Overview:
“Blessed be the ... God of all counsel; who counsels us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction...” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Parakaleo Christian Ministries is a Stanford student group dedicated to providing a 1-year class in Biblical Counseling. Parakaleo has been serving undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, university and ministry staff for over 40 years.
The course provides:- An in-depth study of the Word
- A chance to explore what the Bible says about the practical issues of everyday life
- A place to be equipped to find practical answers in the Bible both for yourself and to be able to provide wise, loving help to others around you
- A time of rest and renewal in your week
About the Instructors:
“Both Steve and Erica have special gifts to help bring these profound insights in the Bible to light. Steve is one of the most careful expositors of the Scriptures that I know, and Erica has her own sweet way of sharing how these Scriptures apply to our down-to-earth lives. The examples given are often taken from their own experiences and struggles, and they are very specific and practical. What I especially enjoyed was how both shared funny situations (at least in hindsight!) that all of us deal with, but somehow are seldom communicated with clarity in a large group setting.” - Jeff Wu, Stanford '11
Why "Parakaleo"?
"Parakaleo" means "to call alongside". A Greek word in the original Biblical manuscripts, it can be translated as "counsel", and also as "comfort, console, encourage, urge, appeal, exhort" — all of which describe aspects of the counseling process.
"Parakaleo" appears in the Bible on a list of distinct "gifts of the Spirit". Counseling, as all ministry, is done to a certain extent by all believers, but some are specially equipped to use this gift as their primary ministry in the body of Christ. Our ministry focuses on these people, training them to serve in Christian counseling, applying scripture actively and practically to the lives of believers. These principles are equally valuable in ministering to unbelievers in evangelic counseling.
"Parakaleo" is also the term Jesus chose to designate the Holy Spirit in His coming to live in and minister through every Christian -- under the Lordship of Christ, using His words. Hence, the Parakaleo ministry is also concerned with equipping Christians in general to apply God's Word accurately in their lives and in ministering to others.