THEME: Persevering in the Whole Counsel of God | PLENARY SESSION: 2016 National Conference | BY: Mark Vroegop
In this message, Pastor Mark Vroegop encourages us to declare the whole counsel of God to our students and children. In the first portion of the message, he urges us forward by explaining what is at stake and why this is such a crucial issue for parents and the church to address. But how do we actually go about teaching the whole counsel of God? Pastor Vroegop goes on to highlight and explain six “how’s” that should characterize our teaching.
We must declare the whole counsel of God…
- Personally
- Seriously
- Faithfully
- Thoroughly
- Urgently
- Confidently
His message is a timely and urgent call to parents, teachers, ministry leaders, pastors, and elders. Here are some follow-up questions for pondering.
For Further Thought
- Does our current children’s and youth ministry vision and philosophy include an emphasis on teaching the whole counsel of God? How might we go about evaluating this? (Recall his explanation of unified, balanced, and comprehensive teaching.)
- Does my own heart and life reflect the importance of knowing and embracing the whole counsel of God? What areas might be “weak” points for me, and what steps can I take to begin to grow in these areas?
- How would I rate myself on his six “how’s”? How would I rate our children’s and youth ministries? How could I appropriately and helpfully address any concerns?
- Are there teachers, parents, or other ministry leaders who would be blessed by this message? What could I do to graciously encourage them to watch this?
Mark Vroegop joined the leadership team at College Park Church in Indianapolis as Lead Pastor in 2008, after serving as a pastor for 13 years in Michigan. Mark was thrilled to join a clear and historic movement of God at College Park Church and be part of igniting a passion to follow Jesus, a love for the Word, and a desire to see lives changed. His articles have been published in Leadership and 9Marks journals, and he serves on the boards of Life Action Ministries and Cedarville University, his alma mater. Mark and his wife, Sarah, have four children, Hayden, Joseph, Jeremiah, and Savannah, and one daughter, Sylvia, who is in heaven after her unexpected still-birth in 2004.
Note: This session was produced under our previous name, Children Desiring God.
