The Art of Spiritual Friendship
Weekly Formation Rhythm
Each week you will be required to:
- Read assigned texts from Scripture and the required course readings.
- Memorize assigned Scripture passages. These passages shape biblical categories for understanding people, problems, and change, and will equip you to speak God’s Word wisely in moments of care and counsel.
- Listen to any episode of E4:12 Catalyst or another approved podcast that aligns with your current spiritual needs, counseling development, or ministry context. This will cultivate discernment, theological reflection, and wisdom for spiritual friendship and soul care.
- Submit a weekly spiritual journal reflecting on Scripture engagement, podcast listening, personal heart awareness, and current relationships. Journals will be assessed for faithfulness, thoughtfulness, and gospel-centered reflection and will be a primary tool in your spiritual coaching.
- Meet with a spiritual coach once every eight weeks for prayer, reflection, encouragement, and accountability. These meetings will help you process what you are learning, discern patterns of growth and concern, and identify next steps in becoming a wise and faithful spiritual friend.
These rhythms are designed to cultivate Scripture-shaped understanding, gospel-formed compassion, and Christlike care for others.
Formation Projects
Participants will complete four cumulative projects during the year. Each project functions as a formative capstone, integrating Scripture, theology, self-awareness, and spiritual friendship practice. Projects are reviewed in conversation with a spiritual coach and assess growth, clarity, and wisdom.
Philosophy of Counseling: A paper articulating your convictions about the nature, purpose, and practice of biblical counseling and spiritual friendship.
Philosophy of Biblical Change: A theological and pastoral explanation of how God brings about lasting heart and life change through the gospel, Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and the local church.
Case Study: A written case study that demonstrates the participant’s ability to understand a person biblically, interpret problems through Scripture, and propose wise, gospel-centered care.
Spiritual Friendship Reflection: A reflective paper that draws from weekly spiritual journals to identify patterns of growth, areas of struggle, and hopes for continued faithfulness in caring for others.
These rhythms are designed to cultivate Scripture-shaped understanding, gospel-formed compassion, and Christlike care for others.
Required Reading
- Seeing with New Eyes – David Powlison
- Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands – Paul Tripp
- The Gospel for Disordered Lives – Jones, Kellen, and Green
- A Theology of Biblical Counseling – Heath Lambert
First Quarter (September – October)
Biblical Counseling – Basis and Beliefs
- Week 1: Mandate of Biblical Counseling
- Week 2: The Definition and Goal of Biblical Counseling
- Week 3: Who Can and Should Counsel?
- Week 4: How We Change: Progressive Sanctification and Change
- Week 5: How We Change: Progressive Sanctification and Change (Cont.)
- Week 6: Getting to the Heart
- Week 7: The Local Church Is the Best Context
- Week 8: What Makes Counseling Biblical
Capstone Project 1: Philosophy of Counseling
Spiritual Coaching Check-In (Week 8)
Second Quarter (October – January)
Biblical Counseling Practices
- Week 9: Investigate: Gathering the Right Data with Wisdom and Care
- Week 10: Interpret: Understanding the Problem Biblically
- Week 11: Initiate: Building Trust and Connection
- Week 12: Inspire: Awakening Gospel-Driven Change
- Week 13: Intervene: Addressing Sin and Applying Reproof
- Week 14: Infuse: Offering True Hope in Christ
- Week 15: Instruct: Teaching God’s Path of Transformation
- Week 16: Integrate: Building Habits for Long-Term Growth
Capstone Project 2: Philosophy of Biblical Change
Spiritual Coaching Check-In (Week 16)
Third Quarter (January – March)
Marriage and Family Counseling
- Week 17: God’s Purpose for Marriage
- Week 18: Roles in Marriage
- Week 19: Communication in Marriage
- Week 20: Sex and Sexuality in Marriage
- Week 21: The Goal of Parenting
- Week 22: Parental Instruction
- Week 23: Parental Discipline
- Week 24: Kids and Social Media
Capstone Project 3: Case Study
Spiritual Coaching Check-In (Week 24)
Fourth Quarter (March – April)
Common Problems in Biblical Counseling
- Week 25: Guilt and Repentance
- Week 26: Forgiveness
- Week 27: Trials and Suffering
- Week 28: Fear and Worry
- Week 29: Anger
- Week 30: Depression
- Week 31: Sexual Sin
- Week 32: Medical Issues
Capstone Project 4: Spiritual Friendship Reflection
