PHYSICAL ILLNESS, DISCIPLESHIP, AND BIBLICAL …

P H Y S I C A L I L L N E S S , D I S C I P L E S H I P, A N DB I B L I C A L C O U N S E L I N G

Class 2.2 –Friday, October 18th

Pastor Kent Kloter

C L A S S G O A L S

•Develop a biblical theology of the physical body•Develop a biblical theology of illnesses•Wisdom principles for burden-bearing

T H E B O D Y :I N T E G R A L T O L I F E

Theology of the BodyTheology of IllnessesWisdom in Burden-bearing

•DNA is God’s sovereign design

• Very good – dignity, not evil; Jesus dwelt in a human body•Necessary to embody the soul; meditate the heart•Necessary for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit• Therefore, you must nurture and care for your body

T H E B O D Y :I N T E G R A L T O I D E N T I T Y• The image of God as a living soul.• Genesis 1:27-28; 2:7

•Accountable for how we use our temporary “tent”.• 2 Corinthians 5:1-9

•Genesis 3:2—the body is the defective, yet is home to the Holy Spirit• 1Corinthains 6:19; 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

• To be traded for a glorious, eternal body • Revelation 21:4; 22:3


D E F I N I N G P H Y S I C A L I L L N E S S

• Physical illness – any physical, observable, measurable abnormality • Illness is a universal consequence of “The Fall”; expect &

prepare for it


D E F I N I N G M E N T A LI L L N E S S• “Mental” refers to the intersection of man’s physical and

non-physical elements, i.e. (the heart and the brain)• “Mental Illness” lacks scientific and professional

consensus1

• “Psychiatry has to put off science-based definitions of mental disorders to a future time when it knows more.”2

• The DSM-5 “is seriously flawed because it was not based on any objective laboratory measures.”2


D E F I N I N G M E N T A L I L L N E S S

• Every human mind and heart suffers on a spectrum of “mental illness”.• “… the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and

madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead” (Ecclesiastes 9:3)

• “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick...” (Jeremiah 17:9)


D I S C E R N I N G B E T W E E N P H Y S I C A L A N D / O R M E N T A L

•Can the mind/ heart effect your body?•Can your body effect your mind/heart?•How do you discern cause and effect?• The line between the material and immaterial is

indistinguishable.• Influential does not mean determinative


W I S D O M P R I N C I P L E S•Character – minister with integrity•Charity/Love – lovingly listen•Compassion – weep with those who weep•Humility – don’t speak into the unknown •Meekness – embrace and point to Christ’s sovereignty•Hope – live in hope so you can minister hope


W I S D O M P R I N C I P L E S• You can help, even if you’re not a doctor, BUT don’t give

medical advice.• Focus on known, verifiable facts •What is the diagnosis? How was it diagnosed?•Gather history of the disease • Treatment side-effects, other complications•Minister to the family and physical needs


W I S D O M P R I N C I P L E S

•Weakness Strength• Foolishness Wisdom•No contingencies Themes/Patterns• Sinfulness Righteousness

Spectrums in Discernment


W I S D O M P R I N C I P L E S•How has the diagnosis/disease affected thinking, lifestyle•How are others responding?•Nurture a biblical Perspective (Philippians 4)

• Teach biblical Purposes re: suffering (Philippians 4)

•Anchor on Personhood (God’s and theirs: Philippians 4)

•Gently direct them to obey God in the trial - Practice


H E A R T R E S P O N S E S T O P H Y S I C A L I L L N E S S• Learn to lament and cry out (Psalm 42-48)

•Discipline your body (1 Corinthians 9:27)

• Present your body (Romans12:1-2)

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

(2 Corinthians 4:16)


B O D I L Y R E S P O N S E S T O P H Y S I C A L I L L N E S S•Glorify God in your body (1 Corinthians 6:20)

•Discipline your body (1 Corinthians 9:27)

• Present your body, serve others. (Romans12:1-2; Matthew 22:34-40)

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

(2 Corinthians 4:16)


R E C O M M E N D E D R E S O U R C E S

• Biblical Counseling and a Theology of Humanity (ch. 7), (Heath Lambert)• Blame in on the Brain, Ed Welch• Trusting God, Jerry Bridges• A Place of Healing, Joni EarecksonTada• It’s Not Fair, Wayne Mack

PHYSICAL ILLNESS, DISCIPLESHIP, AND BIBLICAL …

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