Christian Intrapersonal Formation: The Healing of Steve and Sarah
Based on the book by Rev. Dr. Yaron I. Kohen: Proactive Pastoral Counseling: An Intrapersonal Approach for Cultivating Christian Formation
Finding Healing from Within: Steve and Sarah’s Story
Steve and Sarah used to sit in the third row at church every Sunday. Their Bibles were open, and their hearts were eager to grow. But over time, something began to feel off. Church had become noisy—full of announcements, music, and polished sermons—but empty of spiritual depth. They rarely heard the name of Jesus beyond routine phrases. No one talked about heartache, internal battles, or growing in Christlikeness. They weren’t looking for a perfect church. They were longing for something real—something Spirit-led and rooted in God’s Word.
“We’re drowning in a shallow gospel,” Sarah said one day over coffee. “They tell us what to do but not how to heal. No one’s talking about the struggle inside—the emotional pain, the fear, the confusion, the identity issues.” Steve nodded. “We need real pastoral leadership,” he said. “Not just preaching, but someone to walk with us into God’s truth.”
The Search for Spirit-Led Counseling
One night, Sarah came across a message from Rev. Dr. Yaron Kohen—a seasoned pastor and counselor who taught on Christian Intrapersonal Formation through Proactive Pastoral Counseling. He spoke not just about outer behavior, but about healing the heart through engaging directly with God’s Word and submitting to the work of Holy Spirit. He taught that true transformation begins when we let the Bible speak into the deep places of our soul, confronting the dark places that lie within the shadows of our hearts and minds. Through Proactive Pastoral Counseling, believers confront their inner conflicts with biblical truth—not human advice. And by the power of the Holy Spirit, they begin to change from the inside out. Sarah looked at Steve with hope in her eyes. “This is it. This is what we’ve been missing.”
A Different Kind of Counseling
They reached out for a session with Rev. Dr. Kohen. What they experienced wasn’t clinical therapy—it was heart and soul care rooted in Scripture. Rev. Dr. Kohen didn’t just offer advice. He listened attentively with compassion, guided by God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit, and helped them see their inner struggles in light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Steve opened up first. “I feel forgotten by the church. Like I don’t matter unless I’m doing something for them. Isn’t church more than doing? What am I becoming?” Rev. Dr. Kohen gently opened his Bible. “Let’s read Psalm 42 together: ‘Why are you cast down, O my soul? Hope in God…’” Steve sat silently, stunned that Scripture spoke so clearly to his pain.
Sarah shared her own story. Her grief over her mother’s passing had been buried under years of ministry activity. “I’ve been pouring from an empty well,” she admitted tearfully.
Engaging the Soul with God’s Word
From that point on, Steve and Sarah began a journey engaging in Christian Integrative Therapeutics. This approach combined biblical wisdom, Spirit-led reflection, and practical tools for personal growth. It wasn’t just about coping—it was about healing through the power of directly engaging with God’s living Word. They learned how to:
Replace lies with biblical truths about who they are in Christ
Share their wounds in safe, Spirit-led conversations
Reflect on the thoughts and intention within their heart and mind with Holy Spirit guidance and power
Use Scripture-centered techniques to confront fear, grief, and shame on a daily basis
They began to experience what Rev. Dr. Kohen called Christian intrapersonal formation—the process of growing spiritually by letting God’s truth wholly reshape their inner world and life narrative.
Lasting Transformation through God’s Word
Week after week, they met with Rev. Dr. Kohen, read Scripture deeply, and allowed the Holy Spirit to do what sermons alone had not—transform their hearts and minds. Steve no longer sought approval through performance. He began leading a small group focused on emotional healing by sharing with them how God’s Word invaded his heart and mind and transformed him. Sarah, once spiritually dry, also came to life through engaging personally with God’s Word, finding purpose again mentoring women in grief, and more.
“It wasn’t just counseling,” Sarah said. “It was biblical discipleship shaped by real pastoral leadership, counseling, and soul care. We learned how to renew our minds with God’s truth and live from a place of faith.” Steve nodded. “What we found is what much of today’s Church has lost—it’s not about growing bigger buildings but growing people toward Christlikeness. True transformation happens when we allow the Holy Spirit to work within us, and as we engage directly with God’s Word, the Holy Spirit begins to change us from the inside out—not by striving to perform (doing church things), but by surrendering our hearts and minds to the lordship of Christ. I never imagined that facing my intrapersonal struggles with Scripture would bring such peace of mind and such deep rest for my soul.”
A New Mission: Deeper Discipleship
Today, Steve and Sarah help others find that same healing. They guide people to engage God’s Word deeply, confront their inner struggles honestly, and walk in the Spirit faithfully. They carry forward what they received: not just advice—but Spirit-filled, Scripture-based formation for lasting change.
The Bottom Line
The Church doesn’t need louder voices—it needs deeper shepherds. Pastors like Rev. Dr. Yaron Kohen are answering that call—helping believers face life’s inner struggles through Proactive Pastoral Counseling, a Christian therapeutic model that brings healing through the Word, power through the Spirit, and formation through faith. Steve and Sarah learned Rev. Dr. Kohen’s Proactive Pastoral Counseling and the process of Christian Intrapersonal Formation is not just counseling: It’s Christian discipleship. It’s Holy Spirit transformation. It’s Christian intrapersonal formation—the path to becoming whole in Christ.