What is a Christian life coach, and is the concept biblical?

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Question: "What is a Christian life coach, and is the concept biblical?"

Answer: There is a rising trend today of hiring Christian life coaches. A Christian life coach is similar to a secular life coach who promises people a better self, better relationships, and a stronger financial future, but from a faith-based perspective. In short, a Christian life coach encourages believers (usually for a price) in ways to be more successful in life.

The concept of a life coach is not biblical per se, but neither is hiring a life coach forbidden in the Bible. However, believers should remember that God has already given us “everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him” (2 Peter 1:3). Further, the Word of God is “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Hiring a Christian life coach would appear to be adding an unnecessary layer to what God has already provided.

The Holy Spirit is our ultimate life coach; He teaches us “all things” (John 14:26) and empowers us to live the Christian life (2 Timothy 1:7). And the church exists to teach the Word of God and equip the saints. One of the gifts of the Spirit is encouragement (Romans 12:8), also called “exhortation.” Pastors are experienced exhorters, and Spirit-filled members of a church will be natural encouragers. Plus, unlike the advice of many professional Christian life coaches, the church’s exhortations come free of charge.