1. Bethel Bible College
Pastoral Counseling
First Semester 2010-2011
Herald C. Cruz
Course Description:
Pastoral Counseling course is designed specifically for individuals in the Bachelor’s
program who want to be equipped for effective counseling in the Local Church context or related
Christian ministry. The course will consider counseling concepts and counseling situations,
which are common to the pastor/minister/church worker. The foundation of Biblical/Spiritual
concepts of pastoral counseling will be the main approach and at the same integrating other
beneficial concepts, approaches and methodologies. The first part of the course will be given to
the development of the person of the counselor. The later part of the course will be devoted to
the understanding key concepts in pastoral counseling and acquiring necessary skills to become
an effective counselor.
Course Objectives:
During the course the students will have the opportunity to:
1. Develop as a person so that as a counselor he/she will be more effective in the helping
ministry.
2. Identify personal issues in the life of the counselor that may strengthen or harm the ministry of
counseling.
3. Develop an understanding of care and counseling as valid components of the pastoral ministry.
4. Integrate biblical, theological, and other theories that relate to the total wholeness of the
person.
5. Develop a basic working theoretical knowledge of pastoral counseling and how it relates both
to our context in the world, which we are a part of.
6. Develop skills in listening, attending, empathic responding, and conversing as a counselor.
7. Develop healthy personal boundaries and ethical behavior in the ministry of pastoral
counseling.
Course Outline:
TOPICS REQUIREMENT
1st Session Counseling and its Foundation
2nd Session Counseling and its Place in the KOG
3rd Session The Counselor and his/her Emotional Tree Reflection Paper: My self
4th Session The Counselor and his/her Whole Package
5th Session The Counselor and his/her Life’s Purpose Reflection Paper: My Journey
6th Session The Counselor and the Filipino
7th Session Review and Open Forum
8th Session Counseling an Individual
9th Session Counseling and Marriage and Reflection Paper: Me and Marriage
Marriage Preparation
10th Session Counseling and the Family “Actual Counseling”
11th Session Counseling Models Part 1

2. 12th Session Counseling Models Part 2
13th Session Counselor’s Care
14th Session Final Examination Group Oral Examination
Note: The outline will serve as guide throughout the course
Course Requirements:
A. Attendance and Participation 10 %
B. Reading of Handouts 10 %
C. Reflection Papers 30 %
D. “Actual Counseling” 20 %
E. Final Group Oral Examination 30 %
Guidelines for the Requirements:
A. Attendance:
All students are expected to attend all sessions and participate as much as possible
(maximum 2 absences only).
B. Readings:
All handouts are to be read before the next session because it is one of the sources of the
Reflection Paper and the lecture of the day.
C. Reflection Papers
To be submitted according to schedule/assigned topic (Late submissions will receive
deductions). It must be typed written, 2 pages, double-spaced, 1-inch margin on all sides, font
12, and using Times New Roman or Arial.
Note: Reflect on the assigned topic/article and see how it relates to one’s personal
experience.
D. “Actual Counseling”
This will be an impromptu counseling session in the class which will be evaluated by
teacher and the class for the purpose of applying the learned counseling skills.
F. Group Oral examination
This will cover all lessons discussed previously and will be done during the whole course
and will be scheduled one week before the said day.

3. G. Schedule of classes
1. July 6 Introduction
Syllabus
First session
Give a sample of a reflection paper
2. July 7 Submission of first reflection paper
Groupings for the group presentation and group oral examination
Choosing of topics
3. July 8 (No class)
Reading
Reflection
Genogram preparation
4. July 9 Submission of second reflection paper
5. July 10 Group Presentation
6. July 13 Presentation and practice of the CIA
Presentation and practice of pre-marital counseling
7. July 14 Submission of third and final reflection paper
Reminders
8. July 15 (No Class)
Review for the group oral presentation
Finish all the readings
9. July 16 Group Final Oral Test
Focus on content and process
10. July 17 Attending a seminar and a short class at CEFAM