Christian Counseling II

Opening the course with the theme of interpersonal relationships, this lesson traces conflict from Adam and Eve through Paul and Peter, drawing on psychiatrist Harry Stack Sullivan and Paul's threefold division of people into non-believers, worldly, and spiritual. It surveys six causes of relational tension, including satanic involvement and difficult personalities, then teaches a practical confrontation technique and conflict-resolution skills grounded in respect and I-statements.

Using the story of Pam and Todd, this session confronts sexuality and sex apart from marriage, defining fornication and adultery and citing writers Lewis Smedes, Alan Bloom, and James Dobson. It examines environmental and internal causes of sexual sin, addresses masturbation, pornography, and homosexuality, and closes with counseling goals emphasizing that the counselor must guard confidentiality, examine attitudes, and lead counselees toward forgiveness.

Beginning with the abused missionary child Jenny, this lesson defines child, mate, and elder abuse and rape, offering sobering statistics and biblical teaching on discipline as discipleship rather than harm. It explores causes such as environmental stress, the kick-the-dog syndrome, and learned violence, cycles of tension and remorse, effects on victims, and counseling stages, recommending Susan Forward's and Jan Frank's works.

This midpoint lesson tackles inferiority and self-esteem, drawing on Alfred Adler's inferiority complex and distinguishing self-image and self-concept from self-evaluation. It weighs the debate between Jay Adams's self-crucifixion view and Anthony Hoekema, Bruce Narramore, and Robert Schuler, roots worth in being God's image-bearers, and offers counseling remedies including David Burns's Feeling Good, positive self-talk, realistic goals, and Walter Trobisch's insight on self-love.

Sharon Hill shares her own seven-year ordeal with a spinal bone tumor to frame this study of physical illness, engaging C.S. Lewis on suffering, the euthanasia debate, and Kubler-Ross on hope. She explains pain tolerance, loss of control, and defense mechanisms like denial and hypochondria, then gives detailed practical guidelines for visiting the sick and ministering compassionately to patients and their families.

Through widows Mildred and Helen, this lesson examines grief and loss, surveying the research of Freud, Lindemann, and Kubler-Ross and the field of thanatology. It walks through William Worden's four tasks of mourning, distinguishes normal from pathological grief, and considers cultural, personality, and circumstantial factors. Counseling guidance stresses patient listening, hope, and support, illustrated by C. Everett Koop's loss of his son.

Anchored in 2 Peter's call to effective ministry, this lesson contrasts good and bad communication, cataloging fifteen destructive patterns such as blame, martyrdom, denial, and passive aggression through examples like Joanne and Ted and Marilyn and Susan. It then introduces the five secrets of intimate communication: disarming, thought and feeling empathy, inquiry, I-feel statements, and stroking, all built on valuing the relationship above the issue.

Concluding the course, this session shows how to change communication and handle difficult people, teaching anti-thwarting maneuvers for silent partners and disarming responses to hostility, illustrated by Debbie and Tom and Linda and Fred. It covers punting unreasonable demands, listening to complainers, and ten attitudes that block expressing feelings, closing with a cost-benefit analysis exercise for changing entrenched behavior.