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Read the Holy Spirit and the Christian Therapist.
This interview and the video in the previous content section by Siang Yang Tan discuss the role of the Holy Spirit in counseling.
1. Discuss what you have learned from him (4-5 sentences) 2 points
2. Include your views on the interview and video (4-5 sentences) 2 points
3. Comment on one other learner’s discussion (4-5 sentences) 2 points
The role of the Holy Spirit in counselling is very important for the counselee as well as the counsellor.
Based on the discussions in the interview with Siang Yang Tan, there are many things that I learned from him about the Holy Spirit’s role. Firstly, the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit takes place in the Spirit’s power, truth, and its fruit. Therefore, the Spirit is essential to life and ministry. When we are continually filled with the Holy Spirit, it shapes us to be more like Christ.
When one stays in tune with the spirit, we are given spiritual gifts that help one to be fruitful in the area of counselling. It is important to balance the aspects of the Holy Spirit. In other words, power without love leads to abuse, and power without truth is heresy. I strongly agree that power based on biblical truth and Christ-like love produces renewal, revival, and deep healing within both the counselee and the counselor.
In the interview video, their discussions circle mental health in a church setting. It is clear that many suffer from different mental battles and that counselling can, without a doubt, help. Siang Yang Tan explains that sharing testimonies or even creating support groups can help fight against the stigma around mental health and not asking/seeking help. Sharing testimonies and creating support groups is a potent tool to help people suffering from mental health issues to realize that they are not alone.
In conclusion, the Holy Spirit is very important in all aspects of the counseling process as a whole.
The role of the Holy spirit in Christian counselling is crucial for effective therapy. According to Siang-Yang Tan, the Holy spirit’s work is essential in Christian counselling and psychotherapy.
The Holy spirit empowers Christians counsellors to believe God and see Miracles of recovery, change, healing, restoration, and growth. The Holy spirit guides counsellors to be non-coercive, accepting, and empathetic, pointing clients to God who alone has the power to deal with all problems. It helps with personal Growth, making counsellors to be effective in dealing with different needs and desires. The Holly spirit Transforms individuals, enabling them to experience divine power and increase in maturity, wholeness, holiness, and the fruits of the spirit.
Based on the discussion in the interview with Siang-Yang Tan, I have learned few things, I have identified ways how the Holy spirit works, The spirits power: Empowers counsellors to serve effectively and brings transformation. The spirit truth: Guides counsellors in to all truth, ensuring consistency with biblical teachings. The spirits fruits: Produces Christlike character in counsellors and clients, such as peace, love and joy.
The importance of counsellors being in tune with the spirit to discern root problems, provide spiritual direction and facilitate healing. balance between spirit and power, truth and fruit to avoid consequences like abuse and heresy. the ultimate goal is deep spiritual transformation into Christlikeness for both client and counsellor.
Siang Yang Tan states that the Holy Spirit is essential when it comes to the work of the Christian therapist. The Holy Spirit is the counsellor, comforter, helper and advocate.
Siang Yang Tan talks about how the work and the ministry of the Holy Spirit can be understood in 3 different ways; the Spirit’s truth, power and fruit. The truth refers to John 14:26 which says that the Holy Spirit will teach you all things and bring to remembrance all that it has said to you. The Holy Spirit’s power, we understand as Christians that the spirit is essential to life and ministry and we are commanded to be continuously filled with the spirit (Ephesians 5:18). This was my favourite part of what Siang Yang Tan had said “To be filled with the spirit is to yield to the Spirit, allowing the spirit to take control and shape us to become more like Jesus and to empower us to do the works of Jesus, which can include counselling.” Then we move onto the fruit. Naturally we think of the fruit of spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, love, joy, patience, peace, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
In the interview they had about mental health and the church, Siang Yan Tan was asked the questions of what kinds of struggles he sees within churches and he said the major struggles are the same that we have in society, depression, anxiety, stress, marital problems, parenting. The thing that struck me the most was that he said not all issues should be deal in the church. All churches should have a good referral system of good Christian counsellors, psychiatrists and professionals. He recognizes that not all pastors are equipped to handle certain issues and they shouldn’t try. This can cause more harm than good.
Siang Yang Tan has some brilliant insight into the role of the Holy Spirit and how that really plays a huge impact in counselling but also that there are limits within the church context in dealing with specific issues that a training professional can help with.
I completely agree, sharing testimonies and creating support groups can really help so many people realise they are not alone. Mental health in the church is really seen as taboo and a topic we want to keep undercover but it is real and as a church as the body of Christ we have a role to play in helping people overcome the challenges they are facing.
“When one stays in tune with the spirit, we are given spiritual gifts that help one to be fruitful in the area of counselling.” I completely agree with this statement, when you stay intune with the spirit it it natural to produce fruit because you are not doing your own thing and going in your own direction. When we lean on the Holy Spirit for guidance and wisdom we will receive it, we receive what we need when we need it but we have to remain obedient.
I really appreciated the scriptures added to your discussion. It shows the Biblical truth that can be seen in Siang Yang Tan’s topic of the Holy spirit. Especially the mention of John 14:36 “The Holy Spirit will teach you all things and bring to remembrance all that it has said to you”. This stood out to me because this shows us as Christians that the Holy Spirit is very powerful.
I agree with you that all churches should have a good referral system with good Christian counsellors, psychiatrists and professionals. There are a lot of people who are struggling in diffrent communities, therefore it is essential to deal with these mental health issues so that we ensure positive impact in God’s kingdom.
1. From Siang Yang Tan’s interview and video, I have gained a deeper understanding of the Holy Spirit’s significance in counseling. Tan emphasizes that the Holy Spirit acts as a counselor’s guide, providing wisdom and insight, and helping clients tap into spiritual resources. This resonates with the idea that holistic healing encompasses the spiritual aspect. Additionally, I learned about Tan’s approach to prayer and discernment in counseling, which incorporates the Holy Spirit’s leading in the therapeutic process.
2. The interview and video underscore the importance of integrating spirituality into counseling. I appreciate how Tan presents a balanced approach that respects diverse belief systems while acknowledging the role of the Holy Spirit. The emphasis on humility and dependency on the Spirit aligns with effective counseling practices. However, some viewers might find it challenging to reconcile spiritual concepts with psychological techniques. Overall, the content prompts reflection on how spiritual dimensions can enrich therapeutic work.
3. In response to another learner’s discussion, I agree with their point about the potential limitations of incorporating the Holy Spirit into counseling. While spiritual guidance can be valuable, it might not suit every client or therapeutic context. Some clients may have different spiritual beliefs or none at all. Therefore, counselors should be adaptable and attuned to their clients’ needs, ensuring that the integration of the Holy Spirit is done respectfully and inclusively. Balancing spiritual aspects with evidence-based techniques remains crucial for effective counseling outcomes.
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