What we do at TIL is a small subset of DISCIPLESHIP. Discipleship is the command given us in the Great Commission. The way I conceptualize it is that discipleship is a BIG PIZZA with lots of slices and one little slice of this “pizza pie” is Biblical Counseling.
Biblical Counseling is “micro-discipleship” in that we usually focus upon one area of the disciple’s life at a time to try to bring some resolution or change in thinking. We may be working with someone who is extremely sad, fearful, angry, grieving a loss, embattled in marital and familial problems, and the like. Our team approach to ministry focuses upon this one area by giving the person the Bible’s perspective on their problems and practical solutions to implement derived from biblical truths. Yes, the Bible is VERY practical.
So, when we say that we do “discipleship,” we most certainly do – in a very pin-pointed, focused manner!
As to what we do, Proverbs 9:9 says it best: “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.” – The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (electronic ed.) . Good News Publishers: Wheaton.
-Mark (training others to do the hard work of pin-pointed, “micro” discipleship)