In a culture that stresses pop-psychology solutions to life’s difficulties as opposed to seeking out scripturally founded advise, it’s common for believers to struggle between the two often-incompatible poles. Thankfully there are publishers and foundations dedicated to equipping believers with accessible, entry-level counseling resources.
The Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF) has produced a series of mini-books covering a wide range of vital, relevant topics that individuals face as they move through life’s challenges. Approximately 20 pages in length, each is written by a respected author in the field of biblical counseling and focuses upon introductory approaches to very specific topics.
These little booklets are useful not only to those directly engaged in counseling, but to churches as general outreach. Each of the mini-books is distinctly Christ-focused, never excusing sin, but dealing with it sensitively and offering His forgiveness at every turn. Abortion, single parenting, dealing with guilt, eating disorders, adoptive children, marital preparation, angry children, recovering from adultery, peer pressure, and many more practical subjects are addressed in the series.
Color-coded into broad counseling areas, green shaded titles represent marriage and family resources, red toned covers are for parenting resources, and blue is reserved for resources for personal change. Having read through just over twenty of the titles in the series I can attest to the fact that they leave readers full of hope for their situation – no mater how desperate – in light of the redemption that Christ offers.
Each title opens with a personal anecdote from the author, or a real-life scenario that may be similar to those that the reader (or the reader’s loved ones) may be facing. This is then followed by a scriptural examination of the key principles involved with the topic, and the book then concludes with a section on practical strategies for change. Like any advice that is generally offered without personal knowledge of the situation at hand, there is only so far a 20-page booklet can take you. In-person counseling may be necessary depending upon the complexity and severity of the situation; still these little books make a good jumping-in point.
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