Grace Fellowship - Pretoria

A life-changing, eight-week modular course on the essentials of biblical counselling offered in both Pretoria and Cape Town. This course is based on the premise that Scripture is sufficient for all our emotional and spiritual needs. The course provides students with the necessary tools to use Scripture effectively in their own lives and in the lives of those they counsel.

Main teacher: Dr. Wayne Mack
Adjunct teachers: Dr. Joshua Mack and Dr Joel James

Registrations are now being accepted for the October 2010 classes.

Who should take this course?

This course is for pastors and committed lay people who want to learn to counsel from the Scriptures more effectively.

How is the course structured?

The course is structured according to a modular system. Each module is one week long (Monday to Saturday, 08h00-17h00 on weekdays, 08h00-13h00 on Saturday) and deals with a specific topic. The course is structured in this manner so that students can receive in-depth training in Biblical Counselling without interfering with their current ministries.

What does the course cost?

For the 2010-2012 academic year the cost for each week of classes is R400. Therefore, over two years, the total cost of the GSM counselling course is R3,200 (eight weeks of class over two years). This includes course notes and lunches. In addition to tuition fees, students will be required to purchase several textbooks. The cost of these books ranges between R400 and R500 per module. The cost of prescribed books is NOT included in the tuition fee.
Note: Grace School of Ministry reserves the right to change tuition fees without prior notice.

Will there be accommodation?

Limited accommodation is available for students from outside the Pretoria/Johannesburg area. Preference is given to international students.

Where are the courses held?

•Grace School of Ministry is situated at Grace Fellowship in Pretoria.
•Bible Institute of South Africa in Cape Town.

Course outline

The Biblical Counselling Course runs over two years. The classes run during the first full week of October, November, February, and March over a two-year cycle (refer to example below). For example: The 2010-2012 Counselling Course will look as follows...

YEAR 1

October: BIC110 - Fundamentals of Biblical Counselling
November: BIC120 - Methods of Biblical Counselling
February: BIC130 - Truth for Life: The Theological Basis of Christian Counselling
March: BIC140 - Christian Life Issues

YEAR 2

October: BIC210 - Marriage & Family Counselling
November: BIC220 - Marriage & Family Topics
February: BIC230 - Problems & Procedures in Counselling
March: BIC240 - Practicum, Observation & Discussion

The two-year Counselling Course is based on material developed by Dr Wayne Mack. The following is a summary of the content of each module.

(BIC110) Fundamentals of Biblical Counselling

This is a basic introduction to biblical counselling. Biblical counselling and its distinctive features are defined. The role of the counsellor, the place of counselling in the ministry, and various types of counseling are discussed. A comparison between biblical counseling and secular counselling models and theories is also studied.

(BIC120) Methods of Biblical Counselling

In this module students develop a comprehensive methodological model for counselling biblically.

(BIC130) Truth for Life: The Theological Basis of Christian Counselling

In this course students discuss the various theological truths that form the basis of biblical counselling. These include, the nature of God, man, sin, progressive sanctification, and the concept of the "flesh".

(BIC140) Christian Life Issues

This module looks at the nature of the Christian life from regeneration to glorification, the context of the Christian&undefined;s life and experience, and the gospel and Christian obedience. Sin is also defined and a biblical framework for dealing with it developed. The biblical function and purpose of the church and erroneous views on the Christian life are also discussed.

(BIC210) Marriage & Family Counselling

In this module students are given an overview of general marriage and family counselling issues. Specific issues, like husband/wife roles, are then dealt with in more detail.

(BIC220) Marriage & Family Topics

This module continues the theme of BIC210 and discusses a range of issues typical in marriage and family counselling, such as pre-marital, divorce, and financial counselling.

(BIC230) Problems & Procedures in Counselling

In this module students learn to apply the skills they learned in BIC110 and BIC120. Topics include, anger, divorce, fear, depression, homosexuality, incest, eating disorders, child abuse, youth counselling, and crisis counselling.

(BIC240) Practicum, Observation & Discussion

The final module of the two-year counselling course helps students apply all the skills they have acquired in the course of their studies. Videos of authentic counselling sessions are observed and then discussed. Students also participate in counselling sessions as counselor, counselee, and observer. These sessions encourage the practical application of biblical counselling principles.

Other Topics Covered During the Course:

- Hermeneutics and Counselling (Joel James) - Counselling from Proverbs (Joel James) - Spiritual Formations lab (various) - Counselling from the Book of Job (Joel James) - Essential Qualities of Biblical Counsellors (Josh Mack) - Counselling Young People (Josh Mack) - Mercy Ministries (Josh Mack)

What previous students have to say...

...If you are looking for a counselling course that truly upholds the authority and sufficiency of Scripture, a course taught with passion and affection, Grace School of Ministry is the place to go. This is not a course you can attend without your spiritual life and ministry being positively impacted.

Pastor Choolwe Mwetwa (Zambia)

As a pastor who has been in pastoral ministry for 18 years, I heartily commend the Grace School of Ministry Biblical Counselling course. I have used Wayne Mack´s book, Strengthening Your Marriage for many years. Knowing his love for Scripture and excellent application, I did not hesitate to sign up for the course when he arrived in SA.

Why has the course impacted my life and ministry? It has exposed the deficiencies of the pseudo-Christian methodology that many of us have unwittingly adopted in our counselling. It has personally challenged areas in my own life and marriage, grounded me more in the Scripture and demonstrated how relevant and practical the Bible is in providing solutions for every problem in a Christian&undefined;s life. It has given me more confidence in the sufficiency of Scripture and can be implemented in both the preaching and counselling dimensions of a pastor&undefined;s ministry. I heartily endorse it and encourage anyone involved in seeking to help people biblically, to enrol. Both you and your church will be blessed through it!

Roland Eskinazi (Pastor of Goodwood Baptist Church, Cape Town)

This programme provided me with a framework from where all counselling situations can be approached. After attending this course I have greater respect for the Word of God and its sufficiency in correcting lives gone wrong and to instruct those lives in righteousness. For the first time in my ministry I feel equipped to approach every counselling situation with confidence. I was freed from the sole responsibility to bring change in people’s lives. Through the use of homework the counselee is assisted to apply God’s Word in his own situation.

Ds. Piet Hattingh (Dutch Reformed Church, Middelburg, Mpumalanga)

  Download a brochure here.

Accreditation and Contribution of the Course to a Masters Degree

South African law does not allow GSM to issue certificates or diplomas. However, the GSM Counselling Course can contribute significantly toward the following degree programmes:

The Master’s College (Los Angeles, USA): The GSM Biblical Counselling Course will count for up to one half of the credits necessary to obtain a Master of Arts in Biblical Counselling (MABC) from The Master’s College. For more information on the enrollment qualifications and requirements of the MABC visit www.masters.edu.
Northwest University (Potchefstroom campus): For students who already have an Honours degree in theology, Northwest will accept GSM classes as the classroom work for a Masters of Arts degree. A dissertation will also be required, and can be written under the supervision of GSM instructors. Students who do not have an Honours level degree may need to complete additional modules. For more information on Northwest’s enrollment qualifications and requirements please contact us.
Note: Although we encourage students to take GSM courses for degree credit, it is not required that you do so. The training will benefit you and your ministry whether you are pursuing a degree or not.

Click here to apply for the Biblical Counselling Course.