BIBLICAL COUNSELING BOOKS
Browse the books below. You will find required textbooks for students. Also, there are recommended books on various subjects.
Check back often as we will be adding many more books!
Ecclesiastes 12:12
Biblical Counseling: One on One Discipleship
Counseling: How To Counsel Biblically by John MacArthur
"Solid theological foundations of biblical counseling are clearly presented in contrast to humanistic and secular theories of psychological counseling. A practical, proactive, and relevant book for students, church leaders, and lay people. This collection of writers represents some of America's leading biblical teachers and counselors."-John MacArthur
How to Counsel God's Way by Bob Hoekstra
REQUIRED... "This book is about learning to counsel one another from the Word of God, living the Christian life and helping others do the same, and discerning the difference between biblical counsel and psychological counsel." BOB HOEKSTRA
Biblical Counseling: A Topical Index for Christian Living by Chuck Smith
This book, Biblical Counseling: A Topical Index for Christian Living, is a compilation of over 200 topics describing difficult situations that every one of us, believers and nonbelievers alike, may face in life at one time or another. It is completely searchable by typing in a topic, or tapping or clicking the contents page.
The topics are listed alphabetically, some with subtopics to cover different aspects of a situation. For example, when you see the topic Abortion, you’ll notice the subtopics, “Contemplating abortion,” and “Forgiveness after abortion.”
Next, we pulled nuggets from Pastor Chuck’s commentaries to help you apply God’s Word to your particular situation. Oftentimes you will find that these commentaries give illustrations to explain clearly and simply what God has to say.
Methods of Biblical Change
Self-Confrontation
"Self-Confrontation offers a thorough, in-depth discipleship training resource that teaches you how to study the Scriptures for answers to lifes problems. Based solely on the Bible, this thorough and systematic manual has been used successfully in many different cultures and countries.
The Bible contains solutions to every problem of attitude, relationships, communication and behavior..."-John Broger
How People Change by Paul David Tripp
"If youve ever tried, failed, and wondered why, you need How People Change! When the Bible talks about the gift of a new heart, it doesn't mean a heart that is immediately perfected, but a heart that is capable of being changed. Jesus' work on the cross targets our hearts, our core desires and motivations, and when our hearts change, our behavior changes..."-
Leaving Yesterday Behind: A Victim No More
This is a profoundly practical book that can help you be released from the bondage of yesterday. It is the biblical answer to living a full life.
A Theology of Biblical Counseling
Living Water by Chuck Smith
"Jesus promised His bewildered disciples that He would not leave them as orphans, but that He would pray to the Father who would send them another Comforter who would come alongside to help them and would abide with them forever. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would teach them all things and bring to their remembrance all the things that He had commanded them." CHUCK SMITH
A Theology of Biblical Counseling by Heath Lambert
"Since the beginning of the biblical counseling movement in 1970, biblical counselors have argued that counseling is a ministry of the Word, just like preaching or missions. As a ministry, counseling must be defined according to sound biblical theology rather than secular principles of psychology."-Heath Lambert
Chosen But Free by Norm Geisler
"The Reformed movement has gotten younger and more outspoken since Chosen But Free was published more than ten years ago, making the topic of divine election one of utmost importance to the church today. Young Christians in particular are in constant debate over these issues, wondering what is true and how it might affect their lives." -Norman Geisler
Marriage & Family Counseling
Strengthening Your Marriage by Wayne Mack
"For better or for worse? Whichever term describes your marriage, there are ways to make it (even) better. That's because God has designed marriage to be a relationship of deep unity and strength. Despite the challenges that couples face today, marital harmony need not be considered an impossible ideal."-Wayne Mack
Parenting by Paul David Tripp
"In the midst of folding laundry, coordinating carpool schedules, and breaking up fights, many parents get lost. Feeling pressure to do everything “right” and raise up “good” children, it’s easy to lose sight of our ultimate purpose as parents in the quest for practical tips and guaranteed formulas."-Paul Tripp
Preparing for Marriage God's Way: A Step-by-Step Guide for Marriage Success Before and After the Wedding
Preparing for Marriage God's Way is a marriage counseling resource that uses thoughtful self-examination to reveal the personalities, background, and expectations that you and your partner are bringing to your union. Through rigorous Bible study, you will learn about God's expectations for marriage and be equipped with his solutions for dealing with typical marriage conflicts. Three follow-up lessons after your marriage help you to reflect on all that's happened after you said, "I do."
Issues in Christian Living
Curing the Heart
"This book is really a textbook for anyone involved or interested in Christian counseling. Both authors teach the subject at a theological seminary in the States. Their influences include Jay Adams, a leading Christian psychologist, and Francis Schaeffer. This model of psychology is very much more prescriptive than anything in secular counseling, or in many Christian circles, but the authors are consistent in their approach and they have been teaching the material for many years. There are good appendices to aid the reader."-Bill Hines
Living Victoriously In the Battles of Life
Living Victoriously In the Battles of Life
Will Medicine Stop the Pain?
"Twice as many women as men will experience depression sometime in their lives, and episodes for women are likely to start at earlier ages, last longer, and recur more frequently, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (www.aafp.org)."-Elyse Fitzpatrick
Psychology Contrasted with the Bible
Why Christians Can't Trust Psychology
"Today’s search for inner fulfillment has exploded into the Recovery movement, complete with twelve-step seminars, counseling programs, and self-help books. Thousands are looking to Christian psychology to help them attain victory over modern dysfunctions."-Ed Bulkley
PsychoBabble
"Why is it many evangelical preachers shout from the pulpit about God's power, but they shuffle their emotionally troubled members off to the closest therapist? Both church leaders and laypersons seem to believe that the psychological "experts" have the answers for the wounded hearts and souls of God's people. "-Richard Ganz
Counseling the Hard Cases
"In Counseling the Hard Cases, editors Stuart Scott and Heath Lambert use the true stories of real patients to show how the truths of God’s Word can be released to bring help, hope, and healing into the lives of those who struggle with some of the most difficult psychiatric diagnoses."-Heath Lambert
Hermeneutics in Counseling
Basic Bible Interpretation
"Why study Bible interpretation? Dr. Roy Zuck points out that it is essential for understanding and teaching the Bible properly, essential as a step beyond observation, and essential for applying the Bible correctly."-Roy Zuck
Enjoy Your Bible
"Studying God's Word should become a delight, a pleasure, and a joy. This little volume is to help chart your own early excursions on the limitless seas of adventuring into the written Word of God."-William MacDonald
Quick Scripture Reference for Counseling
"Now in its fourth edition, this classic reference book helps counselors, pastors, and individual Christians with specific personal needs find sound scriptural guidance for resolving problems and growing in faith. The updated cover and packaging will attract new buyers to this already popular reference tool."-John Kruis
Interpersonal Relationships
Handbook of Church Discipline
This is a handbook for pastors, elders, and all Christians who want to see how Scripture presents the process of discipline that should operate in the Christian community. It was written in response to the various concerns that threaten to tear apart marriages, families, friendships, and congregations--concerns that call for a biblical approach to discipline that can heal fractures, restore right relationships, and ensure the health of the church. Developed around the five corrective steps found especially in Matthew 18:15-17, this book helps church leaders deal with the sorts of problems that require the church’s disciplinary response. Charting a course that combines discernment with appropriate action, this simple, readable handbook can have a profound effect on the community of believers.
Peace Maker
Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers." But it often seems like conflict and disagreement are unavoidable. Serious, divisive conflict is everywhere-within families, in the church, and out in the world. And it can seem impossible to overcome its negative force in our lives.
In The Peacemaker, Ken Sande presents a comprehensive and practical theology for conflict resolution designed to bring about not only a cease-fire but also unity and harmony. Sande takes readers beyond resolving conflicts to true, life-changing reconciliation with family members, coworkers, and fellow believers.
Biblically based, The Peacemaker is full of godly wisdom and useful suggestions that are easily applied to any relationship needing reconciliation. Sande's years of experience as an attorney and as president of Peacemaker Ministries will strengthen readers' confidence as they stand in the gap as peacemakers.
War of Words: Getting to the Heart of Your Communication Struggles
"Talk" seems so normal, so ordinary, so harmless. Yet there are few things we do that are more important. And underneath the normality of it all is a great struggle, a war of words that we fight every day.
Who hasn't been hurt by the words of another? Who hasn't regretted something they said? Who hasn't had to referee an argument? Who hasn't wanted to talk seriously with a loved one, yet there seems to be no time?
Recognizing that words are powerful, Paul Tripp shows us how the gospel transforms the way we communicate. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Word is the only hope for our words. In our war of words, he is the one who gives us the victory. Tripp directs us to a renewed reliance on our heavenly Father's abundant grace and a more Christ-honoring, people-benefiting life of talk.
Counseling Observation
The Christian Counselor's Manual
"The Christian Counselor’s Manual is a companion and sequel to the author’s influential Competent to Counsel. "-Jay Adams
Christian Counselor's Casebook
"This companion volume to Competent to Counsel and The Christian Counselor’s Manual is designed to help you assimilate and apply the principles of nouthetic counseling. It is an excellent tool for any Christian counselor who wants to develop a scriptural approach to counseling."-Jay Adams
The Word for Today Bible: New King James Version
"For over 30 years, Pastor Chuck Smith, founder of the Calvary Chapel movement, has been bringing Biblical truth alive in the hearts of believers. The Word for Today Bible focuses on a selection of his most powerful teachings and is packed with commentary, illustrations, and insights that guide readers to a deeper understanding of scripture. "-Chuck Smith
Shepherding a Child's Heart
"Written for parents with children of any age, this insightful book provides perspectives and procedures for shepherding your child's heart into the paths of life. Shepherding a Child's Heart gives fresh biblical approaches to child rearing."-Tedd Tripp