Memory Verse
“But who so hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safety, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:33.
BIBLE PASSAGE: Proverbs 1:1-10

INTRODUCTION
Counselling is the process of giving pieces of advice or useful suggestions to other individuals by a qualified person in order to help them solve their problems either in the present or for their future. Everyone needs such pieces of advice or counsels at a particular point in time so as to guide against taking steps of error. The Scripture says that “…..in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14b)  therefore as marriage is a sacred institution that requires divine guidance before being entered into, such counsels should be given a prime of place.

OUTLINES
1. CHARACTERISTICS OF PASTORAL COUNSEL
2. ROLES OF PASTORAL COUNSEL IN MARRIAGE

CHARACTERISTICS OF PASTORAL COUNSEL
i. Pastoral counsel as divine instruction is usually aided or enhanced by the manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the life of the genuine Counselor as in (a) Word of Wisdom, (b) Word of Knowledge,
 (c) Discerning of Spirit – 1 Corinthians 12:7-8.

ii. Pastoral counsel, which is usually from seasoned men of God, is like reality therapy Proverbs 15:22.

iii. Pastoral counsel is not motivated or influenced by personal interest or propaganda sentiments as in the case of the withdrawal of Micah from David as wife by King Saul -1 Samuel 25:44.

iv. It is such an advice given after having prayerfully requested from and listened to God by a seasoned minister of the gospel for inspirational guidance Psalm 5:3; Deut. 29:29; Daniel 9:3-4; 2 Cor. 1:11.

v. Pastoral counsel seeks to foster the happiness of both the person being counseled and the counselor Prov. 15:23; Prov. 27:9.

ROLES OF PASTORAL COUNSEL IN MARRIAGE
i. Just as devastating and destructive problem is to one's life, so greatly relieving and comforting is the timely divine or pastoral counsel - Ruth 3:1-3.
ii. It acts as veritable tools that cannot be brushed aside in the process of choice or decision making - JoeI3:14.
iii. It gives no room or chance for gamblers in the church where the counseling unit .for intending Christian couple is being handled or well coordinated by genuine ministers of God. i.e. it prevents young men or women from dating more than one suitor at a time Provo 13:20; PS. 73:24.
iv. It brings about decent take-off of courtship between two children of God as the Pastor becomes the mediator between the intending young couple Psalm 11 :3; Isaiah 58:12.
v. It shows the young contemporary adults that marriage is not bondage or an unavoidable entanglement Jer. 23:22; Acts 20:27-28.

CONCLUSION
Pastoral counsel is usually borne out of divine inspiration and is meant to show the possible ways out of certain problems. It also guides on what to do so as not to fall into the same problems over and over again - Proverbs 11:14.

QUESTIONS
1. Mention characteristics of pastoral counsel in marriage.
2. What are the roles of pastoral counsel in marriage?

BLESSED WEEK WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
MONDAY: Proverbs 24:6 -God will be our wise Counsellor.
TUESDAY: Prov.15:22 - In the multitude of counsellors, purposes are established.
WEDNESDAY: Psalm 11:3 - May our foundations never be destroyed.
THURSDAY: Amos 9:11 - God will restore your former glory.
FRIDAY: Jeremiah 23:22 - Good counsel turns us from evil ways.
SATURDAY: Proverbs 20:18 -The presence of many counsellors brings peace.
SUNDAY: Proverbs 11:14 - In the multitude of counsellors, there is safety.