This product will be available on September 11th, 2026
Description
Confidence, Clarity, and Biblical Direction for Life’s Hardest Conversations
Directive Biblical Counseling equips everyday Christians to counsel themselves—and others—with confidence, structure, and biblical faithfulness. Rather than offering vague encouragement or overwhelming theory, Jonathan Moorhead presents a clear, six-session framework grounded in timeless theological priorities. This book removes the intimidation factor from counseling by showing you what to address, when to address it, and why it matters—no advanced degree required.
Designed for pastors, lay leaders, parents, and believers who want to help hurting people wisely, this practical guide demonstrates how the same core biblical truths apply to a wide range of struggles, from marriage conflict and addiction to fear, anger, and prolonged sadness. Each session focuses on one central theme, reinforced through Scripture, real-life case studies, sample counseling dialogues, and actionable homework.
You won’t just learn how to solve a single problem—you’ll gain a transferable Christian worldview that promotes lasting change and spiritual maturity. Rooted in the sufficiency of Scripture and the power of the gospel, Directive Biblical Counseling will show you how the Bible is applicable in any situation.
Inside this book, you’ll discover:
A simple six-step counseling structure anyone can follow
Core theological themes that drive real heart change
Practical tools, forms, and homework for immediate use
Case studies covering common, complex counseling issues
A model that strengthens both discipleship and the local church
Endorsements
This work is sure to be one of the best resources for all those who need counseling and burden-bearers who desire to come alongside those in their hour of greatest need.
Jerry Wragg Senior Pastor, Grace Immanuel Bible Church; President, The Expositors Seminary, Jupiter, Florida
When I was a student in seminary I sat in with a wise pastor giving counsel to someone in need. I thought, “He is just sharing truth from the Bible and applying it to this man’s situation. I can do that!” This book has the same effect. As you walk through the practical demonstrations of applying these common biblical categories, you will be equipped and inspired to say, “Hey! I can do that, too.”
John Crotts Pastor, Faith Bible Church, Sharpsburg, Georgia; author, 'Hope: Living Confidently in God'
The author invites readers to think deeply through six foundational theological topics that apply to virtually every life situation. Engagingly written, saturated with Scripture, and informed by a rich knowledge of Christian literature, this is an essential guide for anyone seeking a straightforward, faithful approach to counseling.
Igor Gerdov Pastor, Good News Baptist Church; Samara Center for Biblical Training, Samara, Russia
What sets this book apart is its accessibility without sacrificing theological depth. Pastors, elders, counselors-in-training, and thoughtful lay believers will find it instructive, usable, and immediately applicable.
John D. Street
This approach is both simple and profoundly effective. In my own ministry, I have seen it bring genuine help to individuals within the church, and it has significantly shaped the way I counsel.
Jason Winslade Pastor, Redemption Church, Christchurch, New Zealand; National Leadership, New Zealand Biblical Counselling Association
Moorhead provides six, key principles that every counselor needs to know in this book that is uniquely theological and practical. Good theology leads to good counseling, and Directive Biblical Counseling helps us with both.
Greg E. Gifford Associate Professor, The Master’s University, Santa Clarita, California
... a very helpful biblical, theological, and practical resource for counseling believers well.
Anne Dryburgh Author and counselor
... a theologically rich, pastorally wise, and highly practical guide that demystifies counseling for ordinary Christians and church leaders. Rooted in Scripture, it offers a clear, repeatable method that keeps God’s glory and the gospel at the center of biblical change.
Andrew Rogers Professor and Program Coordinator of Biblical Counseling, Boyce College, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky
... Moorhead provides his readers a clear, directive framework that helps counselors embark on the task of biblical counseling with confidence.
Keith Evans Associate Professor of Christian Counselling, Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, North Carolina
If you are therefore looking for a seasoned and competent biblical approach to counseling fellow Christians, you can now look to this volume as one of your best resources.
Lance Quinn Executive Vice-President, The Expositors Seminary
I commend [this book] to you knowing that it has been put to use in a local church context and has been proven exceedingly fruitful. I was greatly helped by reading it and I’m confident you will be, too.
Sean DeMars Pastor, Glory Community Church, Decatur, Alabama; host, Room for Nuance podcast
... a clarion call to recover the conviction that soul care belongs to the local church, done by ordinary Christians armed with Scripture, prayer, and Spirit-wrought compassion.
Paul Tautges Senior Pastor, Cornerstone Community Church, Cleveland, Ohio and Author of ‘Comfort the Grieving’
Directive Biblical Counseling provides a highly structured model of care tailored to the role of a pastor. Jonathan Moorhead tailors his book toward a short-term, six or seven sessions, goal-focused counseling relationship and provides practical guidance for how to maximize the instructional value of each meeting.
Brad Hambrick Pastor of Counseling, The Summit Church, Durham, North Carolina
Biblical counseling is intensive discipleship. Jonathan Moorhead provides an appropriate foundation to help beginners build an appropriate framework for biblical soul care. Seasoned counselors would do well to revisit these principles and learn from the practical wisdom he demonstrates in the case studies. Jonathan captures simple but profound foundations of biblical counseling anchored in the text of Scripture that guides and guards our practice.
T. Dale Johnson, Jr. Executive Director, ACBC & Associate Professor of Biblical Counseling, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri
Walking through six major themes that occur in numerous counseling cases, Moorhead systematically provides the practical tools that help one shepherd the saints into the truth that transforms lives. I commend this resource to all who desire to counsel biblically.
Abner Chou President, The Master’s University and Seminary, Sun Valley, California
... a must read and practice for every soul care ministry.
Dave Deuel Senior Research Fellow - Special Projects, The Biblical Counseling Coalition
This book is exceptionally well written .... A very helpful resource for anyone involved in counseling or pastoral care.
Jonathan Moorhead(PhD; ThM; MDiv) has served with The Master’s Academy International in Russia, the Czech Republic, France, and Switzerland as an instructor. He is a pastor at Geneva Bible Church, is a fellow with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC), and is the author of 'The Trial of the 16th Century: Calvin & Servetus'. Jonathan and his wife Sharon have five children: Nahum, Isaac, Jesse, Jonas, and Miriam.
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