Teaching to Observe by Jay Adams

Dr. Jay Adams in his book Teaching to Observe argues that counselors must teach in order to counsel. Due to mankind being born sinful, not neutral or good, he is in need to be constantly directed and corrected by the Word of God. Even in the Garden, man was always meant to depend upon the Word of God. Man thus does not have the answers to his problems within himself. He ultimately needs to be taught by God's Word. Thus, counselors have an inerrant source to teach from that their counselees desperately need.

Not only do counselors possess a perfect source, they themselves must also be counseled by this source. They cannot teach what they have not received. Furthermore, Christians are commanded to counsel one another in Romans 15:14, Colossians 3:16, and Galatians 6:1. Counseling and teaching are even linked in Colossians 1:28. Also, the special relation of the Scriptures is necessary in counseling because general revelation in creation cannot provide enough information for man to live in God's world in obedience to Him. The counselor therefore must be careful to teach God's Word in counseling as God the Holy Spirit intended it to be taught and understood.

Adams then proceeds to give his readers practical advice concerning when and how to teach in counseling. He uses many examples to demonstrate his suggestions. Also, he details that counselors must know the truth, apply it to the contemporary situation, and seek to serve those entrusted to them as counselees. Adams further helps readers define terms, define Christian teaching in counseling, and define the fundamental laws of learning. He then encourages teachers to do whatever they can to reach their counselees by using clear, pointed, biblical speech with antithesis and teaching methods that work. Every counselee is different; and counselors must adjust the method in order to reach their hearers. To conclude, Adams gives some brief examples of common problems and questions brought up in counseling, and how the counselor should biblically respond.

Personal Application

Based on the arguments presented by Adams, I learned that I need to rebuke gossip and be more pointed in my teaching as I counsel. In the past, I have made it a point to listen to women or men complain about their spouses. After listening, I would then move on to detail the sin in the man or woman's life who just complained. I would allow them to get whatever off their chest, not allowing it to affect my opinion of their spouses; and then I would detail and examine the sin in the individual's life. I have always believed that I could not change the other person, the person not present, but I thought it would help the individual that was complaining if I just listened. Also, I wanted to gain the ear of the individual complaining so that I could teach them the truth. I struggle with wanting to be liked. Adams' work has helped me to see that being liked or "softening the blow" shouldn't be my concern. My goal should be God's glory alone. He takes sin seriously; so should I; and so should the counselee.