The Program Content

MODULE DESCRIPTIONS
The program consists of 12 modules. A short description of each can be found below.

BCF 1.1. DEEP CHANGE: DYNAMICS OF BIBLICAL COUNSELLING
Deep Change for Hurting People, Part 1

Studies in the nature and essential themes of God-honouring counselling. Understanding the divine agenda in the counselee’s life. The structure of true change. The shift of dependency. Introduction to biblical cardiology. Putting on biblical eye-glasses to look at people, people’s problems and God’s solutions. This module has proven very significant in the lives of hundreds of believers for over 20 years. An extremely valuable and critical beginning point for those who want to uphold the searching and direction power of the Wonderful Counselor through His Word.

BCF 1.2. DEEP CHANGE: METHODS OF BIBLICAL COUNSELLING
Deep Change for Hurting People, Part 2

The companion module to Part 1, this study of Scripture and the nature of human problems walks through the change process with biblical glasses. Unfolding four phases of counselling: the welcome phase, the understanding phase, the interpretation phase and the coaching phase. Developing a case study of "Mary" progressively through the four phases, this module will make specific the dynamics of Part 1. Students will be challenged to stretch, mature and refine what they do in personal ministry to others, representing Jesus Christ with greater self-consciousness to others – reflecting and promoting the Wonderful Counselor in his threefold office of priest, prophet and king.

BCF 1.3. THE INWARD FRIEND: THE COUNSELOR IN RELATIONSHIP
Lessons from Lashings (Job, the great case study in the Bible)

An advanced study drawn from the only counselling case study that comprises the whole matter of a book of Scripture . . . Job. Considering the relationship dynamics that will promote God’s work in people’s lives. How to grow in discerning involvement with friends, counselees and strangers to the end that you avoid the errors of Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, and promote the winning graces of Elihu. Understanding when right words are wrong. The central concern of the "inward friend," with practical projects emerging from the most extensive counselling case study in Holy Writ. Practical helps and directions to keep the main thing the main thing from the perspective of the Counselor relating to the counselee.

BCF 1.4. THE LYING PEN OF THE SHOFERIM
The Right Use Of Scripture in Counselling.

Dangers of undiscerning application of Scripture to gracious souls. Scripture considerations, directions and helps for a right suiting of Scripture antidotes to various conditions of heart and cases of conscience. Thinking biblically about the helpful and beneficial and legitimate use of extra-biblical data in helping people. The Bible’s unique approach to interacting with culture that neither ignores the surrounding culture not imitates it. Developing a model for interacting with psychology; appreciating the superiority of a biblical framework to critique and re-conceptualize such concepts as human neediness, low self-esteem and chemical imbalance. Issues of integration. The great concern and attention of a true friend is to avoid ill-application of Scripture, and to attend to the soul’s particular seasons, apportioning suitable divine helps in the right manner and measure. The practical use of the Bible through the four phases of counselling.

BCI 2.1. YOU ARE MY ‘LIFE!’
Understanding and ministering to people enslaved and addicted.

Understanding addictions biblically, developing the prototype of drunkenness as instructive for counselling life-controlling issues. Particular emphasis on the dynamics of "idol-covenants" which yields robust understanding and direction for any and all human problems, which tend and may grow to become reigning themes in the life of a believer. Helps and directives to the biblical Counselor in addressing a variety of life-controlling issues. A foundational and prerequisite module for all remaining "issues" modules.

BCI 2.2. GIANTS IN THE LAND
Understanding and ministering to people struggling with FEAR.

Understanding and applying the biblical theology of fear to life issues in the counselling setting. How to promote fear of God in the powerful times of temptation to fear man. This module stimulates the student to develop a substantial treasury of insights and helps to guide those presenting with immobilizing fears, anxieties, peer pressure, captivating and crippling giants in their lives. Case study scenarios are discussed to make specific the principles of transforming the governing centre of people’s lives.

BCI 2.3. ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE
Understanding and ministering to people struggling with ANGER.

Mining the richness of the Bible’s theology of anger in a way that avoids superficial solutions to issues of anger. Developing holy hatred biblically, managing and directing right passions in bold love to God’s glory. "For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." (Lk 6:45) Understanding this important dimension of our relationship with God, ourselves and other people.

BCI 2.4. THE DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL
How to help people in DEPRESSION or melancholy?

How to care for distressed souls – "the child of light walking in darkness." Thinking through the many-faceted experience of the dark night of the gracious believer. Seeking to be that one with "an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary" (Isa 50:4). Discerning how to speak a word in season, avoiding the opposite tendencies to be heavy when God is light, and to be light when God is heavy. How to minister to a downcast believer in situational evil and in moral evil. Discerning and addressing sin-caused depression, and protecting the blameless who are called to walk in darkness.

BCI 3.1. TASTE ITS CHOICE FRUITS
Issues concerning MARRIAGE – before, during and after.

Marriage counselling that is biblical offers much more than techniques, skills and coping strategies. It ushers spouses into the presence of the Bridegroom for nourishing, cherishing and motivation to be the number one earthly minister to the heart of his or her companion. Our approach to marriage counselling in this module not only addresses presenting problems and the need for relational skills, but exposes the heart issues to the grace of Christ. This module also examines central Scripture teachings on the ever-present issues of readiness for marriage and the essence of marriage, divorce, and remarriage. Students to be effective as biblical Counselors must think through the many issues, interpretations and applications of Scripture teaching to establish a consistent biblical position. Application of Scriptural principles to a variety of problems of marriage, divorce and remarriage.

BCI 3.2. LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER
Handling PARENT-CHILD issues in a way that promotes God’s work

As parents, what should your goals be, and how should you pursue these ends practically? How should you talk to your children and what should you talk about? How does Scripture shape the shift of my objectives as a parent when my infants grow into children and then into teens and adolescents? This module strives to expose the student to fresh biblical thinking about child rearing – shepherding the heart of your child. We keep the "heart-before-God" perspective central in applying the divine plan for parenting. Issues are examined from the eye-glasses of Scripture, both from the position of parent and of maturing young person.

BCI 3.3. UNDER THE ROD
Trials (AFFLICTIONS, SUFFERING, PAIN) sanctified.

To counsel effectively and biblically one must travel back and forth through the biblical data on affliction. This module stirs the student to build a confident biblical framework upon which to address the messy perplexities of the miseries of life under the curse this side of heaven. In other words, maturing in practical biblical sufferology. Application of the Providence of God to the matter of painful trial. "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial." (James 1:12) Wisdom from the Suffering Servant to bring honey from the carcass of a lion, to achieve inward renewal from the wasting away of the outer man. A right use of outward reliefs and comforts in the season of suffering grief in all kinds of trials. Soul-stilling, heart-strengthening counsel to enable a right handling of affliction. Satan’s devices and his hand in afflictions, and the Scriptural way to manage spiritual warfare.

BCI 3.4. WHEN STORMS COME
Wise use of COMMUNITY RESOURCES (the means of grace).

Immediate intervention strategies for crisis situations of domestic violence, bizarre behaviour, suicidal attempt. Promoting life by protecting the one in danger (the victim, the oppressed) as well as providing immediate resources for the dangerous one. Mobilizing local church resources, and under church leadership utilizing medical and civil powers and resources to promote God’s work of mercy, grace and truth to all involved. Guest specialists join the ICI «CORAM DEO» teaching staff to present practical helps from their special fields – medicine, social work, civil authorities, etc. specific to the immediate ministry setting in Ukraine. This module helps the Counselor discern the wise use of God’s props to the work of heart transformation, and to strive to build strong working relationships with like-minded professionals, agencies, and community resources.

Spiritual Warfare (a part of one of the 12 modules).
A brief but important study of errors in practical theology concerning devil’s involvement in the problems of a counselee. A proclamation of the non-occult worldview of Scripture. A study of devil’s cunning and his involvement in afflictions. How to wage a spiritual war in a Biblical way?