rushed, or so important that they feel that they are bothering you. You are there at camp to work with them and don’t let anything else interfere with your time that is devoted to them. I f a counseling opportunity arises, “ after swim ming” or “ after lunch” may be too late and the opportunity may be gone. When people talk to you, do you listen? Can you determine what they are really saying, and do you appear interested? Do you wait to hear all o f their story before you give your advice? I f so, then you’re doing the right thing. Many times, through the process of “ talking it out” a person will be able to find the solution him self without your actually having told him. This happens if you’re a good listener! In order for campers to express themselves fully, they must have your un divided attention. Know when to remain silent. Many a person has curtailed a camper’s desire to talk by talking too soon and too much. Are you able to talk with them on their own level? If so, there will be communication and it will be two-way. Terms and phrases that are ambiguous and foreign to a camper will just confuse and confound the problem. Biblical terms, such as “ saved” and “ born again” and “ convicted” may mean a great deal to you, but what do they mean to the young person who lacks a biblical background? When you mention “ saved,” he might think that you’re talking about being saved in the swim ming pool. “ Convicted” might mean guilty of a crime in a court! Use words he will understand and if you use a biblical phrase, ex plain it to him. Know up-to-date terms and the current vocabulary o f the age group with which you are work ing. This doesn’t mean that you always have to use their “ slang.” You’ll feel uncomfortable if the words are not a part o f your own vocabulary. A good rule to follow is to use known terms to explain the unknown.
C OUNSELING is A relationship in which one person tries to help another to understand and solve problems. It is an un derstanding between persons which results in a change. It sometimes involves advice-giving, information-giving, in te rp re ta tion o f situations, encouraging the other person to think out or work out his difficulties and often, it involves just listening. Basical ly, it is a communication process. He speaks to you and you respond to him. Christian counseling is unique because in the final analysis your counseling will lead to Christ.
Your final source o f authority is the Scripture. Christian counsel ing goes beyond ordinary coun seling. It supplies the answer for every problem in the person of Jesus Christ, and an authoritative guide for conduct in the Word of God. Therefore, your counseling has a deeper function — that of training a girl or boy to relate every aspect o f life to Christ and look to Him each moment. Your availability will be an important factor in any counsel ing that you will do at camp. If the campers find you ready and willing to listen, they will seek you out. Don’t appear so busy, so
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