This 32-hour course over four weekends walks through fundamental elements of biblical counseling starting with theological foundations, moving on to essential skills, and then working through common struggles people face in life. We will look at marriage and family issues as well as personal struggles such as anger, depression, and anxiety, and more.

God’s sufficient word is the textbook from which we derive a Christ-centered, gospel-rich, biblically-accurate methodology of giving wise counsel.

Why Should You Take This Course?

Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:11)

Everyone is a counselor. We engage in counseling every time we answer a question about life, offer words of comfort or encouragement or suggestion, or help someone think through a decision. Whether we call it giving advice, counseling, discipleship, or something else, the crucial question is, Is your counseling consistent with Scripture, biblically wise, and practically effective? This class will help lay the foundation of how to understand and address common problems from a biblical perspective.

Everyone needs counsel as they live out the Christian life in a fallen world. We all go through seasons—short and long—when we need wisdom spoken into our lives. This class taught in such a way as to benefit every Christian who wants to know how to better go through the challenges of life themselves.

God calls some to serve in a ministry of counseling.  The Holy Spirit grants to each believer unique gifts for the benefit of the body (1 Corinthians 12:7). Some have received gifts and passions that enable them to minister effectively as counselors in the local church. This course is a significant step in equipping those who have the desire to make biblical counseling a focal point of their ministry, and pursue additional training such as certified through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).

Our Goal

And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish [counsel] one another. (Romans 15:14)

Hope Biblical Counseling Center is committed to strengthening local churches by equipping all believers, but especially pastors and leaders in using the Scripture to effectively minister to their church body as well as their community. Our church has experienced the blessing and benefit of a biblical counseling ministry, and found it to be an effective way to shine the light of Christ in our community. The needs in our community are far beyond what we could hope to meet, so we desire to equip other local churches to engage in this vital ministry to our lost and dying world.

Dates and Times (Jan - April, 2026)

January 30-31, February 27-28, March 27-28, April 24-25

Each Friday night will run from 6:30 PM – 9 PM
Each Saturday will run from 9 AM – 5 PM

REGISTRATION OPENS FALL 2025

Venue

We are offering in-person instruction at our church as well as at satellite locations. There is also the option to participate online via live stream. During registration, you can indicate whether you plan to attend in person or online. As much as possible we recommend attending in person as the learning experience is enhanced. Online students will not be able to interact with the instructor(s) during the live instruction, but there will be a way to submit questions for a Q&A at the end of each weekend.

Hope Bible Church
9112 Guilford Rd
Columbia, MD 21046

Satellite Locations
Contact us if you’d like to host this class.

Cost

Individual registration: $100

Couples registration: $150

Pastors/missionaries and their wives: $50 each ($100/couple)

Refunds: Up to the start of class, with the binder returned, we will give a full refund less $10 ($20 for couples) to cover shipping charges (a return label will be supplied). If the binder is not returned, we will refund the registration cost less $35 ($70 for couples). We will not offer refunds after the first weekend as we cannot prevent an individual from accessing the recorded material.

Materials

You will receive a notebook with over 200 pages of fill-in-the-blank notes. You will also receive a 30-page list of recommended resources covering many biblical counseling topics. (If you participate online we will mail your notebook to you.) Access to class recordings will be available for four weeks after the conclusion of the class for those who are unable to attend all the sessions. But we encourage you to attend as many of the sessions live as possible.

What does the class require of me?

We encourage your active participation in the class, but there is no reading or homework required.