Addendum to Awana Orientation Instructor Notes
The following notes are suggestions for changes to the Awana Orientation
Training Kit.
General
Rather than giving a break after Orientation to Clubs and Roles, give participants a break
before the first scheduled break and eliminate this one.
Importance of Children’s Ministry
Importance of Children’s Ministry
Teaching Instructions
Before starting this section, introduce
the principle…
Content
We need to think about kids and why
children’s ministry is important. We’re
going to look at
Kids…
Prominent Christian leaders…
And the Bible…
to consider how important it is to
minister to children.
At each shift, mention…
“ok, we’re moving on to hear from
leaders (or Scripture) now…”
Orientation to Clubs and Roles
Orientation to Clubs and Roles
Teaching Instructions
This new section will require that you
do some advanced preparation. Make
sure you have the following materials:
 Club and program display
posters
 Uniforms/apparel for each club
and youth program
 A few handbooks for each club
and select youth materials
 Copies of the handouts (see
following pages)
At different locations in the room, set
up learning stations for each club and
program. For each, hang the poster and
create a display with a shirt (preferably
with awards), materials and, if you have
them, pictures. Include any other
materials or signage you wish. Also set
out the handouts (put these out during
the video so people don’t take them
before you want them to).
5
After showing the video ask if anyone
in the room has served in Awana, JV or
Journey. If so, ask for a story or two to
share about the joys of serving with a
particular age group.
If no one has served in Awana, ask if
there are any good stories about other
ministry with a particular age group
(you’re trying to help undecided leaders
to choose a particular club or program).
15
Instead of reviewing characteristics of
each age group, as a large group….
Give participants 15 minutes to explore
Content
the learning stations. Encourage them to
talk with others who are drawn to a
particular age group. For leaders who
are undecided, encourage them to visit
all the stations, pick up the handouts
and talk to others.
There is less than an hour in the
program at this point, so encourage
them to use the restroom, etc during this
time. Skip the break in the instructor
notes at the end of this session.
Return to original orientation notes
(community outreach).
Cubbies
Three to four-year-olds — the two years prior to kindergarten
The following are some characteristics of Cubbies clubs:
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Quick moving, engaging and hands on
Divided into five segments during which you will involve toddlers at various
levels of activity
o Coming-in Time — just before the official start, when parents bring
their children
o Starting and Story Time — this is time for puppets, Bible truths and
a Bible story
o Book Time — small group time when clubbers recite their verses
and show leaders their handbook work
o Play Time — noncompetitive game time
o Going-home Time — time for clean-up, review and talking with
parents
Parental involvement is key and leaders make efforts before and after
club, and outside church, to meet and engage parents.
The handbook materials include an entrance booklet (Bear Hug Brochure)
and two handbooks (Hopper and Jumper).
Parents and Cubbies work at one of three levels which provide extra effort
for higher achievers.
Scripture memory verses are simplified for Cubbies, and 3-year-olds are
encouraged, but not required, to say the references. Leaders use a group
method, called the three-hop method, to help Cubbies.
Discipline is achieved by using Cubbie Bear Buddy Rules (for large group
times), Cubby Bear Buddy Levels (which signify allowed noise and activity
during all club segments) and the five-count.
Cubbies uniforms are blue vests on which all patch awards are sewn.
Cubbies may or may not have snacks, depending on the church.
Cubbies leaders approach club with a Total Time Teaching mentality.
Everything that happens in club is created to relate to the truth for the
evening – Bible story, puppet skit, activities, games and even snacks.
Leaders need to show Cubbies how God’s world works in its totality by
relating all of their conversation to God’s Word. This is all meant to
reinforce what Cubbies have learned at home as well.
Cubbies materials focus on helping children to know God.
Understanding Cubbies
Spiritually — they are learning to trust, and can trust Jesus as Savior.
Mentally — they explore everything and can memorize Scripture and songs.
Physically — they are changing dramatically and can hop, skip and jump.
Emotionally — they express intense feelings and enjoy laughing.
Socially — they are developing relationships and can take turns and share.
Sparks
Kindergarten through second grade
Club Characteristics
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Club is divided into the following main segments:
o Large Group Time — a 30-40 minute segment which includes the
entire club meeting together for singing, a Bible lesson, gospel
presentation, testimonies, award presentations and
announcements
o Handbook time — a 30-40 minute segment during which Sparkies
meet with their leaders in small groups. This time allows leaders to
disciple children by building relationships, listening to verses and
helping them understand their meaning. Leaders also have the
opportunity to answer questions about the Bible lesson and share
the gospel with Sparkies.
o Game Time — a 30-40 minute segment of club which features
games on the Awana Game Square or any type of games that are
appropriate for Sparkie-aged children. It is a fun, high-energy time
that attracts kids to club.
o Many clubs also have an opening ceremony – five-minute segment
of club which includes pledges and opening prayer.
The handbook materials include an entrance booklet (Flight 3:16) and
three handbooks (HangGlider, WingRunner, and SkyStormer). The goal
for all Sparks is to finish at least one handbook during a club year. They
work at their own pace and can complete extra work.
Scripture memory includes reference and verse, and only two helps.
Sparks uniforms are red vests.
Awards include patches and eye-catching flight wings that hold red, green
and blue jewels.
Discipline is achieved through the use of a five-count method for groups
and three-count for individuals.
Sparks materials focus on Bible character biographies.
Understanding Sparkies
Spiritually — they understand the gospel and can know and worship God.
Mentally — they are learning to read and write, are literal-minded, have a limited
concept of time and posses an active imagination.
Physically — they have rapid, uneven growth spurts; are energetic but tire easily.
Emotionally — they enjoy excitement; are sensitive, self-conscious and quick to
sympathize with others.
Socially — they are self-centered yet enjoy friends, like to talk and need adult
approval.
Truth & Training (T&T)
For third through sixth graders
Club Characteristics
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Divided into three main segments
o Large Group Time — called Council Time
— during which there is a Bible lesson,
singing, announcements and award
presentations
o Handbook Time — when clubbers review their memory verses and
handbook sections with their leaders, earning awards
o Game Time — during which clubbers play games, often on the
Awana Game Square
o Many clubs also have an opening ceremony
Handbook materials include an entrance booklet (StartZone) and four
handbooks based on adventure themes. The goal for all T&Ters is to
finish at least one handbook during a club year.
Clubbers work at their own pace. Those who finish can do the Silver and
Gold sections if they haven’t already. They also can review the handbook
verses.
Working through T&T handbooks starts kids on a path to earn the Citation
Award — the top award in Awana. The Citation Award is linked to many
college scholarships.
Scripture is recited with only two helps and multiple verses in one section
must be said together, without study time in between.
Uniforms can be gray shirts, green polo shirts or T&T t-shirts, depending
on club choice. Clubs in which higher percentages of kids and leaders
wear uniforms have higher handbook completion rates.
Awards are displayed on an award badge.
Discipline is achieved by using the five-count for groups and three-count
for individuals.
T&T materials are written to help kids love God. There still is an
evangelism emphasis but materials are beginning to reflect a
discipleship emphasis.
Understanding T&T clubbers
Spiritually — they want to know the truth and want life to be fair.
Mentally — they love to learn, are able to set goals, begin to understand choices
and consequences, and are developing talents and skills.
Physically—they experience steady growth and maturing coordination skills.
Emotionally—they struggle with self-confidence.
Socially—they are competitive, make strong friendships and are hero
worshippers.
Trek
For middle school or junior-high students
Program Characteristics
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Evangelism always is a main focus of Awana, but youth ministry is
focused primarily on discipleship — helping teenagers become more like
Christ.
Trek can function in a club-style format but the materials also are flexible
so churches can adapt them to their own formats.
Kids are divided into three groups
o Come See kids come for fun, often are not believers and are not
committed (not formally divided out from the rest of the group)
o Come Follow kids usually are believers and are committed to
coming and participating (not formally divided from the rest of the
group)
o Come Serve kids are committed Christ followers and want to be
involved in the ministry. This group is self-identifies and usually
distinct from the rest of the group. They help plan and prepare
meetings and events and may want deeper Bible study.
Materials include Compass Points and Bible Studies, both of which can be
used interchangeably in large and small groups.
Trek materials focus heavily on discipleship, more so than other clubs.
Teens are encouraged to grow in their love of God and service for Him.
Trek is part of 24-7 Ministries -- named for our desire that teenagers will know,
love, and serve the Lord 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Understanding junior high students:
Spiritually — they begin formulating their own beliefs and question those of their
parents
Mentally — they are developing logic and reasoning to reach rational conclusions
Physically — significant, rapid changes make most overly self-conscious and feel
inferior
Emotionally—hormonal changes affect stability; problems can seem larger than
life and lead to drastic mood swings
Socially — they desire independence but lack confidence to achieve it; they
desire attention and relationships; are in a time of self-doubt, peer dependency,
stepping away from parents and focusing on the present.
Journey
High school students
Program Characteristics
 Students are divided into three groups
o Come See students come for fun, often are not believers and are
not committed (not formally divided out from the rest of the group)
o Come Follow students usually are believers and committed to
coming and participating (not formally divided from the group)
o Come Serve students are committed Christ followers and want to
be involved in the ministry. This group is self-identifies and usually
distinct from the rest of the group. They help plan and prepare
meetings and events and may want deeper Bible study.
 Two categories of Bible studies: Main and Elective. One Main Study is to
be used during the first half of a year and one Elective during the second.
 Students who complete Journey should have a better-than-basic
understanding of God’s Word.
 The Citation Award is the pinnacle of the Awana program. Students who
complete ten years of handbooks have read the entire Bible, memorized
over 500 Bible verses, served in local church ministry, and learned both
basic and some advanced biblical doctrines. Over 25 colleges recognize
this achievement and provide scholarships for Citation achievers.
 Summit is the annual teen ministry gathering. Youth groups and individual
students come from around the country to worship and be encouraged by
God's Word; compete in Bible Quiz, sports, fine arts, and AwanaGames
competitions; and be challenged to service. Those who have earned the
Citation Award are honored and presented their award.
 The program is flexible – there is not right or wrong way to structure a
Journey ministry.
Journey is part of 24-7 Ministries -- named for our desire that teenagers will
know, love, and serve the Lord 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Understanding high-school students:
Spiritually — they are facing more direct questions about faith as they spend
more time in the world.
Mentally — they are becoming aware of long-term results of decisions and
thinking about the future.
Physically — their body change is near complete.
Emotionally — they are still quite self-centered.
Socially — they are seeking and forming lasting relationships; are under pressure
from parents and themselves and about education and the future; are in a time of
limited independence, busy schedules, short-term priorities and lifelong
decisions.