Ep. 551 Daniel Berger: Discipling a Fool’s Heart

Shows Main Idea – Godly parents and educators ponder how they can practically help their child turn from being a foolish youth to becoming a wise lover of Christ (Proverbs 1:22-23). Though no parent can transform a child’s spiritual heart, all believing parents are called to discipline their children in wisdom so that God can convert them to be wise (Proverbs 1:8; 13:1). In this interview with Dr. Daniel Berger, you will find encouragement and clear direction as you parent your child, mature in friendship, and increase your skill as a biblical counselor.

Show Notes

Other Helpful Resources

• Discipling a Fool’s Heart on Amazon
• Dr. Daniel Berger’s Website

Godly discipline and wisdom should be viewed as inseparable (e.g., Proverbs 1:2; 7-8). Sadly, the beauty and unmatched benefit of biblical discipline has become so perverted by unbiblical and secular influence that not only is biblical discipline erroneously thought of as merely a negative and punitive response to sin, but also it is not being properly applied in the home, church, or places of education. Consequently, God, who disciplines true believers in love (Proverbs 3:3-4; 11-12), has been characterized as somewhat of a celestial ogre who waits for his children to step out of line so that He can punish them.

Such a view of God and His discipline in wisdom is a perversion of the gospel of grace and is negatively impacting individual souls, households, churches, counseling organizations, and Christian education. The simple truth is that biblical discipleship cannot occur as God intends if discipline in wisdom, as God has designed, is absent.

In Discipling a Fool’s Heart, Dr. Berger challenges readers to return to God’s biblical definition, understanding, design, and application of wise discipline—a worldview of education—that leads to wise, prudent disciples of Christ, who are then compelled to disciple others. This book is not only instructive, but it also provides practical wisdom to be faithfully applied in discipleship. It is time to prudently heed God’s admonition to “listen to wise counsel and receive God’s discipline” (Proverbs 19:18; 20).

About Daniel Berger

Dr. Daniel R. Berger II is the lead pastor at Faith Fellowship Church in Clarence, NY, the founder and director of Alethia International Ministries (AIM), and serves as the director of Faith Biblical Counseling Center. Daniel continues to write and to speak around the world in churches, organizations, medical communities, and various counseling and teachers’ conferences. He is also an experienced pastor, counselor, school administrator, and the author of numerous books on Christian counseling, practical theology, education, and the history and philosophy of the mental health construct. Daniel earned his B.S. in counseling, an M.S. in counseling and psychology, an M.A. in pastoral studies, and a doctorate in pastoral theology. Daniel is also an adjunct professor at several Universities and seminaries. When he is not speaking, he and his wife, Oriana, live in Clarence, NY, with their three children.

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Rick Thomas

Rick launched the Life Over Coffee global training network in 2008 to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. His primary responsibilities are resource creation and leadership development, which he does through speaking, writing, podcasting, and educating.

In 1990 he earned a BA in Theology and, in 1991, a BS in Education. In 1993, he received his ordination into Christian ministry, and in 2000 he graduated with an MA in Counseling from The Master’s University. In 2006 he was recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).