Training

Training the saints to certification in biblical counseling

Overview

We are a full-service training center.

If you’re looking to be certified as a biblical counselor, we offer teaching and training to complete all three Phases of the ACBC certification process.

If you’re looking to better handle the word of God in your counsel to others, we offer classes and resources. From your first day in class until your last day of supervised counseling, we can walk with you every step of the way.

Before signing up for training, we recommend reading through the ACBC Beliefs and Statements. Rod and Staff will uphold these beliefs and statements, including the Statement on Female Pastors. ACBC will not certify anyone who attends a church with a female pastor, and we will uphold ACBC’s standards in class when teaching on this topic. 

Phase 1 (Instruction)

As with all disciplines, the first step in gaining competency begins with understanding concepts.  We hold classes in the spring and fall of each year where you can sign up to learn a solid foundation and robust comprehension of biblical counseling.

Our Semester One and Semester Two classes fulfill Phase 1  of ACBC’s Biblical Counseling Training requirement. For more information on becoming a certified biblical counselor, please visit https://biblicalcounseling.com/training/

Cost per class: 

Through December 12: $150 for individual; $200 total for couples
Lowest price available.

December 13 – January 2: $175 for individual; $225 total for couples

January 3 – January 16: $225 for individual; $275 total for couples

*We also charge $25 for our printed Student Manual for each in-person student and $10 for our digital Student Manual for each virtual student.

 

Dates:

Semester One: Principles of Biblical Counseling

  • LifePoint Church: Tuesdays, January 16 – April 2, 7pm – 9pm EST

Semester Two: The Practice of Biblical Counseling

  • Gray Road Baptist Church: Mondays, January 15 – April 1, 7pm – 9pm EST
  • Live Virtual: Mondays, January 15 – April 1, 7pm – 9pm EST
  • LifePoint Church: Tuesdays, January 16 – April 2, 7pm – 9pm EST

Please note: Live Virtual Semester One will be offered every August and Live Virtual Semester Two will be offered every January.

Semester One – Principles of Biblical Counseling

Counseling practice must be informed by a solid, biblical framework at every point. The content of this class lays the theological foundation necessary for competency in counseling practice.

Topics covered include: Requirements
  • What is Biblical Counseling?
  • Why the need for Biblical Counseling?
  • Resources to respond well
  • Warning Signals
  • Confession, repentance, and forgiveness
  • Communication, Change and Conflict Resolution
  • Creating a Culture of Hope: Foundations of One-Another Ministry

Must attend 10 out of 12 classes for completion.

Reading Requirements:

  •  Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands by Paul David Tripp
  • Seeing with New Eyes by David Powlison
  • We do not sell these books, so you can purchase them from a bookstore or online.  

Writing Requirements: 

Two single page book reports on the required reading books

 

Semester Two – The Practice of Biblical Counseling

From theological concepts springs counseling practice. God-honoring Biblical counseling demands a Bible-saturated methodology. The content of this class discusses counseling practice, discerns counseling models, and discovers biblical problems and their solutions.

Topics covered include: Requirements
  • What makes Biblical Counseling biblical?
  • Models of Counseling
  • Biblical Counseling Methodologies
  • Discipline, Legal Duties, Debt, Disease, Psychotropic Drugs, Depression, Life-Dominating Sins, and Demons
  • Sanctification in Marriage
  • Sanctification in Parenting

Must attend 10 out of 12 classes for completion.

Reading Requirements:

  • Counseling: How to Counsel Biblically by John MacArthur
  • Competent to Counsel by Jay Adams
  • We do not sell these books, so you can purchase them from a bookstore or online. 

Writing Requirements: 

10-page paper comparing Biblical Counseling and Psychology models

 

Phase 2: Exam Prep

Observation

Students pursuing ACBC certification are afforded opportunities to observe, assist, and lead live counseling alongside an ACBC certified counselor who has been trained by Rod and Staff. We also have opportunities for you to watch pre-recorded videos of past counseling sessions to gain a better understanding of what happens in the counseling room.

 

 

 

Semester Three – Exam Preparation Course

Semester Three is designed to help you excel at the written portion of the ACBC Certification exam. Each student writes a number of answers from the exams, and the instructor imparts feedback and discussion. This class provides (1) the opportunity to get feedback from the instructors on each question, (2) the opportunity to compile a rough, general outline for each exam question, and (3) plenty of articles from the instructors to help with exam research.

Each question on the ACBC exam is covered in detail with examples given.

This course is held once a year in April/May on Saturday mornings. Or we have an online version of this course that can be taken anytime.

Cost:

In-Person – $125*  (in-person students receive 50% the  online course – a great way to extend your training!  all tiers provide access to the videos for one year; some tiers include quarterly group discussions, written feedback on your exam answers, and personal coaching) Learn More

Online – tiered pricing* view prices

*We highly recommend the in-person course for our local students with the option to extend your training by enrolling in the online course.

Spring 2024 dates:

Live Virtual: Mondays, April 15, April 29, May 6, May 13, May 20, 7pm – 9pm

Phase 3: Supervised Counseling

Supervision is the final component of the ACBC certification process which requires 50 sessions of supervision by an ACBC Fellow. Upon passing the exams, Rod and Staff Ministries is able to provide supervision of the required 50 hours of counseling for ACBC certification.

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Rod and Staff Ministries

. . .exists to equip churches to strengthen the saints to live above sin, suffering, and circumstance through sanctification (greater conformity to Jesus) unto satisfaction (greater capacity to enjoy Jesus) Soli Deo Gloria. . .