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And we translate "discipleship" to mean "learning all the do’s and don’ts of Christianity and basic doctrine/theology through accumulation of Bible knowledge."

Let’s go back to the very beginning here.  These verses say we are to be witnesses.  To witness doesn’t mean "present the plan of salvation."  Witness quite simply means to tell about what I’ve seen and experienced.  In a court of law a witness can only testify to what he himself knows; no heresay.  The same is true of our witness!  A true witness cannot tell about what someone told him is true or what he read in a book.  A true witness can only be about what I have seen and experienced to be true.  So, in this context, to witness for the Lord I must have a real personal relationship with Him to tell about.  As counselors our role is to tell what we have experienced with Christ and how it offers the same hope and healing to others.

Another translation we make is to interpret "gospel" to mean "plan of salvation."  Gospel means "good news."  Gospel includes what we know as "the plan of salvation" but is not limited to this!  The plan of salvation is only a part of a very big whole.  Not only is it a part of a larger whole, but it is integrally mixed with the whole.  In other words, the whole is not subdivided into separate parts with one part being the "plan of salvation."  The plan of salvation is an integral and inseparable part of a larger whole.  It does not equate to a scripted presentation of verses designed to convince someone to pray the sinner’s prayer. 

Jesus Himself defines the word gospel and we suddenly find ourselves looking straight in the face of our ministry as counselors.  Jesus presented the detailed description of his ministry in Luke 4:18, which is a restatement of Isaiah 61:1-4.  In Luke we see the word "gospel" and in Isaiah 61 we see the words "good tidings."  There is nothing in these passages to insist that these words be limited to the meaning "plan of salvation" as we know it.  Rather, the context of both suggestions a broader, while still inclusive, meaning. 

Jesus’ ministry, as described in these passages and throughout the New Testament, was one of meeting people at the point of their physical and emotional need and bringing healing.  This healing, as demonstrated in the whole of Scripture includes, stems from, and is integrally connected to repentance and the forgiveness of sin --- which is the part we would call "salvation."  Jesus’ message of salvation doesn’t stop with just the forgiveness of sin, it goes on to healing the whole person.  And this makes sense when we remember that the names of God describe who He is.  Jesus is called our Savior.  That doesn’t mean He only saves our eternal soul from damnation.  As a  fundamental part of His character He is a savior.  He is our savior in every area in which we need saving --- including emotional and physical need.  He is also our Redeemer.  He not only redeems our eternal souls but He redeems our daily lives and our painful yesterdays.

There are several places in the Word that indicate that repentance and the forgiveness of sin are intrinsically connected to physical/emotional healing. 

In Matt. 9:2-6, when the paralytic was brought to him, Jesus told him his sins were forgiven.  What?  That’s not what the paralytic came to find!  But then Jesus goes on to heal the man physically, in demonstration of the fact that the power to forgive sins and the power to heal are demonstrations of the same power. 

In James 5:14-16, we are told that confession of sin and prayer precede physical healing. 

So, how does this apply to us as counselors?

II Pet. 1:3 says, "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue..."  Through knowing God we are given "all things that pertain unto life and godliness."  That says ALL things.  Through relationship with God and through His Word He gives us all the knowledge and all the answers we need for every single situation or circumstance that we, or our counselees, will ever experience.

As we follow the example of Jesus we will meet people at the place of their need, bringing them healing through the "gospel" --- simply testifying about the good news of the truth.  The Word says that "ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (Jn. 8:32)  The truth, found in the Word (Jn. 17:17) and in relationship with God (Jn. 14:6) through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 16:13-14), is the answer for every place of bondage. 

This role of "counselor" is, in fact, true discipleship and is a fulfillment of the Great Commission.  As counselors we are leading others into the truth through our testimony.  A disciple is a follower, one who patterns their life after another --- in this case, Jesus Christ.  As counselors, we are witnessing as we share the truth of the physical and spiritual healing found in following Christ.

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