What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “biblical counseling”?

No doubt, many think of a movement that takes sin seriously. A growing number may call to mind a movement that is increasingly taking suffering seriously as well.

But ask the question to one of the movement’s key leaders, Ed Welch. You may be pleasantly surprised how illuminating and practical his simple and straightforward answer is.

Biblical counseling, in its best conception, gets at how the entirety of the church — not just trained professionals — can be mobilized to love others well. It’s about ordinary people being used by God to help the lives of others. At one level, it’s even as simple as learning enough about somebody to be able to pray for them. It’s average-joe Christian beginning with the basic questions How are you doing? and How can we pray for you?

In this new episode of Theology Refresh, we asked Welch to get at the very heart of what biblical counseling is in 10 minutes. He did it. Whether you’re a veteran “biblical counselor,” or haven’t even heard of this term until now, you’ll be helped by the simple yet substantive way Welch approaches the topic.