Episode 51: Common Mistakes in Biblical Counseling (with Tim Pasma)

The burden to counsel well can lie heavy on our minds and hearts. No one knows that better than Pastor Tim Pasma.

He understands your world as Tim is the Senior Pastor of about 130 people at LaRue Baptist Church in LaRue, OH. Tim is also an ACBC Fellow and Board Member, author, and speaker.

In this episode, you’ll hear some of the areas counselors are most likely to make mistakes, the key difference between teaching and counseling, encouragement for those worried about making a mistake in counseling, and much more.

Listen in!

Resources:

• LaRue Baptist Church
• Learn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™
• Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.org

Key Takeaways

1. We are merely the messenger. God is the one who completes the work, convicts hearts, and changes their minds. We are His instruments that carry His message to people. When we consider counseling from that perspective, it’s a relief that we are not the ones trying to save souls by our own strength and knowledge.
2. Regularly review and prepare for your counseling sessions. It’s important that we thoughtfully and prayerfully assess each counseling case. One helpful question to ponder is this: What is the one thing this counselee needs to change this week by the grace of God?
3. Ensure you are giving out good homework. Tim shared that good homework is characterized by three things: thinking, doing, and verifiable. By following this format, you can help get a clear picture of how much progress is being made and where to direct your efforts next.

Meet Tim

Tim Pasma is the Senior Pastor of LaRue Baptist Church in LaRue, Ohio. He has been serving there since 1985. Tim is also an author, speaker, and an ACBC Fellow and Board Member. He has contributed chapters to books on counseling, such as Legal Issues in Biblical Counseling, and authored Counsel for the Dying: Conversations at the Exit of Life for ACBC’s Truth in Love resources. Tim has been married to his wife, Rebecca, since 1977, and they have six adult children and many active grandchildren.