Sei sulla pagina 1di 7

MARANATHA BAPTIST GRADUATE SCHOOL

GBC 537 MARRIAGE & FAMILY COUNSELING


Spring 2008
rd
Heritage Room
M, W, F 3 Hour
Course Syllabus
I. INSTRUCTOR: Dennis D. Komis
Office Hours: M, W, F 4th Hour
T, Th 6th Hour
nd
Room 502, Century House (2 Floor)
E-mail:Dkomis@mbbc.edu
Office Ph.: 206-2387
Home: 206-6140
Other times may be available; please call or e-mail to set up an appointment.

II. COURSE DESCRIPTION


This course provides a biblical perspective of marriage and family counseling. After a
thorough overview of biblical principles regarding family matters, the course will seek to make
specific applications of these principles to real life issues that families face in todays world.

III. COURSE TEXTBOOKS


Required:
Wayne A. Mack, Your Family, Gods Way: Developing and Sustaining
Relationships in the Home, Presbyterian & Reformed, 1991.
Jay E. Adams, Solving Marriage Problems, Presbyterian & Reformed, 1983;
Zondervan, 1986.
Recommended:
Wayne Grudem, editor, Biblical Foundations for Manhood and Womanhood,
Crossway Books, 2002.
Several chapters of this work will be read and discussed in class. The assigned sections will
be accessible through the course page on LMS. This volume would also be a helpful resource
for the student in the writing of the course research paper.
Wayne A. Mack, A Homework Manual for Biblical Living, vol. 2 (Family and
Marital Problems), Presbyterian & Reformed, 1980.
Because the class will use assignments in this volume, and because it will be used regularly
in ones biblical counseling ministry, the student is encouraged to purchase their own copy.
1.

2
IV. COURSE GOALS
1. To stimulate growth and spiritual change in each students personal relationship with
the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. To enhance spiritual growth in the students own family life, preparing and equipping
an unmarried student for a God-honoring marriage and family, if it is Gods will for
them to marry, or enriching and improving a married students marriage and family life.
3. To help the student better understand the basic concepts and distinctive features of
biblical marriage and family counseling.
4. To help each student better identify and define the problems that are encountered in
marriage and family counseling and to become familiar with key passages of Scripture
to use for each issue.
5. To increase the students confidence in the sufficiency and superiority of the Scripture
for handling all the problems of marriage and family life.
6. To encourage and equip students to do biblical marriage and family counseling in the
church of Jesus Christ.

V. READING ASSIGNMENTS
The student will read a total of 900 pages for this course. The following texts will be
read according to the class schedule: Your Family, Gods Way (Mack); Solving Marriage
Problems (Adams); and selections from Biblical Foundations for Manhood and Womanhood
(Grudem). In each chapter of Adams and Mack the student should underline the three most
helpful/significant statements (s)he reads.
An additional 450 pages of reading is required. Male students are encouraged to first
read Stuart Scotts The Exemplary Husband and/or Lou Priolos The Complete Husband while
Biblical Womanhood by Nancy Leigh DeMoss is recommended for female students. If the
student has already read these books, other works pertaining to marriage and family issues from
a biblical counseling perspective are available, with the approval of the professor. A 3 page,
double-spaced report of this supplemental reading is due at the end of the semester. Biblically
evaluate the material, discussing its strengths and weaknesses and relating how the Lord used
those principles in your personal life.

VI. PROJECTS
1. Research Paper
The student is to write a 10 page paper (not counting the title page and bibliography) on an
issue/problem relating to marriage and family counseling. The paper should identify and define
the issue scripturally, explaining key biblical passages that discuss or apply to the topic. Some
questions that should be answered would include: What is the clear teaching of Scripture? If this
is a problem, what are the causes and contributing factors? What consequences result from such

3
behavior/experiences? What is Gods ideal and how do people deviate from it? What are others
saying/teaching about this in the secular and Christian realms? What is the biblical solution(s)?
Having thoroughly and carefully examined the Scriptures relating to the topic, the student
should conclude the paper with a practical application to real life situations. Build your practical
application on a solid theological foundation that is laid through careful, accurate exegesis. In the
light of what the Bible teaches, show what a biblical counselor should say/do in helping people
with such a problem. A counselor should be able to have a counselee read this paper as a biblical
explanation of an area being covered in a counseling session.
The paper should include a bibliography of at least 10 sources, with at least 3 coming from
journal articles or essays (books that include a number of articles by different authors). Use
competent journals and scholarly books. Be careful about using internet sources- many of them
are not of solid academic quality. Do not use secondary quotations; rather, directly quote from
primary sources. In interpreting the Scriptures use reference works that deal with the original
languages (for example, Hebrew and/or Greek lexicons) or, if the student is not acquainted with
the biblical languages, exegetical commentaries. A source must appear in a citation within a
footnote or it is not counted as a source. Your paper should include footnotes (not endnotes)
according to the Turabian style, bibliography, and title page. The Bible Dept. offers templates
and Turabian instructions on its C-Net page. Headings should be used for all main points,
making your paper more reader-friendly. Use 12 point, Times New Roman font.
This must be a completely original paper. Do not turn in a reworked/revised paper from
another course. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Plagiarism is treating anothers language or
thought as ones own original work.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Suggested topics:
A married couples relationship to In-Laws.
9. Sex and Marriage.
Rebellious and/or Runaway children.
10. Child care outside the home.
The role and responsibilities of Grandparents.
11. Divorce and Remarriage.
Blended Families (step-parents, step-children, exs). 12. Spousal or child abuse.
Discipline of Children (including corporal punishment). 13. Sibling Rivalry.
Childless Marriages (including adoption, etc.).
14. Birth Control.
Family Finances (including bankruptcy).
15. Male Headship.
Singleness: Curse or Blessing?
16. A Wifes Submission.
The student may write on another topic, with approval of the instructor.

2. Case Study/Counseling Plan


The purpose of this assignment is to apply the principles learned in this course to a real life
situation. I will be looking for biblical discernment manifested in ones analysis of the issues
involved; in identifying Scriptural causes, consequences, and cures; in correct and compassionate
interpretation and application of the Word of God. Someone reading this paper should come
away with an understanding of how to approach and handle a similar situation when confronting
such in their biblical counseling ministry.

4
Choose one of the following counseling cases (with the approval of the instructor) from
Jay Adams The Christian Counselors Casebook (part 1): # 2, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 18, 25, 32, 34,
35, 39, 46, 53, 59, 60. After analyzing and evaluating the case write out a strategic plan for
ministering to the individual(s) on an ongoing counseling basis. Your goal is not merely solving
the immediate problem but to see real, long-term spiritual change in lives and relationships. You
may want to use your imagination to add other details to the case scenario to provide necessary
information in constructing a complete plan of action. Include in your ministry plan: questions
to ask to gather more data, areas and issues to probe and/or address (prioritize your counseling
agenda), ways to gain involvement and give hope to the counselee, Biblical texts and principles
to use in instructing, and homework assignments to give. Type out your plan, double-spaced, in
8 10 pages. A title page, bibliography, and footnotes are not necessary.

VII. MEMORY VERSES


Each week the student will memorize an assigned verse of Scripture that pertains to
marriage and family. These key verses should be known by all biblical counselors for their
own personal life as well as for the purpose of ministering the Word to others. The verses
will be written out in class and on the final exam.

VIII. GRADING
A. Semester Grade:
Required Reading & Reading Report
Class Assignments & Participation
Research Paper
Case Study/Counseling Plan
Final Exam

15%
10%
25%
25%
25%

B. Grading Scale:
A
AB+
B
B-

94 100
92 93
90 91
85 89
83 84

C+
C
CD
F

81 82
75 80
73 74
64 72
Below 64

5
Tentative Class Schedule
DATE
Jan. 9
Jan. 11
Jan. 14 18
Jan. 21
Jan. 23
Jan. 25
Jan. 28
Jan. 30
Feb. 1
Feb. 4 - 8
Feb. 11
Feb. 13
Feb. 15
Feb. 18
Feb. 20
Feb. 22
Feb. 25 29
March 3
March 5
March 7
March 10-14
March 17
March 19
March 21
March 24
March 26
March 28
March 31 April 4
April 7 11
April 14
April 16
April 18
April 21
April 23

TOPIC
Syllabus
Introduction
NO CLASS Graduate Module:
Cross-Cultural Church Planting
Counseling Goals
Gender Distinction
Counseling Methods
Counseling Methods, continued
Nature and Function of Family
Equality and Headship
NO CLASS Graduate Module:
Hermeneutics and Homiletics
The Definition of Marriage
The Essentials of Marriage
The Essentials of Marriage, continued
The Roles in Marriage
Biblical Communication
Singleness and Pre-marital Counseling
NO CLASS Graduate Module:
Systematic Theology III
Biblical Communication, continued
The Picture of Marriage
Conflict Resolution
NO CLASS
Spring Recess
Parenting
Submission and Leadership
Parenting, continued
Grand-Parenting
In-Laws
Blended Families
NO CLASS
Grad. Module: Counseling
Addictive Behaviors
NO CLASS
Grad. Module: Missions
Divorce and its Ramifications
Abuse within the Home
Siblings
Family Planning
Review

ASSIGNMENT DUE
Adams, 1-35; Assignment p. 35

Genesis 2:18
Grudem, pp. 31 59
Mark 10:6, 7
Grudem, pp. 95 - 112

Mark 10:8, 9
Adams, Assignment, p. 115
Mark 10:11
Homework Manual
Assignment, p. 10 only
Grudem, xvii - xxviii

Mark 10:12
Grudem, pp. 165 - 178

Psalm 127:1, 3
Grudem, pp. 194 - 208
Psalm 127:4, 5
CASE STUDY DUE

I Corinthians 7:39
RESEARCH PAPER DUE
Psalm 101:2

Friday, April 25 1:30 4:00 p.m. FINAL EXAM


(Reading report must be turned in by 5 p.m.)

Research Paper Checklist


Using the checklist below, double check your research paper for the following elements:
Introduction/Conclusion
Introduction funnels to topic and captures interest
Introduction includes thesis
Conclusion summarizes main points
Conclusion repeats thesis
Sources
Minimum of sources met
Minimum of journals met
Eliminated devotional commentaries
Eliminated weak sources

Used adequate resources for research


Used primary not secondary sources
Used modern sources as much as
possible

Thesis
Thesis is well-stated
Thesis is active, not passive
Thesis is concise but adequately represents the point of the paper
Thesis answers a researchable question:
Example: What does Romans 7 teach about spiritual growth?
Thesis proves a point, not just states a purpose
Example: Romans 7 demonstrates that a believer produces spiritual fruit in union with
Christ rather than under the regulation of the law.
Content
Interpretation of Scripture is accurate
Explanation of the Scripture includes details of the text
Facts/sources are evenly used
Arguments flow smoothly and logically
Bibliography & Footnotes (Turabian format)
Bibliography uses hanging format
Bibliography is single-spaced with one space between each entry
Bibliography uses correct formatting for bibliography
Footnotes are indented (1st line)
Footnotes use correct formatting for footnotes
Footnotes are single-spaced with one space between each entry
Grammar & Style
Eliminate 1st and 2nd person personal pronouns
Eliminate passive verbs
Eliminate informal language (ex. contractions)
Proof read for proper punctuation

Paper Evaluation

Length:
5 (v. good)

Acceptable
4(good)
3 (fair)

Long
2(poor)

Short
1(none)

MECHANICS (15%)1
No grammar/
spelling errors

1-2

3-4

5-6

7-8

Proper Footnote/Bib.

No errors

1 or 2
errors

3 or 4
errors

5 or 6
errors

7 or 8
errors

Proper Paper Format

No format
errors

1 error

2 errors

3 errors

4 errors

Very weak in
both of the
areas

No style
problems

1 minor style
problem

Somewhat
weak in both
of the areas
Rel. to paper/
not assertive or
controversial
Identifiable,
but not
parallel/logical
Somewhat
weak in both
of the areas
2-3 minor style
problems or 1
major

Very weak in
one of the
areas
Not related to
topic or some
main points

Restates thesis
(&MP)/makes
content rel.

Somewhat
weak in 1 of
the 2 areas
Related to
paper but some
weak wording
Identifiable,
but somewhat
weakly stated
Somewhat
weak in 1 of
the 2 areas

Correct interp.
Of scripture at
a level approp.
for course #
Uses sources
evenly & does
not over or
under use them

Interp. at level
below course #
or 1-2 minor
problems.
Uses evenly,
but too muchstrings too
many quotes

Interp. well
below course
level or major
interp. prob.
Uses evenly
but too littleinadequate
research

Uneven use of
sources-relies
heavily on 1 or
2 sources

Good flow of
thought and
easy to follow

Generally
good, but 1 or
2 breaks

Difficult to
follow flow of
thought

Very difficult
to follow flow
of thought

Very poor

Meets
minimum # &
has quality
sources

Meets
minimum #,
but 1 or 2
weak sources

1 short, or 3
weak sources

2 short, or
numerous
weak sources

3 or more
short

Spelling/Grammar

ORGANIZATION (25%)
Introduction
Thesis Statement
Main Points
Conclusion (if you
restate MP, do in r.o.)

Writing Style (see


below)

Interesting &
funnel intro.
To the topic
Well stated
thesis related
to the paper
Identifiable,
well-stated

Not clearly
identifiable
Very weak in
one of the
areas
Several major
style problems

No stated
thesis
None
Very weak in
both of the
areas
Poor, very
difficult to
read

CONTENT (50%)
Correct Use of
Scripture (3x)
Use of Facts/Sources
(4x)
Argumentation/
thought progression
(3x)

Several
interpretive
problems

Numerous
problems or
antibiblical
content
Paper is
unacceptable no research or
plagiarism

RESEARCH (10%)
Number/Quality of
Sources (2x)

Total Points
Late Penalty
Length Penalty
Final Grade
1

PROOFREADING MARK KEY


A1/A2
Agr
Awk
Col
CS
Pass
RO
SP
T/S

1st or 2nd person


Pronoun-antecedent or singular/plural agreement error.
Awkward word or phrase.
Colloquial term/phrase inappropriate for a research paper.
Comma splice (2 independent clauses joined by a comma)
Passive construction used instead of active
Run-on sentence
Misspelled word
Tense shift in verbs

A consistent spelling error is treated as one error; a consistent grammar error is treated as a style problem

Potrebbero piacerti anche