Counsellor School
Learn the keys to effective and personal, intensive discipleship through Biblical counselling. Who Can apply?Time CommitmentOther Schools
Faith Foundations
Discipleship School Level 1
Discipleship School Level 2
Bible School on Wheels
What is Counsellor School?
Many people in our churches and communities suffer alone and wonder if anyone cares. You may feel inadequate or fear giving the wrong answer, but deep down you know you want to help.
God calls each of us to engage those around us with hope, help, and truth. Biblical Counselling Training will teach you to engage the hurting with grace-filled conversations that Christ modelled for us.
Join our Counsellors School (CSchool) and learn the keys to effective and personal, intensive discipleship through Biblical counselling. This course will help you to reach out in love to those who are burdened by sin and suffering by helping them to embrace the good news in every aspect of their lives. By becoming a qualified lay counsellor, you can assist CFC in ministering to the hurting and in making us a haven for those who need rest in the Saviour.
Structure and Format
Christian Family Centre in partnership with Biblical Counseling Center in Illinois, USA, offers the one year, three-in-one Lay Certificate in Biblical Counseling. This certificate is made up of three courses and will equip you to effectively minister the Word of God in one on one discipleship of those who are suffering.
Course 1: Foundations
The Foundations of Biblical Counselling course is designed to train Biblical lay counsellors. The course covers 23 topics and is presented via teaching videos. It includes a Biblical counselling workbook, and dozens of printable Practical Change Assignments which you can utilise within your personal counselling ministry.
Course 2: Portraits
Counselling observation with assignments and case analysis.
Course 3: Contemporary Issues
The Contemporary Issues course covers a wide variety of issues that are regularly encountered in biblical counselling. You will learn the biblical perspective on each issue and how to help someone facing these issues.
Format:
An intensive online course supported by weekly in person classes and group discussions.
Modules
Foundations
Module 1: Caring Like Christ
- Biblical Shepherding
- Reaching the Heart
- Sanctification Understood
Module 2: Helping Others Change
- Change Element #1 – Getting Involved
- Change Element #2 – Gathering Data
- Change Element #3 – Determining the Problem
- Change Element #4 – Determining the Solution
- Change Element #5 – Developing Next Steps
Module 3: Handling Emotions Biblically
- Viewing Emotions Biblically
- Getting Anger Right
- Dealing with Fear
- Overcoming Guilt and Shame
- Overcoming Depression
Module 4: Helping Struggling Parents
- Facilitating Family Forgiveness
- Helping Parents Learn to Instruct
- Helping Parents Learn to Correct
Module 5: Helping Hurting Marriages
- Embracing God’s Design for Marriage
- Embracing Biblical Communication
- Conflict Resolution
- Helping Husband’s in Hard Marriages
- Helping Wives in Hard Marriages
Module 6: Why Biblical Counselling Works
- Distinctives of Truly Biblical Counselling
- The Body, The Bible and Suffering
- The Body, The Bible and Psychiatric Medicine
- Growing as a Biblical Counsellor
The Foundations Course includes group discussions, reflection activities, quizzes and a final exam in the form of case studies.
Portraits
The Portraits course is a look into the counselling office with real people being counselled in the practical application of the Word of God. The course includes 10 videos, group discussions and a case analysis form for each video that needs to be submitted at the end of the course. It also includes one assignment to be completed at the end of the course.
Contemporary Issues
The Contemporary Issues course covers a wide variety of issues that are regularly encountered in biblical counselling. You will learn the biblical perspective on each issue and to help someone facing these issues.
Module 1: Heart Centred Biblical Counselling
Module 2: The Importance of a Life Story
Module 3: Approaching Mental Illness Biblically
-
Mental Struggles and Gospel Care
-
OCD
-
Bi-polar
-
Self harm, injury and cutting
-
PTSD
Module 4: Approaching Sexuality
- Counselling through Sexual Idolatry
- Same sex attraction
- Restoring Intimacy in Marriage
Module 5: Abuse
- Counselling Child Sexual Abuse
- Counselling Abused Wives
The course includes a workbook, group discussions, reflection exercises, case studies and a final exam in the form of case studies.
Notes and Books
- A file containing all the notes for the course is provided.
- Downloadable Practical Change Assignments for counselling use.
- Compulsory textbook – The Gospel for Disordered Lives (available free in the online portal)
- A prerequisite for continuing on to certification after the completion of this course – 1000 pages from the approved reading list of which 300 must be from an approved theology textbook. The compulsory books are from the approved list and form part of the 1000 pages.
- It is recommended to read one book per topic from the approved reading list but this is not compulsory.
What is the Time Commitment?
- 36 in person classes from 21 January – 28 October 2025.
- In person classes on Tuesday evenings from 18:00 – 21:00.
- Two week break in May.
- Two week break in July to complete first exam.
- Daily Bible Reading, time with Jesus, prayer and worship.
- Approximately 6-8 hours of personal study at home per week.
- Maintain and orderly, up to date file. File and notes are provided.
- Purchase extra books to be read.
- Complete weekly required reading before the class.
- Catch up on any missed in person classes via the online portal in time for the next class.
- Complete all assignments and the two exams on time.
Requirements to Graduate
- Graduation is the first Sunday in December.
- Complete Foundations, Portraits and Contemporary Issues. This includes all video lessons, readings, quizzes, assignments, case studies, reflection exercises and exams.
- Be issued the graduation certificate from Biblical Counseling Center.
- After graduation it is possible to pursue certification through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors.
Who can apply?
- Must have successfully completed Discipleship School 1.
- Be born again and filled with the Holy Spirit.
- Have a genuine desire to help those who are hurting and restore them to right relationship with God AND/OR
- Would like to grow more in God and understanding and practical application of the Word of God.
- Be able to meet the time commitments as detailed above.
- Must not be studying anything else or attending any other School at CFC.
- Must not have started a new job in the past 3 months.
- Must not travel extensively for work.
- Class size is limited to 10 people.
What does it Cost?
The following is included:
- Access to the online learning portal from Biblical Counseling Center.
- Compulsory Textbook – The Gospel for Disordered Lives.
- File and all notes.
- In person classes.
- Refreshments and car guard.
US$250 to Biblical Counseling Center for access to the online study portal. This is approximately N$4400.
N$1100 to CFC for file, notes, refreshments, car guard and in person classes.
The full amount must be paid by 31 December 2024. No payment plan is available.
How to Apply?
Step 1: Read through all of the above information.
Step 2: Ensure that you meet the requirements for being eligible to apply. If you have not completed Discipleship School Level 1, you are not eligible to apply at this time.
Step 3: Click the Apply Now button below and complete the application form.
Step 4: You will be contacted by the Counsellor School team once you have submitted your application.