Thank you for joining us for the first blog post of Biblical Soul Care UK! As we embark on this journey together, I thought it would be helpful to start by explaining what biblical counselling is. Some refer to it as "intensive discipleship," others call it "soul care," and some simply use the term "counselling." While the word "counselling" may carry some misconceptions, it is a thoroughly biblical concept.

In Romans 15:14, Paul commends the believers in Rome for their spiritual maturity, which is demonstrated not only by their goodness and knowledge but also by their ability to "admonish" one another. The term "admonish" here can also be translated as "counsel." The Greek word noutheteō conveys both encouragement and warning: encouraging good behaviour and warning against sinful practices. This ability is grounded in being filled with goodness and knowledge—knowledge that comes from God's Word. This is just one of the many "one another" commands in the New Testament that describe how Christians are to live in relation to each other because of their shared faith in Christ.

The reality is that we all counsel each other, whether we realise it or not. When a friend shares a problem with us, we inevitably respond, sometimes with words, sometimes with silence, but our responses carry meaning. Some might feel unequipped to give advice and may choose to simply listen, but biblical counselling calls us to a higher standard. The example of Christ is one of truth-telling, guiding His disciples and followers in ways that equipped them to live for God's glory. Every Christian counsels out of their understanding of God and the gospel, whether they realise it or not. The counsel we give, whether it's pragmatic, secular, or biblical, reflects what we believe will be helpful.

Biblical counselling, at its core, is offering God’s wisdom for life’s problems. We don’t deny that some issues require medical treatment. When a Christian is diagnosed with cancer there are still spiritual issues to face even if the cause was not spiritual. A physical ailment like an underactive thyroid can have spiritual symptoms such as depression. Whatever medical care is required, there will always be a spiritual dimension that needs to be addressed. Christians in these situations may need counselling to help them walk through their struggles with a God-centred perspective. Biblical counselling points people to God's Word, helping them apply its principles to whatever challenges they face.

One of the key challenges for Christians is the condition of our hearts. As Jeremiah reminds us, "the heart is deceitful" (Jeremiah 17:9), and we can easily be "overtaken by a fault” (Galatians 6:1). When we’re spiritually blind to our own struggles, we need fellow Christians to admonish and counsel us. However, biblical counselling is not just about rebuking sin. Paul’s instruction tells us to "warn those who are idle, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, and be patient with everyone" (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Counselling involves walking alongside others, offering comfort, encouragement, and support in the midst of suffering, always with patience and love.

For too long, Christians have hesitated to engage in this type of ministry, often feeling unsure of what to say, especially when someone’s circumstances differ from our own. But this is precisely where the body of Christ comes into play. God has gifted the church today with evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip the saints for ministry (Ephesians 4:12). The Word of God is sufficient to address every aspect of life. "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness." (2 Peter 1:3) We are called to minister to one another, sharing the truth of God's Word with those who need it.

One of the greatest concerns is when the church outsources counselling to those who are not Christians. While professionals from the caring fields may provide their own worldly insights and help, true spiritual guidance comes from God’s Word, and it requires God’s people to deliver it. Secular qualifications cannot replace the wisdom that comes from Scripture.

Biblical Soul Care UK exists to equip God’s people to do God’s work in God’s way. This post only scratches the surface, and undoubtedly, it may raise more questions than it answers. But we are confident that God’s Word is sufficient, even when we are not. Our prayer is that the resources on this site will encourage and equip you to minister faithfully to the body of Christ, especially in times of need. We hope you continue exploring how God’s Word can guide us in the practical work of soul care and discipleship.