Equipped to Counsel
Equipping the Saints for the Work of Ministry:
We offer Level-1 Certification in Biblical Counseling in partnership with the Association of Biblical Counselors.
It is our desire to equip you for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:12). This Level-1 Certification is ideal for laity, lay leaders, ministry staff and leaders, pastors and elders, licensed professional counselors, and anyone else who senses a call to care for souls.
We desire to see our students truly experience the Scriptures as “breathed out by God” (2 Timothy 3:16). Also, we will work to help each student develop the skill of “rightly handling the Word of Truth” (2 Timothy 2:15) in the counseling context.
We are committed to equipping each student with practical concepts of wisely and carefully applying the goodness of the Gospel to the matters of the heart and life. Teaching you how to do this both for yourself and those around you.
It is our prayer and hope to see our students develop sound doctrine and Gospel fluency.
Our Mission:
Curriculum and Materials:
Equipped to Counsel with First Refuge Counseling Education is a 9-month intensive and comprehensive training in Biblical Counseling.
The Journal of Biblical Counseling articles cover a broad range of biblical counseling and methodology topics. Many are written by CCEF faculty and from other authors, pastors, and practitioners in the field.
Your Walk with God is a Community Project by Paul David Tripp is a community discipleship video series.
"What did you Expect?" by Paul David Tripp is a Gospel-centered marriage counseling video series.
Classroom Training Times:
Our Trainings are two semesters. 1st semester is September – December and the 2nd semester is January – May. Students will graduate the training program at the end of May.
Classes are in-person once a week for 2 hours on Tuesdays from 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Classes are always held in Denton and generally meet on the campus of local church partner, and changes from year-to-year.
Assignments:
1.) 2-3-page reaction page paper on Your Walk with God is a Community Project video series by Paul David Tripp
2.) 2–3-page reaction paper on “What did you Expect?” video series by Paul David Tripp
3.) 2–3-page paper on your personal story
4.) 2–3-page case study paper
5.) 1st Semester 2–3-page process paper on Journal of Biblical Counseling Articles
6.) 2nd Semester 2–3-page process paper on Journal of Biblical Counseling Articles
2.) Completion of Counseling Notes for each session
1.) 1st Semester Open Book Exam
2.) 2nd Semester Open Book Exam
Training Cost:
Equipped to Counsel is $150.00 per month for 9-months (1,350.00)
Application fee is $25.00 (non-refundable)
Students can pay in-full for $1,375.00
What to Expect from this Training:
1.) Personal heart change
2.) Rich Scriptural instruction and teaching
3.) Increased hunger and thirst for reading and knowing God’s word
4.) Eye-opening experience in the Scriptures
b.) Renewed and deepened prospective on the Gospel of Christ
c.) Gained knowledge, understanding and wisdom in helping others
5.) Introduction on how to carefully and wisely counsel others from the Scriptures
6.) Theological instruction that is digestible and understandable
7.) Becoming more Biblically sound and Gospel fluent
Our Exceptions of You:
1.) We ask that you have an active commitment to a local church.
a.) Member in good standing and regular involvement
2.) We have an expectation that you be in class. We understand that life happens and sometimes things come up and are unavoidable, however we strongly encourage you make every effort to be present at class.
3.) We ask that students be on time for class.
4.) Be respectful and thoughtful during class. Counseling ministry requires a certain level of tact and gracefulness when engaging the sensitive areas of people’s lives and suffering.
5.) This Biblical Counseling Training will graduate individuals with a certification from the Association of Biblical Counselors. We take this very seriously. We ask that all students committing to this training uphold a conduct of integrity and be above reproach in life and ministry.
6.) We ask that students turn their assignments in on time to the best of their ability.
7.) We ask that students to make their payments on time.
8.) We ask that you work hard, have fun and learn as much as possible.