Posted in My Homeschool FAQs

Recently I was having a conversation with my 11 year-old regarding a conflict he was having with friend.  I said to him “Remember, the Bible says Do unto others and you would have them do unto you.”  Before he could reply his 4 year-old sister chimed in “Yeah and don’t forget it also says Love your neighbor like yourself!”  That is why I LOVE Awana.

I didn’t grow up in Awana, but my husband did.  When we were 1st married he said to me one time “Whenever we have kids I want them in Awana.”  My husband seldom makes blanket statements like this about some unknown future, so it stuck in my head.  Then a few years later, still before we had kids, we became friends with lady who was just one of those dynamic Christians you always admire.  One day I asked her how she became a Christian.  We had met her family by now and none of them were believers.  She told me this Story.  
“When I was a child my parents took us to Awana.  I loved it and learned all the verses.  We went for a long time.  My parents were not believers, but they liked the idea of a safe place for us to go one night a week and Awana fit the bill.  Well, in my teen years I got into some bad stuff.  I was messed up, using methanphetamines.  I know it was wrong, but I just didn’t care.  Then one day I was cleaning my room and I came across my old Awana books.  I opened one and all the verses came flooding back to me.  I remembered it all!  I knew I needed to be saved!   I got on my bicycle and rode to the church where I had attended Awana as a child.  I asked to see the Pastor, told him my story and he led me through the prayer to accept Christ!  From that day on I was a new creation!  I never did another drug.”
Wow, another reason I LOVE Awana.

So what is Awana?  It’s a Bible Club for kids.  The children meet one night a week to play games, hear Bible Stories, recite the verses they memorized that week and have fun!  My kids LOVE Awana.  My 11 year-old have been in it since he was 3.  They start out in Cubbies, a 2-year preschool program.  Then they go to Sparks for K-2.  Then on to TNT (Truth & Training) for grades 3-6.  The program goes all the way through high school, but many churches only go through 6th.   The kids love it, but they really do learn God’s word.  My son completed all the books in Sparks and I was amazed when he got he award at the end of the year and they announced he had memorized 146 verses in 3 years!  I have no idea how many he has memorized by now, but it’s a lot!  I can see the evidence of it in his life too.  He will frequently come up with a verse when we are discussing something.  Usually one I wouldn’t have remembered.  (Remember I didn’t grow up in Awana.) The acronym Awana comes from the first letters of Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed as taken from 2 Timothy 2:15.

But, there is more about Awana that I love!  
It gives me an opportunity to serve.  I was an Awana leader for 7 years before my 3rd child was born.  Then once baby number 3 came along I started working in the nursery on Awana nights to allow others to serve.  
It gives me an opportunity to learn.  Since I didn’t grow up learning these verses I have been learning them right along with my kids.  Awana is a great non-intimidating way to study God’s word.
It gives us a place to socialize.  Both my kids and myself have made great lifelong friends through Awana.
It gives us fun easy bible program for our homeschooling.  I have found we don’t have to do a whole lot else for Bible Study other than Awana.
It gives us a great place to invite friends.  Awana is a great place to invite friends who may not be open to coming to church on Sunday.  I’ve lost count of how many kids my kids have invited to Awana!

Awana has been a huge blessing to our family.  I recommend it highly, in case you haven’t noticed!