The Biblical Discipleship Continuum
“Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” Ephesians 4:15-16
Biblical Counseling Ministries (BCM) exists to bring Biblical SoulCare™ back to the local church.
What is “Biblical SoulCare™”?
Biblical SoulCare™ is defined by BCM as “Living and speaking like Christ to help others become more like Christ through gospel-centered, Christ-exalting, compassionate burden-bearing”. SoulCare™ emphasizes that God’s work of sanctification in a believer produces immense horizontal blessings for a community of believers as we apply SoulCare™ toward each other (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Where do we see “Biblical SoulCare™” in the Bible?
Biblical SoulCare™ finds wisdom and power for life-change through the supremacy of Christ’s wisdom found in the sufficient scriptures. SoulCare™ is made effectual through the power of the Holy Spirit, unleashed by fervent prayer and is the primary role of the local church. There are many practical applications of SoulCare™ that the scriptures describe.
- Evangelism. All Christians are commanded to evangelize to those who do not know Christ. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” In a local church, this often looks like- but is not limited to- worship, service, and community outreach.
- Intentional. Another application of SoulCare™ is spiritual friendship and discipleship, where believers spur each other on to love and good works (Prov 17:17; Matt 28:19-20; Heb 10:24).
- Directive. 2 Timothy 2:2 says that believers should entrust wisdom to “faithful men who will be able to teach others also”, encouraging the rapid multiplication of disciple-makers. These exercises of Biblical SoulCare™ often take the form of small groups, bible studies, or accountability partners.
- Intensive. There may be times where intensive discipleship or correction is needed, and these situations should be addressed with soberness and love (2 Tim 3:16-17; Phil 4:2-3; Gal 6:1-2; Matt 18:15-20). Intensive discipleship usually takes the form of organized Biblical Counseling. Corrective discipleship follows the path of church discipline when a believer remains in unrepentant sin.
The local church is called to nurture a Biblical SoulCare™ culture as a community of disciple-makers who use their spiritual giftings to build up the Body of Christ. BCM identifies these areas in which a church may be struggling and helps encourage, strengthen, and equip the body.
“We are all mere beggars showing other beggars where to find bread.”
This saying has been attributed to several speakers throughout Christian history, and it is regularly quoted at BCM as the heart of Biblical SoulCare™. We have tasted that the Lord is indeed good. How could we drink of His abundant mercies and turn and offer anything less as nourishment for another’s hungry soul? As we become more familiar with the scriptures, the Holy Spirit will continue to convict us of the extensive application of those words for life and godliness both personally and horizontally.
Biblical SoulCare™ should not be an isolated department but a constant application of the sufficiency of scripture. There is no aspect of a believer’s life that is free of its permeation. This is why Biblical SoulCare™ should be pursued as a culture of the church, not a ministry of the church.
BCM helps build Biblical SoulCare™ in the local church by growing the church’s understanding of Biblical SoulCare™, by equipping leaders and church members to provide Biblical SoulCare™, and by strengthening care teams for the purpose of providing Biblical SoulCare™.
