COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

North Alabama Biblical Counseling:
​​A One Year Course of Study in Biblical Counseling
BLOCK A​ (click title for course info)
Course 1:  Foundation of Biblical Counseling
In this introductory course the student will be exposed to the major doctrines essential to Biblical Counseling. The teaching is based on the premise that the Word of God is superior in methodology and sufficient for all things pertaining to life and the pursuit of godliness in a sin-cursed world. Topics to be explored include Justification, the Supremacy of Christ, the Sovereignty of God, the Glory of God, the Heinousness of Sin, and the Sanctification of the Saint. Should a student desire to pursue ACBC Certification (Association of Biblical Counselors; biblicalcounseling.com) this lecture series will provide the foundation to answer the theology portion of the exam.
Course 2:  Dynamics of Biblical Change
This is a class in practical theology. Topics to be covered in this course will include Biblical Growth and Change, Idolatry, Motives, and Emotions. The student will begin to experience Biblical Counseling up close and personal as he/she becomes the counselee and learns how to interpret their own character, motives and thoughts & actions through the lens of Scripture.
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BLOCK B (click title for course info)
Course 1:  Marriage and Family
This course will teach students a biblical perspective on the covenant of marriage. In addition, it will cover a variety of subjects related to family dynamics. Topics will include God’s Design for Marriage, Husband’s Role, Wife’s Role, Biblical Principles of Sex, Divorce and Remarriage, Parenting, and other family related issues.
Course 2:  Conflict Resolution and Issues Common to Man
This course will direct the student into a growing understanding of how the fall of man effects every human relationship. The student will learn biblical approaches for handling conflict and
disagreements. Through practical application of the Word, the student will gain skills in the art of communication, mechanics of Biblical counseling and will be challenged to examine a current conflict in his life from a biblical perspective. Other topics addressed are Anger, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Humility, Peacemaking and other common to man issues.
Future Offerings (click title for course info)
 Suffering, Grief & Loss ​
This class will address suffering and it’s many dimensions. Students will
discover how the Word of God brings comfort, counsel, hope and joy in the midst of suffering. Topics to be covered include: Fear, Grief, Loss, Betrayal, Disappointment, Shame, Death, Disaster, and Tragedy.
 Crisis Counseling
The objective of the this course is to provide advanced training on specific counseling topics pertaining to Crisis and Disaster Response. This training is based upon the Biblical Crisis Intervention model developed by Dr. John Babler & Dr. David Penley at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. The student will be instructed in how to give a biblical response to natural disasters, suicide, violent crimes, and death/dying. Also
included will be information on how to prepare your church for disaster relief and crisis ministry.
 Advanced Issues
This course will examine from a biblical perspective selected medical issues and psychiatric labels that may affect behavior, such as Depression, Fear, Worry and Anxiety, Bi-Polar Disorder and Schizophrenia, Psychotropic medications, Pain, PTSD, ADHD, Homosexuality and Addictions.
Counseling The Hard Cases
This course provides the student the opportunity to assimilate the knowledge gained through Foundations and Dynamics of Biblical Change by engaging with counseling scenarios related to Marriage and Family, Conflict Resolution, Loss, Crisis Counseling and Advanced Issues. Included in Course 2 will be a Practicum in Biblical Counseling. Topics covered in the practicum include the Character and Skill of the Biblical Counselor, the Mechanics of Biblical Counseling, Confidentiality of Biblical Counseling, Discernment of Presenting Issues. Student will be provided opportunities to observe counseling sessions in addition to developing and practicing counseling skills under the supervision of an instructor. Because of the complexity of the content of Block D, there will be additional classroom requirements that will involve extra days of attendance.
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