A reflection on Jesus' counselling style.  Your paper should focus on your overall impression of Jesus' counselling ministry, with a concluding section of what you have particularly learnt for yourself in order to improve  your own approach in counselling.

Jesus way of counselling was very powerful and effective. Never did He judge the people He ministered to. He was never moved by the situation or position of the person. He went straight to the heart of the matter at hand, and did not dilly-dally about.

As I read through the scriptures and saw each event and how He handled it, it would be so wonderful to be able to counsel like Him.

Jesus had genuine concern for the people He spoke to. Luke 4:18-19 says, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, (19) To preach the acceptable year of the Lord." ( N.K.J.V.). Acts 10:38 says, "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him." (N.K.J.V.).

Jesus' ministry was to release the chains and bonds the devil had put on people. He spoke deliverance and freedom to the captives.

All the sin was the result of the work of the devil, and Jesus did not condemn those who had come under its power. He came to show that we don't have to stay under its power.

Jesus was never too busy to help. When someone came to Him, He did not turn them away. He made Himself available to help those in need. He met people at their level. All people were special to Him. Although Jew, He did not snub the Samaritan woman which He could have done. He was concerned for her eternal condition, and spoke the Word of God into her heart and she received. Because of this action, many in that town received Him.

His style included acceptance and compassion. He accepted the people about Him as they were. He did not regard Himself better than the others. The woman that was caught in adultery was  condemned by man, but Jesus forgave her and counselled her not to sin anymore.

His love for people is evident in all the situations. Even when he criticised the Pharisees, he had the ordinary people in His mind. They were having a hard enough time without the extra bondage's of religious men. He said the tradition of men removes the power of the Word of God. He confronted people who should know better. The scriptures spoke clearly of certain things, yet they did not understand.

He explained the truth to them. Whether they received or not was their problem. Even Jesus could not make people see the truth.

He had the ability to know how and when to rebuke. In Luke 9:55, He spoke very sternly to His  disciples after they wanted to call down fire from heaven and destroy a village. He also rebuked Martha when she had a whine about Mary sitting at His feet. He spoke gently, but to the point. If he had of been tough, the consequences might have been damaging. This is very important. We must not just what to say at the right time, but how we deliver it.

The other thing that stands out in Jesus style is His ability to use every day situations and tell stories, or parables, so people can relate to what He is saying. He told of quite profound things of God in everyday language. Again, this brings Him in relation to His people.

There are so many things which Jesus did and how He did it that I must take lessons from. He identified with people by rejoicing with them, weeping with them and letting Himself get under their skin so to speak.

The lessons I must learn are many. First of all, not to be offended and judge someone who might have committed vile sins. Jesus did not. I must also rely on the gifts of the Spirit, these being knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge about the situation and wisdom in how to handle it.

The one thing that stands out through all of Jesus ministry is how He was led by the Spirit of God. He says He only spoke those thing which the Father had shown Him. In counselling, I believe that less can be more. We should seek the wisdom and counsel of God first, and them speak to the person. There can be too much "Well, in my opinion..." and "I think you should...". He is the perfect role model, and to exercise even some of His skills is a goal that all Christians should aim for.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1)         Buxton, G., Counselling Foundations., (Tabor College, 1993).

2)         Crabb, L., Understanding People., (Marshal Pickering, 1987).