This study examines the counseling modeling of Jesus as recorded in the four Gospels. The contextual background for this study lies in the fact that the modern man's hunger for healing seems to be a worldwide phenomenon and countless published books dealing with their pains and remedies reflect this trend. As a legitimate response to this problem, the research for the aforementioned topic is in high demand. The purposes of this study are to draw an overall picture on the counseling cases of Jesus in depth and to explore the two characteristics of His counseling model from the integrative perspective of theology and psychology. The significance of this study lies in the fact that there have been almost no detailed discussions that pay specific attention to the way Jesus counselled. This reality has been proven in the preliminary research (Chapter 2).
To accomplish these purposes, the researcher examines the following topics, which are composed of three parts. Part I as a theoretical background for the main study tries to examine Jesus as 'the Counselor' from a biblical and theological perspective and to analyze the counseling model of Jesus at the macro- and micro-level (Chapter 3). Part II as one of the main studies seeks to discuss the four cases of Jesus' actual counseling in depth from the biblical, theological, and psychological perspective. These four counseling cases are conceptualized into the seven categories, including information on the counselees and their counseling situations as well (Chapter 4). Part III as another main study focuses on exploring the two characteristics of Jesus' counseling model, which are to be considered as the distinctive characteristics of Christian counseling as compared to ordinary counseling (Chapter 5). The two characteristics are presented in terms of counseling topics and counseling dynamics, respectively.
The conclusion of this study includes contributions, ways of utilization, and suggestions for the further research. For further study, four recommendations are made in a concrete way: 1) the overall study of the ministry of Jesus in terms of His perfect humanity; 2) the need for further study on the counseling model of Jesus with regard to Christian spirituality; 3) the utilization of counseling resources such the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit; 4) the development of the Christian counselor's spirituality.
This study concludes that because Jesus' counseling model can serve as an example for modern Christian counselors, they are admonished to follow that of Jesus, 'the Master Counselor of heaven on earth,' while relying on the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, they are obligated to make the best utilization of the counseling resources, with which both Jesus and the Holy Spirit can endow them.