Awana Leader Training Equipping the saints to serve.

Awana Leader
Training
Equipping the saints to serve.
Schedule For Today
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An Overview of Awana (25 minutes) – 1:00 pm
Break (5 minutes)
Leadership, Discipline (25 minutes) – 1:30 pm
Break (5 minutes)
Meeting Segments (25 minutes) – 2:00 pm
Break (15 minutes)
Cubbies (25 minutes) – 2:40 pm
Break (5 minutes)
Sparks (25 minutes) – 3:10 pm
Break (5 minutes)
Truth and Training (25 minutes) – 3:40 pm
Break (5 minutes)
Tests and Scoring (25 minutes) – 4:10 pm
The Gift (30 minutes) – 4:35 pm
The Gift Test (15 minutes) – 5:05 pm
Awards (5 minutes) – 5:20 pm
Out by 5:30 pm
Overview of Awana
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The purpose of the Awana Ministry is to:
Reach boys and girls with the gospel of Christ and
train them to serve Him
 Reach parents and family members with the gospel
 Train adults to minister to children
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Your service as an Awana leader helps fulfill the
Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20)
What does AWANA Stand for?
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Approved
Workmen
Are
Not
Ashamed
Sometimes
Comes from 2Tim 2:15 – Study to show thyself
Approved unto God, a Workman that needeth Not to
be Ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.
Why Awana?
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Children must enjoy God’s Word
Christian friendships are a powerful tool against
Satan’s grip on children
Our children need godly heroes – YOU!
Awana Emphasizes:
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The Gospel Message
Scripture Memory
What’s the Big Attraction?
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Games!
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Ask most kids why they come to Awana, and they
will tell you it’s all about the fun games we play!
Awards!
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Every kid (adults too!) needs an ‘Atta-boy’ from time
to time, for the hard work they do.
Children Must Know
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Why they need to be saved
What salvation brings
That they must trust what Christ did on the
cross
The Club Meeting
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Opening Ceremony (10 minutes)
Game Time (30 minutes)
Handbook Time (30 minutes)
Council Time (30 minutes)
Closing Time (10 minutes)
Add 5 minutes for movement, section to section
Awana Clubs
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Cubbies – Ages 3-4
Sparks – K5 – 2nd Grade
Truth and Training – 3rd – 6th Grade
Truth – We want clubbers to know the Truth of
God’s Word
 Train – We want to train them to serve Him in their
everyday lives.
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Junior Varsity – 7th-8th grade
Varsity (Journey 24/7) – 9th-12th grade
BREAKTIME!
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Be back in 5 minutes…
Leadership Structure
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Church Pastor
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Commander
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Records advancement, issues uniforms and books and gathers awards for Awards
Ceremony. Records points towards Awana Store
LIT – Leader In Training
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A committed volunteer who gives time to work with Clubbers
Secretary
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Hands-on management of Club
Leader
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Oversees 2 or more clubs
Director
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Responsible for all aspects of club
Needs to be Certified also. Works with kids at least 2 grades younger.
Game Director
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Organizes Awana Games on the game circle, prepares games ahead of time,
ensures fair play and FUN!
Leader Qualifications
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Genuinely saved and above reproach
Consistent walk with the Lord
Burdened to reach kids for Christ
Enthusiastic
Patient and gentle
Trained (what you are getting now!)
Leaders Wear Uniforms to:
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Encourage discipline
Promote club unity
Provides a place to display awards
Allows clubbers to identify leaders
Action Steps for Awana Leaders:
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Study Leader Basics and complete the Training
Test
Attend Monthly Prayer and Planning Sessions
Commit to a year of service
Annually Attend the Leadership Training
Conference
Leadership Training Conference
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September 10th, Germantown Baptist Church, 8-4
Mark Your Calendars!
Once A Year Commitment
Recharges your batteries. Encouraging. Informative.
Valuable Class Instruction on every aspect of club
Leaders train other leaders
Instead of everyone going to the same class, split up
and cover more subjects. Get handouts and make
photocopies for all leaders.
I will be teaching 4 classes. The least you can do is
come see if I flubb up!
Leadership Awards
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Basic Training
BT Bar for any uniform
 BT Patch for casual shirt
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Other Awards
Years of service, Sharing Awana, Leadership
Conference Attendance, Awana Games Attendance,
Awana Games Service, Bible Quiz Service, Trainer
Pin, Book Awards (YES, you can earn them too!)
 Worn on BT Bar, collar or award strips. Patches
worn on sleeves.
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Discipline
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What Discipline IS:
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What Discipline is NOT:
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To Disciple, to Teach, To Mold
Punishing, revenge, physical abuse, verbal abuse.
Positive Discipline:
Verbal praise
 Positive points
 Special Recognition
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Tools of Discipline
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Preparation
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Whistle – to start games
5 – count
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Leader begins counting SLOWLY to five, raised hand, raised voice (no yelling)
All clubbers should be quiet and still BEFORE the leader reaches 5. They should ALL be
looking at the leader counting.
Maintains discipline, gets clubbers’ attention for announcements and information.
Positive points – to enforce the 5-count. Awarded to first team to be quiet
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Keep the meeting moving along, clubbers do not have TIME to get bored and unruly.
Don’t take points away, look for ways to reward positive behavior.
3 – count
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Individual rebellion.
At ONE, clubber is warned by Leader, explaining what happens at 2 & 3
At TWO, clubber is taken to Director, who warns clubber. Clubber may be kept from
activities at Director’s discretion.
At THREE, Clubber is taken to Commander, who will call parents to come get clubber.
Parents are required to talk with Commander before clubber can come back to club.
Points!!
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The MOST important things receive the MOST
points
The team that wins should win because of
sections and behavior.
TEAM points go towards a team prize at endof-night.
Individual points go towards Awana Bucks to be
used in the Awana Store.
The Path to Good Discipline
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The Director is the primary disciplinarian
Stay on schedule!
Plan thoroughly and prepare well
Keep the meeting moving
Meet clubbers’ needs
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(Sometimes you may THINK what a clubber
NEEDS is a swift kick, but what they usually need is
some loving correction and gentle firmness.)
Establishing Good Discipline
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Establish Club Rules
Be Sure each rule is necessary
Enforce the rules fairly and consistently
Encourage good conduct by personal example
Make discipline a matter of prayer
Recognize that various degrees of noise and quiet are
acceptable
Establish standards for discipline when clubbers move
from one segment of club to another
Importance of the Uniform
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It enhances discipline
It develops a feeling of unity
It provides a place to display awards
It bonds Leaders and Clubbers
BREAKTIME!!
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Stretch your legs!
Grab a drink
Be back in 5!
Opening
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A proper Opening sets the stage for Discipline for the
rest of the night.
Begin Opening with Five Count
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Clubbers should assemble on game square lines
Leaders and clubbers should be silent.
Doors are closed to meeting room for opening.
No latecomers should be allowed to straggle in.
One leader should be posted outside door to enforce
this
Two clubbers in uniform, selected before the meeting,
or the previous week, get the flags
Opening – A Great Start
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Flag Ceremony
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Attention!
Present Colors! (clubbers get flags, carry to the LONG hash mark on
Adjacent color diagonals
Right Hand Salute!(right hand over heart)
Pledge (American Flag, Awana Flag)
Post Colors! (clubbers carry flags back to posts)
Order Arms!
Awana Song
Here, if you wish can go the Sparks Key Verse, Sparky song,
T&T song, Awana Cheer, Sparks Cheer
Prayer
General Announcements (Handouts at END of night!)
The Meeting Night
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Divided into 3 segments:
Handbook Time (Sparkle Time)
 Game Time
 Council Time (Green Meadow)
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General Info – Handbook Time
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Gives an opportunity to work individually with
clubbers to lead them to accept Christ as Savior and
grow spiritually.
All clubbers must start in their club’s entrance booklet
when they enter that club.
All clubbers must then start in the first book of their
club.
Clubbers who start a year or two late in their club can
go on to do multiple books in one year. NO clubber
should ever advance beyond his/her grade level.
Handbook Time-Sections
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What is a SECTION?
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The amount of work a clubber MUST do at one
setting to earn a leader’s signature.
Sections may contain:
Bible memory
 Questions to be answered
 Things to do
 Bible reading and written questions to answer.
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Handbook Time- Section Passing
Standards
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Sections MUST be passed in one setting.
Clubbers may receive no more than TWO helps per section
A HELP consists of 1-3 words or a verse reference
Clubbers must recite Address and Verse
Clubbers must complete ALL section activities.
Sections must be completed in order.
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(Exceptions to this will be discussed later)
Sections must be completed in Handbook Time or at Awanaaccepted functions (Super Section Saturdays and scheduled
available times)
Parents cannot pass their own children on sections unless they
are that clubber’s leader.
Handbook Time – The Leader’s
Role
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Open with prayer
Get each child working
Listen to sections
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Each child should be limited to 1-2 sections until ALL have had a chance
to recite. Then work back through for those wanting to complete more.
Help clubbers understand. Review the words after they complete the
section.
Get to know your clubbers
Keep Records.
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Sign clubber’s book.
Fill out clubber’s attendance points and permanent record
Fill out nightly advancement sheet for Secretary to pull awards
General Info - Gametime
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The BIG Draw of Awana
Provides fun. KISMIF
 Develops good sportsmanship
 Gives Clubbers exercise
 Encourages Clubbers to excel.
 Provides practice for Awana Games and SAR.
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What does a Game Director Do?
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Plans and directs game time.
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Plan games 2 weeks in advance
Plan to have 5-6 games per night
Plan games that apply to Theme nights, plan special, odd, or
NEW games the kids have never tried (KISMIF).
Controls the gametime
Maintains the pace and discipline of Game Time
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Give children who don’t WANT to play a JOB –
scorekeeper, team lap counter, beanbag monitor for tug-ofwar, cheerleader.
Line Leader Duties
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Is Enthusiastic
Be a proper example
Be THERE! Your team needs you.
Is an Encourager
Is an assistant. Helps team line up for each game
Helps maintain discipline
Awana Game Circle
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Teams are divided up by the
4 game Circle colors: Red,
Yellow, Blue, Green
Teams line up outside the
square
Line Leader stands by the
Team color diagonal
Here is the starting line.
Most games end in the center
in a race for the center pin
Players run in a
counterclockwise direction
Council Time
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Kids and leaders are together in a large group setting
Focuses on the bible
Provides another opportunity to present the gospel.
Use worship music to help clubbers prepare for the
message
Message should be one minute per year of age plus 3.
Leave Time for counseling
Use an invitation that encourages a genuine response
Use biblically accurate phrases for explaining the gospel
that are also age appropriate.
Council Time-Schedule
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Prayer
Worship - 5 minutes
Testimony time – 5 minutes
Message – 10 minutes
Invitation
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If God is talking to you, if you feel like you would like to pray
with a leader, please look up at me. Those who have looked
up may go with X and X now.
Counseling– 5 minutes
Awards – 5 minutes (Secretary should be ready)
Announcements
LOONG BREAKTIME!!!
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Stretch your legs!
Be back in 15 minutes
Cubbies
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Ages 3-4 (begins 2 years before Kindergarten)
Uniform=Blue Vest
Mascot=Cubbie Bear
2 Handbooks (Hopper, Jumper)
Entire group works in same book each year.
The A-B-C’s of Cubbies
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A – NURTURE is a highly effective teaching
approach
B – Total Time Teaching
C – Age-appropriate Awards
Nurture
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What IS Nurture?
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When and how is nurture applied?
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Learning continually by example and training
Built into every part of the Cubbies program
Who implements it?
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Everyone involved in Cubbies, including
PARENTS.
More about Nurture
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Parent Nurture
What?-Get to know the Parents!
 Why?-Helps parents and leaders work as a team.
 When?-Parent VIP Nites (before beginning of the
year), Coming-in Time, Going-Home Time, special
events (Meet the Pastor Nite, Awards Night, Parent
Outings)
 Who?-All Cubbies Leaders.
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Total Time Teaching
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What – Teaching is a part of EVERY segment
of the Club Night.
Why – Because they can’t read, Cubbies learn
through their senses. Play, activities, songs.
When – During every club segment, and also at
home.(Bear Hug sections completed at home)
How – Just use the Cubbies materials.
Age-Appropriate Awards
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Non-competitive Award System
Learning is structured and coordinated
More clubbers will finish the book
 All clubbers working as a team
 Extra credit is available for the advanced clubbers
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Base-level lessons receive awards. Show
enthusiasm when clubbers earn these base-level
awards! This encourages ALL clubbers to do
well.
Four Stages of
Cubbies Leadership
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Cubbies Leaders
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Approved Leaders
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Also completed 1 year of service
Approved Workmen
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Completed certification test
Additional 4 years service, attended 3 Leadership
Conferences
Cubbies Trainer/Training Specialist
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Recommended by Awana Missionary to assist in Cubbies
Training
Cubbies Team Building Sessions
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Team meeting with Cubbies Director and
Leaders
Build cooperative team spirit
 Share plans
 Idea sharing, problem solving
 Supporting each other
 Communicate what God is doing in club
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Cubbies Meeting Schedule
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Coming-in Time
Story Time
Book Time
Play Time
Awards Time
Going Home Time
Coming-in Time
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The purpose of Coming in Time is to:
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During Coming-in Time, Leaders should:
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To provide a warm welcome to parents and clubbers
To focus the clubber on the weekly teaching aim
To set a positive tone for the meeting
Assist with activities, maintain order, show a positive attitude, help kids
focus on the teaching aim
To reinforce what Cubbies have learned at home:
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Open the handbook to current Bear Hug section
Ask them questions to help them understand what God is saying in the
Bear Hug
Use their answers to help them focus on what will be taught in Story
Time.
Story Time
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The objectives of story Time are to:
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During Story Time, Leaders should
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Focus on current week’s Bible Truth
Nurture understanding through a bible story
Reinforces the Bear Hug verse
Provide opportunities to respond positively through group praise
Sit with clubbers
Support the teacher.
How can a Leader be a good role model?
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Sing with the cubbies (Make a joyful NOISE)
Respond to questions clubbers may have
Be sensitive to what is happening around you.
Book Time
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During Book Time, Leaders help Cubbies review and
complete the Bear Hug
Book Time allows Cubbies to get to know and work
with one particular leader
Book Time Objectives:
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Refocus attention on Bible verse
Review and encourage a basic understanding of the verse
Work with the Cubbies to complete sections of handbooks
Book Time
Ways Leaders Participate
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Staying with your Book group at all times
Help establish and maintain order
Continuing Total Time Teaching
Helping Cubbies understand the basic meaning of the verse
Listening to children recite verses
Signing off any completed Bear Hugs or extra credit
Using clubber rotation to make sure all cubbies get to say a
section
Having kids who are finished reciting work on the Book Time
ActivitySheet
Explaining the Book Time Activity Sheet
Keeping Accurate Records
Book Time Steps
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Prayer
Bear Hug Review
Recite
Reinforce
Book Time Fun
Book Time Standards
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Standards for reciting verses:
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All Cubbies must hold to the same standard
Cubbies may have up to TWO helps
3yo Cubbies who CAN should recite the verse reference
Cubbies must complete Bear Hugs in order
Cubbies can only complete one Bear Hug per meeting.
Rotating through your Clubbers:
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Choose a clubber to begin
Have that clubber recite their verse. Sign them off
Rotate to the next clubber and repeat the process
Clubbers who have finished should do the Book Time Activity Sheets
Complete parts of the Activity with your clubbers
Book Time
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The three-hop method for memorizing
Hop 1 – Repeat the verse over and over to the child,
explaining what it means
 Hop 2 – Ask the child to repeat it to you several
times.
 Hop 3 – Show how the verse’s meaning applies to
their life.
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Book Time has a Cubbie Bear Buddy Rating of
Two.
Hey, It’s Play Time!
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Cubbie Play Time is non-competitive. The Awana Game Circle
is not a part of Play Time.
Leaders should keep control, help with the logistics, occasionally
demonstrate how to play the game, talk with the kids, and cheer
them on.
If a child refuses to play, allow the child to sit quietly and watch,
or help them take their turn. If they refuse week after week, talk
to the parent.
Play time consists of 2 parts:
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Active Play
Cool Down Play
Play Time has a Cubbie Bear Buddy rating of Three.
Awards
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The Club Secretary is responsible for keeping
accurate records
Attendance and records are kept on the Cubbie
Bear Buddy Weekly Progress Card.
This card records:
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Name of clubber, address, contact info, club attendance,
name of the handbook you are using this year,
advancement
Going Home Time
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As each parent arrives, you should:
Greet them
 Invite them to their child’s table
 Show them what their child has done
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If someone unfamiliar comes to pick up a child:
Phone that child’s contact numbers
 Parents MUST give permission in advance for
someone else to pick up their child.
 NEVER let a child go with someone unfamiliar.
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BREAKTIME!
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Cubbies Leaders may begin work on their test
Take 5
Stretch your legs.
SPARKS!!
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Club Schedule consists of:
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Uniform – Red Vest
Club handbooks:
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Game Time
Sparkle Time (Handbook Time)
Green Meadow Time (Council Time)
Sparks Gate Test (Entrance Booklet)
Skipper
Hiker
Climber
Extra Credit Work:
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Handbook Review Island
Handbook Workbook
Sparks – Game Time
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Uses Awana Game Circle
Low-intensity competition, a
cooldown period, low points
Game Director in charge
Line Leaders help keep order
All clubbers are encouraged
to participate
Never FORCE a child to
play in Game Time if they do
not want to. Instead, include
them by giving them a JOB –
helping set up, cheering, etc.
Sparks – Game Time
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4 color teams – Red, Yellow,
Green, Blue
Even number of K5, 1st, and
2nd Graders on each team for
fairness
Teams line up and play as
discussed before.
Some Sparky Games:
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Rabbit Hunt
Sparky Safari
Sparky Train
Sparky Crawl (kneepads)
Balloon Relay
Sparks A Rama
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Churches compete
against one another once
a year
Low-competition
Sparks play same games
as in gametime.
Gospel message is
presented to parents and
clubbers
Unbelievable FUN!
Sparkle Time
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Clubbers starting Sparks must begin with the Sparks Gate Test
Clubbers must then complete the Skipper Book (First Book
Method)
A clubber who starts Sparks in 1st or 2nd grade can choose to go
on to the next book, or earn the Review Island/Workbook
Sparks get up to TWO helps per section in the handbook
Sparks get ZERO helps when working on Review.
All clubbers can complete the Review Island and Workbook for
their current year.
Sparks can go back and complete books, reviews, and
workbooks for previous years.
Total Time Teaching applies to all segments of club, and all
Leaders.
Sparkle Time
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Each handbook consists of one rank path, then 4 red jewels and 4 green
jewels.
Red Jewels are Bible Drills (Bible Memorization)
Green Jewels are Crafts. Green Jewels may be earned at any time after the
Rank Path has been completed.
Blue Jewels are for Club Attendance. To get one a clubber cannot have more
than TWO UNEXCUSED absences in a quarter.
Green Jewels may be completed at home.
Sparks earn their vest and handbook after completion of the Sparks Gate
Test.
Sparks Earn the Rank Patch after completion of the Rank Path.
Sparks earn a Crown with their first jewel.
Rank Path and Red Jewels MUST be completed in order.
Parents may initial sections for 100 points each.
Green Meadow Time
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Schedule
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Begin with prayer
Worship Time (Action songs, worship songs)
Testimonials
Message
Invitation
Awards
Announcements
Leaders should sit with clubbers
The Director can assign Leaders to prepare and deliver the
message.
Green Meadow is the main teaching segment of Sparks.
All Leaders should be trained to lead a Sparkie to Christ.
Awards Time
Awards encourage Bible memorization and handbook achievements
Crown colors:
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Red Jewels go in bottom row
Green Jewels in top row
Blue Jewels in the middle row
Use the Jewel Tool!
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Bronze – Skipper
Silver – Hiker
Gold – Climber
It saves thumbs!
Sunday School Attendance Patch
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2 per year
No more than 2 UNEXCUSED absences
Sparks – Awards Ceremony
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End of Year ceremony
Parents attend
Book awards are awarded here
1st book award
 2nd book award
 Sparky Award – plaque and pin for 3 books.
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BREAKTIME!
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Take 5!
Truth & Training
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Meeting Consists of FIVE segments:
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Opening, Handbook Time, Game Time, Council
Time, Awards
Uniform – green polo shirt
Ages – 3rd- 6th grade
T & T – Handbook Time
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Begin Handbook Time with prayer
Leaders record attendance and advancement on permanent record cards.
Leaders use Rotation method to ensure all clubbers get a chance to pass
sections.
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Get all clubbers studying.
Choose a clubber to start
Record attendance, uniform, book, bible, SS Attendance, and Participation on the
record card.
Listen to up to 2 sections from that clubber. Make sure the clubber understands
the meaning of the passage. If the clubber has more to recite, come back after all
clubbers have had a chance to say sections.
Begin with the next clubber. Allow the previous clubber to work on crosswords,
coloring pages, find-a-words, or study a section. NO TALKING.
Award milestones are recorded on a nightly award sheet and turned in to the
Secretary at end of Handbook Time. Secretary gathers awards.
T&T – Handbook Time
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T&T Books are called, oddly enough, Book One – Book Four,
corresponding to the grade levels
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These books are part of the Ultimate Adventure Series
Each book is composed of 8 Bible drills
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Each book has two extra credit Segments,
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Silver Discovery
Gold Discovery
These are Activities and Missions Work.
Discovery and Challenge Sections MUST be done in order, EXCEPT:
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Book One & Two these are called Discoveries
Book Three and Four these are called Challenges
Sections concerning bringing a Visitor or Performing acts of Service
Silver and Gold sections
Clubbers may receive only TWO helps per section
Sections must be completed in ONE setting.
T&T - Game Time
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Highly competitive
Game Director in charge
Line Leaders:
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Assist Game Director
Line up team
Maintain order
Pick participants
Cheer for team
Ensure each clubber gets
to play
T&T – Game Time
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New Competitive Games
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Other Cool Games
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4-way Tug-o-war
Sprint Relay
Sprint Race
Marathon Relay
Marathon Race
3-legged race
Beanbag grab
Beanbag relay
Line Tag
Shipwreck
Theme Night Games
Awana Games
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Once a year all day Super Bash!
Same fun games as in game time!
Highly competitive event.
Churches around the area compete against each
other
Parents come and hear the gospel message
Volunteers are needed for Team Coach, Line
Judge, and general Staff person in order for
team to go.
Awana Store
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Clubbers in Sparks and T&T earn points toward Awana Store
Store happens once a quarter
Sections >>Points >> Awana Bucks >> Cool Stuff!
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Points are awarded for:
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Attendance – 100
Uniform – 100
Handbook Brought – 100
Bible Brought – 100
Participation – 100 (bringing stuffed animal, etc.)
Parents Initials – 100 (per section)
Bringing a visitor – 1000
Sections – 500 each
500 points = 1 Awana Buck!
Visitors get $3 spending money.
Prizes range from penny candy to sports bags and CD players
T&T – Council Time
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Schedule:
Prayer
 Worship
 Testimonies
 Message – 1 minute per year of age, + 3
 Invitation
 Counseling
 Awards
 Announcements
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T&T – Council Time
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Leaders sit with Clubbers
All leaders should be trained on how to lead a
clubber to Christ.
Any Leader can Deliver the message.
Always give an invitation.
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If any clubber feels the Lord talking to them, look
up at me. Those who looked up may go with X and
X to pray.
Leave time for counseling.
T&T Awards
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Upon completion of the first Discovery/Challenge, a clubber
gets an award badge and his/her first seal.
Awards must only be presented to clubbers in uniform.
Book Awards may only be presented at an End-of-Year Awards
Ceremony.
Book Awards:
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First Book Award – Ribbon
2nd Book Award – Excellence Trophy
3rd Book Award – 3rd Book Award Plaque
4th Book Award – Timothy Trophy
6th Book Award – Meritorious Trophy
10th Book Award – Citation Award
(The last two are for books in JV/Journey 24/7)