Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed!

Tonight was the first night of our 2012-2013 season of A.W.A.N.A. in our home church. You may have never heard of the AWANA program before.

 It is an acronym that stands for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed. 

The theme verse is 2 Timothy 2:15:

" Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

It is a program that will teach our little ones from the age of 3 all the way through high school. It is broken up in 5 age groups: Cubbies ages 3-5, Sparks ages K5-2nd grade, Truth N Training grades 3-6, Trek grades 7-8, and Journey grades 9-12. We have 3 sessions in the program-there is a game time, a book time where they memorize scripture, and a counsel time where a bible challenge is shared.

It's neat to see the different kids invite their friends and neighbors to come and take part of our group. We start off the evening with pledges, prayer and songs. Then the age groups break off to their separate sessions. 

I appreciate this program not only does it invest time in our young people, the church's next generation, but it is centered around the Bible. It is based on the Bible and you earn your badges and awards by memorizing scriptures and quoting it. We start off with the salvation message. Each clubber hears that God loves THEM and died for their sin-John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son. that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." We then go down the "Romans Road" which are verses that show each of us how we are sinners and when we acknowledge that fact and confess our sins, God will forgive us and become our Savior and we are assured of eternal life with Him in heaven when we die. There are also a few projects to do throughout the year that are service involved and that is good for our young people as well. We also look forward to 2 major events in the year: Bible Quizzing-you test your bible knowledge against other churches that are learning the A.W.A.N.A. sections as well, and the Grand Prix-it's our version of the Pinewood Derby. The kids build wooden cars and decorate them and race them. We have a lot of fun.  This program is a good base for our young people, but the acronym should continue to work for all of us, no matter our age. We should continue to memorize scripture and be able to share the Word with those around us. As we live one day at a time we want to learn more so that we become more like Christ. I want to hear my Savior say at the end of my life,

"Well done my good and faithful servant."