DEMOLISHING STRONGHOLDS SESSION 1

FOUNDATIONS FOR BIBLICAL COUNSELLING AIMS OF THIS COURSE: AIMS OF THIS COURSE: Foundation for the ministry of setting people free. Foundation for the ministry of setting people free. a) The application of biblical truths to people’s lives. b) The expectation of the Holy Spirit moving in power. c) The use of caring skills. d) The belief that counselling must not be separated from “discipling” and therefore needs to take place primarily within the context of a local church.

BIBLICAL FOUNDATION FOR THE COUNSELLING CARING MINISTRY a) We are to continue and express the ministry of Jesus. b) Two biblical words: “Parakaleo” means to encourage or beseech, to draw alongside. “Parakaleo” means to encourage or beseech, to draw alongside. “Noutheteo”, means admonish, or warn, or correct. “Noutheteo”, means admonish, or warn, or correct. Our objective is to bring about changes in people’s: Our objective is to bring about changes in people’s: Behaviour Behaviour Attitudes Attitudes Motives Motives A key Scripture is 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. A key Scripture is 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.

BIBLICAL FOUNDATION FOR THE COUNSELLING CARING MINISTRY c) We are to love one another – John 13:34. d) We are to carry each other’s burdens – Galatians 6:2, Galatians 6:1-5. e) We are to assume personal responsibility for our lives - Galatians 6:2, Ezekiel 18:2. f) Teaching is also very important in this context - Mark 6:34, John 8:31-32.

FOUNDATION OF TRUTH: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE COME TO FOLLOW CHRIST? a) New People Born again Born again New creation New creation Dead to my old life Dead to my old life We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, ……… we too may live a new life.“ - Rom 6:2-4 We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, ……… we too may live a new life.“ - Rom 6:2-4 In Christ - Rom 15:7, Rom 8:1, Eph 1:3, Rom 8: In Christ - Rom 15:7, Rom 8:1, Eph 1:3, Rom 8:28-30.

FOUNDATION OF TRUTH: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE COME TO FOLLOW CHRIST? WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE COME TO FOLLOW CHRIST? b) Disciples: Committed to follow - Matt 16:24. Committed to follow - Matt 16:24. Committed to learn - Luke 6:40. Committed to learn - Luke 6:40. Committed to change. Committed to change. Committed to multiply - Matt 28: Committed to multiply - Matt 28:19-20.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES? We have a responsibility. We have a responsibility. Put to death old behaviour patterns. Put to death old behaviour patterns. “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed which is idolatry.” - Col 3:5. Put on new behaviour patterns. Put on new behaviour patterns. “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” - Col 3:12. Renew minds. Renew minds. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” - Rom 12:2.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES? Be set free from evil spirits that may have influenced us. Be set free from evil spirits that may have influenced us. “Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. A number who had practised sorcery brought their scrolls together and burnt them publicly.” - Acts 19:18. Demolish strongholds. Demolish strongholds. What do I mean by the word 'stronghold'? What do I mean by the word 'stronghold'? "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." - 2 Cor 10:4-5. "A wise man attacks the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust." - Prov 21:22

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES? Strongholds for us are wrong thought patterns and ideas which Satan and his demons influence and behind which they hide that can govern or dominate individuals, communities and nations. Strongholds for us are wrong thought patterns and ideas which Satan and his demons influence and behind which they hide that can govern or dominate individuals, communities and nations. To deal with all this requires effort - 1 Tim 4:10, 1 Cor 9:26. To deal with all this requires effort - 1 Tim 4:10, 1 Cor 9:26.

THE “SPIRIT WORLD” The Bible teaches us that there is a spiritual struggle. The Bible teaches us that there is a spiritual struggle. A personal devil – Satan. Satan is not the opposite of God, he is the opposite of the archangel Michael (C S Lewis). A personal devil – Satan. Satan is not the opposite of God, he is the opposite of the archangel Michael (C S Lewis). Demons. Demons. Principalities (NIV ‘rulers’) - Eph 6:12. Principalities (NIV ‘rulers’) - Eph 6:12. Demonisation. That is getting a grip to a greater or lesser extent on people's personalities or physical bodies, bondages, patterns of temptation and weaknesses that are not changed by repentance. Demonisation. That is getting a grip to a greater or lesser extent on people's personalities or physical bodies, bondages, patterns of temptation and weaknesses that are not changed by repentance. Strongholds can be: Strongholds can be: In the mind - need teaching, In the mind - need teaching, In the emotions - needs teaching and healing. In the emotions - needs teaching and healing. Have a demonic dimension - needs teaching, healing and deliverance. Have a demonic dimension - needs teaching, healing and deliverance.

THE “SPIRIT WORLD” The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit. Spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts. Angels. Angels.