Awana Leader Training

Equipping the saints to serve.

Schedule For Today 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 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

Your service as an Awana leader helps fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20)

What does AWANA Stand for?

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? 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: The Gospel Message Scripture Memory

What’s the Big Attraction?

Games! Ask most kids why they come to Awana,

and they will tell you it’s all about the fun games we play!

Awards! Every kid (adults too!) needs an ‘Atta-

boy’ from time to time, for the hard work they do.

Children Must Know Why they need to be saved What salvation brings That they must trust what Christ did

on the cross

The Club Meeting 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 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.

Junior Varsity – 7th-8th grade Varsity (Journey 24/7) – 9th-12th

grade

BREAKTIME! Be back in 5 minutes…

Leadership Structure Church Pastor

Responsible for all aspects of club Commander

Oversees 2 or more clubs Director

Hands-on management of Club Leader

A committed volunteer who gives time to work with Clubbers Secretary

Records advancement, issues uniforms and books and gathers awards for Awards Ceremony. Records points towards Awana Store

LIT – Leader In Training Needs to be Certified also. Works with kids at least 2 grades

younger. Game Director

Organizes Awana Games on the game circle, prepares games ahead of time, ensures fair play and FUN!

Leader Qualifications 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:

Encourage discipline Promote club unity Provides a place to display awards Allows clubbers to identify leaders

Action Steps for Awana Leaders:

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

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 Basic Training

BT Bar for any uniform BT Patch for casual shirt

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.

Discipline What Discipline IS:

To Disciple, to Teach, To Mold What Discipline is NOT:

Punishing, revenge, physical abuse, verbal abuse.

Positive Discipline: Verbal praise Positive points Special Recognition

Tools of Discipline Preparation

Keep the meeting moving along, clubbers do not have TIME to get bored and unruly.

Whistle – to start games 5 – count

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

Don’t take points away, look for ways to reward positive behavior. 3 – count

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!! 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 end-of-night. Individual points go towards Awana

Bucks to be used in the Awana Store.

The Path to Good Discipline

The Director is the primary disciplinarian

Stay on schedule! Plan thoroughly and prepare well Keep the meeting moving Meet clubbers’ needs

(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

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

It enhances discipline It develops a feeling of unity It provides a place to display awards It bonds Leaders and Clubbers

BREAKTIME!! Stretch your legs! Grab a drink Be back in 5!

Opening A proper Opening sets the stage for

Discipline for the rest of the night. Begin Opening with Five Count

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 Flag Ceremony

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 Divided into 3 segments:

Handbook Time (Sparkle Time) Game Time Council Time (Green Meadow)

General Info – Handbook Time

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 What is a SECTION?

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.

Handbook Time- Section Passing Standards

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.

(Exceptions to this will be discussed later) Sections must be completed in Handbook Time

or at Awana-accepted 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

Open with prayer Get each child working Listen to sections

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.

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 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.

What does a Game Director Do?

Plans and directs game time. 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 Give children who don’t WANT to play a JOB –

scorekeeper, team lap counter, beanbag monitor for tug-of-war, cheerleader.

Line Leader Duties 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 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 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 Prayer Worship - 5 minutes Testimony time – 5 minutes Message – 10 minutes Invitation

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!!! Stretch your legs! Be back in 15 minutes

Cubbies 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 A – NURTURE is a highly effective

teaching approach B – Total Time Teaching C – Age-appropriate Awards

Nurture What IS Nurture?

Learning continually by example and training

When and how is nurture applied? Built into every part of the Cubbies

program Who implements it?

Everyone involved in Cubbies, including PARENTS.

More about Nurture 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.

Total Time Teaching 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 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 Base-level lessons receive awards.

Show enthusiasm when clubbers earn these base-level awards! This encourages ALL clubbers to do well.

Four Stages ofCubbies Leadership

Cubbies Leaders Completed certification test

Approved Leaders Also completed 1 year of service

Approved Workmen Additional 4 years service, attended 3

Leadership Conferences Cubbies Trainer/Training Specialist

Recommended by Awana Missionary to assist in Cubbies Training

Cubbies Team Building Sessions

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

Cubbies Meeting Schedule

Coming-in Time Story Time Book Time Play Time Awards Time Going Home Time

Coming-in Time The purpose of Coming in Time is to:

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

During Coming-in Time, Leaders should: Assist with activities, maintain order, show a positive

attitude, help kids focus on the teaching aim To reinforce what Cubbies have learned at home:

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 The objectives of story Time are to:

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 During Story Time, Leaders should

Sit with clubbers Support the teacher.

How can a Leader be a good role model? Sing with the cubbies (Make a joyful NOISE) Respond to questions clubbers may have Be sensitive to what is happening around you.

Book Time 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:

Refocus attention on Bible verse Review and encourage a basic understanding

of the verse Work with the Cubbies to complete sections of

handbooks

Book TimeWays Leaders Participate

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 Prayer Bear Hug Review Recite Reinforce Book Time Fun

Book Time Standards Standards for reciting verses:

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: 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 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. Book Time has a Cubbie Bear Buddy

Rating of Two.

Hey, It’s Play Time! 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: Active Play Cool Down Play

Play Time has a Cubbie Bear Buddy rating of Three.

Awards 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: Name of clubber, address, contact info, club

attendance, name of the handbook you are using this year, advancement

Going Home Time As each parent arrives, you should:

Greet them Invite them to their child’s table Show them what their child has done

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.

BREAKTIME! Cubbies Leaders may begin work on

their test Take 5 Stretch your legs.

SPARKS!! Club Schedule consists of:

Game Time Sparkle Time (Handbook Time) Green Meadow Time (Council Time)

Uniform – Red Vest Club handbooks:

Sparks Gate Test (Entrance Booklet) Skipper Hiker Climber

Extra Credit Work: Handbook Review Island Handbook Workbook

Sparks – Game Time 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 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: Rabbit Hunt Sparky Safari Sparky Train Sparky Crawl

(kneepads) Balloon Relay

Sparks A Rama 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 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 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 Schedule

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

achievementsCrown colors:

Bronze – Skipper Silver – Hiker Gold – Climber

Red Jewels go in bottom row Green Jewels in top row Blue Jewels in the middle row Use the Jewel Tool!

It saves thumbs! Sunday School Attendance Patch

2 per year No more than 2 UNEXCUSED absences

Sparks – Awards Ceremony

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.

BREAKTIME! Take 5!

Truth & Training Meeting Consists of FIVE segments:

Opening, Handbook Time, Game Time, Council Time, Awards

Uniform – green polo shirt Ages – 3rd- 6th grade

T & T – Handbook Time 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. 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 T&T Books are called, oddly enough, Book One –

Book Four, corresponding to the grade levels These books are part of the Ultimate Adventure Series Each book is composed of 8 Bible drills

Book One & Two these are called Discoveries Book Three and Four these are called Challenges

Each book has two extra credit Segments, Silver Discovery Gold Discovery These are Activities and Missions Work.

Discovery and Challenge Sections MUST be done in order, EXCEPT:

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 Highly competitive Game Director in

charge Line Leaders:

Assist Game Director

Line up team Maintain order Pick participants Cheer for team Ensure each

clubber gets to play

T&T – Game Time New Competitive

Games 4-way Tug-o-war Sprint Relay Sprint Race Marathon Relay Marathon Race 3-legged race Beanbag grab Beanbag relay

Other Cool Games Line Tag Shipwreck

Theme Night Games

Awana Games 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 Clubbers in Sparks and T&T earn points toward Awana

Store Store happens once a quarter Sections >>Points >> Awana Bucks >> Cool Stuff!

Points are awarded for: 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 Schedule:

Prayer Worship Testimonies Message – 1 minute per year of age, + 3 Invitation Counseling Awards Announcements

T&T – Council Time 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.

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 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: 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)