Endorsements
Bob Kellemen has made a significant contribution to the field of gospel-centered family counseling in his latest book. Readers will encounter a work that is both thorough and comprehensive, biblical and user-friendly. Bob possesses an inimitable ability to take big concepts and principles and organize them in memorable ways, and Gospel-Centered Family Counseling embodies this well. I have no doubt that this work will become a go-to reference for ministry leaders and counselors for years to come.
Jonathan D. Holmes , executive director, Fieldstone Counseling; author of Counsel for Couples: A Biblical and Practical Guide for Marriage Counseling
As I read Gospel-Centered Family Counseling , I was struck yet again by the thoroughness of Scripture for approaching counseling issues in wise and winsome ways, especially the crucial topic of the Christian family. Bob has put together a thorough, well-organized, biblical counseling strategy for equipping us to help families live God-honoring lives. This realistic yet hopeful approach also oozes with the compassion of Christ as counselors learn to minister to saints, sufferers, and sinners whose family relationships have been impacted by the fall. I will use it in our ministries at our church and recommend it at the schools where I teach. Thank you, Bob!
Dr. Ernie Baker , pastor of counseling, First Baptist Church, Jacksonville; chair of the online BA in biblical counseling at The Masters University; author of Marry Wisely, Marry Well
Having spent over twenty years as a biblical counselor, Ive often wondered why our movement has written so little on the subject of family counseling. My experience is that most biblical counselors are just not well trained in navigating the complexities of whole-family counsel. Having been trained in family therapy, I have a deep appreciation for Bob Kellemens inclusion of both parents and their children in the family counseling process. Gospel-Centered Family Counseling is theologically robust, philosophically refreshing, and methodologically rich. I highly recommend it to those counseling families and those training caregivers to work with parents and families.
Dr. Garrett Higbee , director of pastoral care for the Great Commission Collective; founding board member for the Biblical Counseling Coalition
In this training manual for pastors and counselors, Dr. Bob Kellemen draws on his many years of family counseling to provide us with a sharpening tool. The counseling questions in this book are as good as the sage wisdom provided! I served on a church staff with Bob and have observed his counseling care and insight firsthand. There are few more qualified to train us, and this book will equip both new and veteran caregivers in the care of souls, families, and the church.
Steve DeWitt , senior pastor of Bethel Church; author of Eyes Wide Open: Enjoying God in Everything
In Gospel-Centered Family Counseling , Dr. Bob Kellemen provides outstanding help for biblical counselors, pastors, lay leaders, and students working with and ministering to families. This is a biblical and extremely practical equipping resource I will refer to regularly as I seek to become a better and better family counselor.
Dr. Amy Baker , editor of Caring for the Souls of Children: A Biblical Counselors Manual
I was taught throughout Gospel-Centered Family Counseling , and it gave me scriptural insights and biblical wisdom for family and marriage mission statements. Bob is a wise mentor in this book and in life. As he sits next to you, he will not expect counseling perfection. He will gently equip you to help families and guide you in humility, prayer, and confidence in the Lord and his Word.
Dr. Ed Welch , counselor and faculty, CCEF; author of Side by Side: Walking with Others in Wisdom and Love
Title Page
Copyright Page
2020 by Robert W. Kellemen
Published by Baker Books
a division of Baker Publishing Group
PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.bakerbooks.com
Ebook edition created 2020
Ebook corrections 05.11.2022
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-2766-6
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.
Scripture quotations labeled ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2016
Scripture quotations labeled NLT are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Italics added to direct Scripture quotations reflect the authors emphasis.
The names and details of the people and situations described in this book have been changed or presented in composite form in order to ensure the privacy of those with whom the author has worked.
Contents
Cover
Endorsements
Title Page
Copyright Page
Acknowledgments
Foreword by Dr. Deepak Reju
Series Introduction
Introduction
Part 1: A Theological Primer for Biblical Family Counseling
1. God-Dependent Families
2. Parenting Like Our Heavenly Father
3. Parenting with Grace and Truth
Part 2: Practical Training for Biblical Family Counselors: How to Develop 22 Family Counseling Relational Competencies
4. Our Family Counseling GPS for Family Suffering, Sin, and Sanctification
5. Infusing HOPE in the Midst of Hurt: Resurrection-Focused Family Counseling
6. Building a Bridge of Tears: Sustaining in Family Counseling, Part 1
7. Connecting Families through Christs Comfort: Sustaining in Family Counseling, Part 2
8. Gospel Hope for Family Hurt: Healing in Family Counseling, Part 1
9. From Surviving to Thriving: Healing in Family Counseling, Part 2
10. Care-Fronting Family Sin: Reconciling in Family Counseling, Part 1
12. Family Wisdom and Strength from Christ: Guiding in Family Counseling, Part 1
13. Family Progressive Sanctification: Guiding in Family Counseling, Part 2
Gospel-Centered Family Counseling Commencement : Family Counseling Prayer and Praise
Notes
Resources for Family Life and Family Counseling
Back Ads
Back Cover
Series Introduction
As an equipper of pastors and counselors, I hear all the time how intimidating marriage and family counseling is. Recently, an experienced pastor shared with me:
Marriage counseling? Im clueless. I feel like Im standing in traffic on an expressway with cars going both ways, half of them the wrong way, most of them swerving out of control. I have no idea how to move from my good theology of marriage, to actually helping the troubled couple sitting in front of me.
Family counseling? Dont even get me started on that. By the time family members get to me, theyre so angry that they arent listening to each other. And half the time, they dont even want to listen to me!