians consider themselves unprepared. May this book encourage you as you discover that God has given believers all they need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:B) and for ministering this life to one another. Believers, guided by the Word and empowered by the Holy Spirit, are equipped and called to minister to one another in the Body of Christ as they look to the Lord and His Word for help and rely on the Holy Spirit to be the true Counselor. By relying on the Lord, mutual care in the Body of Christ is a creative, spiritual process involving a person who needs help and another person who will come alongside as Gods instrument of mercy and truth.What we present in this book is just one small glimpse of what is totally available in the Bible. The Scriptures provide an infinite number of possible applications of truth to be ministered through a believer who has been transformed by the Cross of Christ to one who by Gods grace receives and responds.We pray that as you read this book, you will be encouraged to seek the springs of Living Water for yourself and for others. The Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit provide power for caring for one another as people are confronted by the trials, tribulations, and sufferings of life. Cover......Page 1 Copyright......Page 2 Scriptures......Page 3 Contents......Page 4 1 The Biblical Care of Souls in the Body of Christ......Page 5 2 Getting Past the Obstacles to Caring for Souls......Page 19 3 Every Believer Called and Competent to Minister......Page 35 4 A High Calling: A Common Calling......Page 51 5 Caring for Souls Inside and Out......Page 73 6 The Whole Counsel of God......Page 89 7 Salvation and Sanctification in the Care of Souls......Page 109 8 Living and Ministering by Faith......Page 125 9 Ministering Hope to One Another......Page 143 10 Ministering Love to One Another......Page 153 11 Ministering Mercy and Truth......Page 173 12 Caring for Souls through Conversation......Page 185 13 Cautions to Heed in Caring for Souls......Page 201 14 The Care of Souls in Your Church......Page 223 15 Believers Competent to Minister the Care of Souls......Page 241 Notes......Page 253 Other Books from Eastgate......Page 254 1. The Biblical Care of Souls in the Body of Christ 2. Getting Past the Obstacles to Caring for Souls 3. Every Believer Called and Competent to Minister 4. A High Calling; A Common Calling 5. Caring for Souls Inside and Out 6. The Whole Counsel of God 7. Salvation and Sanctification in the Care of Souls 8. Living and Ministering by Faith 9. Ministering Hope to One Another 10. Ministering Love to One Another 11. Ministering Mercy to One Another 11. Ministering Mercy and Truth 12. Caring for Souls through Conversation 13. Cautions to Heed in Caring for Souls 14. The Care of Souls in Your Church 15. Believers Competent to Minister the Care of Souls This book answers such questions as: What can believers do to help individuals suffering from problems of living? What should churches do for suffering souls? What did the church do for almost 2000 years without psychological counseling? What did the church do without the biblical counseling movement which began about 25 years ago? This book calls Christians back to the Bible and to the biblically ordained ministries and mutual care in the body of Christ that have effectively cared for souls fo almost 2000 years. - Back cover.