Evangelism: Salvation Counseling Guide

---

The Three Salvation Questions

There are three questions that a person being saved must ask and have answered for them. These questions are not printed in the Bible, but are inherent in the very nature of what is being accomplished when someone is seeking answers about their eternal destiny.

1. What does it mean to be saved?
2. Why do I need to be saved?
3. How do I get saved?

In reality, when we talk about salvation counseling we are talking about the process of guiding a person through the asking and answering of these three questions. When you as the counselor are brought into the situation the person may have already answered one or more of these questions, probably the first two, and simply needs assistance in understaning what they must do with that knowledge. However, you should be prepared to respond to all three of these questions any time you are placed in a counseling situation.

---

Doctrinal Foundations

1. The nature of sin and the need of the individual (Rom 1:8)

The gospel message is not complete without a clear statement of the fact and nature of sin and the need of the individual for salvation through Christ.

2. The person and work of Jesus Christ (John 3:16; 1 John 5:12)

Some understanding of both who He is and what He did in His death and resurrection are necessary in the gospel presentation.

3. God's requirements for salvation.

Grace os God's part and faith is our part. No system of works on our part can get us saved.

4. The results of salvation.

Forgiveness and cleansing, a right standing with God, placement in the family of God, and assurance of heaven should be included in the message.

Doctrine cannot and must not change, however, method not only may change, but in may instances must change.

---

Basic Counseling Guidelines

1. The counselor should be dependent on the Holy Spirit for guidance.
2. The counselor should have clear in his mind what must be presented.
3. The counselor should be familiar with scripture that can be used to present the truth about salvation.
4. The counselor should not be afraid to repeat points until they are understood.
5. The counselor should be careful to explain any terms that might not be familiar.
6. The counselor should be prepared to answer questions as they arise.

---

Counseling Suggstions

Preparation For Counseling:

1. Pray - You have to talk to God about man before you can talk to man about God.
2. Memorize scripture passages regarding salvation
3. Cross reference and mark salvation scripture passages in your Bible - Use a colored hiliter
4. Use a special bookmark in your Bible to mark the first passage in your favorite method of presenting the gospel.

Initiating Counseling

1. The person may approach you with questions about salvation.

At this point they are obviously searching and curious. You should take this opportunity to encourage them to settle the issue in their life right then.

2. You may be called to the altar to counsel someone.

Approach respectfully and ask if they have come for salvation. If so, begin the counseling process by asking and answering questions and presenting the Gospel. Never go to the altar to counsel a person without your Bible - that is like a soldier going onto the battlefield without a gun. If they indicate they are already saved ask if there is any other issue you can help them with and proceed from there.

3. You may be called to go with someone to witness to an individual or family outside of an established religous service.

In a situation where you are going to a person's home it is best to go as a team. If possible, take your spouse with you. You should always try to avoid being placed in a situation where you are counseling alone with a member of the opposite sex or a young person.

Do not make any assumptions about the knowledge or condition of the person being counseled!

While Counseling:

1. You must engage the young person as an active participant in the conversation.

• Have them read the scripture for themselves if possible.
  
• have them paraphrase the scripture in their own words in order to gauge their level of understanding.
  
• At each point ask them if they understand what you are telling them.
  

2. You should ask the young person to pray for themselves, preferably out loud.

• This allows you to gauge their understanding of what they are asking Christ to do.
  
• It gives them a concrete moment to look back on as the moment they prayed for their salvation.
  
• It allows you to ask more appropriate questions during the followup stage of the counseling
  

3. You should follow-up with the young person after they pray to ensure understanding.

• Ask them to state in their own words what they just did.
  
• Ask them to state in their own words what Christ just did for them.
  
• Make sure they understand the basis for their belief is the Bible, not you
  

While counseling take your time and do not get impatient!

After Counseling:

1. You should make sure the young person has a Bible of their own
2. You should do everything in your power to disciple them and encourage them to become active in church.
3. Make yourself available to them as they grow in order to answer questions and encourage growth.

---

The Counseling Environment

A very important factor to consider when talking to someone about their spiritual condition is the environment in which the discussion is taking place. A room that is too hot or too distracting will make your job as the counselor more difficult. Conversely, working in an ideal environment will make it easier for you to present the information and work with the person you are counseling.

How to improve the environment

1. Eliminate as many sources of distraction as possible.

• Excessive noise.
  
• Crowds of people
  
• Uncomfortable temperature
  

2. Get alone with the person to be counseled.

Please note, if it is not appropriate to work with a person alone, get someone you have confidence in to be in the room with you.

Counseling At The Altar

1. If you are in a crowded altar situation you must work especially hard to keep external distractions from becoming a problem.
2. The invitation muic may work for or against you. The person may be distracted by it, or feel more comfortable since they believe no one else can hear them over the music.

The last statement above brings up a very important issue in counseling with people. As a counselor you are being trusted by the person you are working with. It is possible they may open up to you and tell you things about themselves or their past, or ask questions about whether issues are right or wrong. under no circumstance should you ever discuss what is mentioned to you in a counseling situation with anyone else.

---

Do's and Don'ts of Counseling:

• Don't get locked into a prefabricated approach.
  
• Don't merely ask leading questions that require no thought to answer.
  
• Don't confuse or distract with too many illustrations.BR>
• Don't expect "standard" terminology.
  
• Don't overemphasize fear.
  
• Don't fail to give the opportunity to settle the issue of salvation now.
  
• Don't attempt to force or coerce a response.
  
• Don't fabricate a prayer for them to repeat.
  
• Don't tell the person they are save - let the Word of God do that.

• Do be available and accessible - come early and stay late.
  
• Do correct incorrect or inadequate underatanding.
  
• Do stress the importance and urgency of salvation.
  
• Do stick to the basic issues
  
• Do use the Bible.
  
• Do encourage the person to pray for themselves - no "repeat after me" prayers.
  
• Do inquire as to what the person did and said in receiving Christ as Savior.
  
• Do follow-up with them after their salvation to help establish them as a Christian.

---

If you would like to see a pamphlet I have written for working with young people in a salvation counseling environment than got to The Most Important Decision.

Copyright 1997 - Chuck Sprayberry - All Rights Reserved.

Return to TOP
Professional Web Site Design by SunStar Media.