Family Discipleship

This is our fifth installment of Family Discipleship. We have heard from a few families how they are utilizing this guided discipleship tool. If you have not checked it out, we encourage you to take some time this week and watch some of the videos. As mentioned, both the Journey video and the Journey Leader videos are geared toward those in high school, but are great resources regardless of your age. This week the videos tackle what faith is and how we grow in our trust for and in God. The leader videos help you to guide others in conversations relating to faith.

This is a big week if you have T&T’ers. It is our first big review week, as we are combining sections 1.5 & 1.6. Kiddos will be saying Psalm 90:2 as well as all the previous verses for Unit 1. This where you will see how vital it is to review verses from previous weeks. However, remember this program can be tailored to your child’s needs. The appropriate T&T video can be viewed at anytime using the video link. You know your child better than anyone else, and this allows you to meet them where they are.

If you have not been able to pick up your materials just yet, you may still participate by watching the videos noted and working on the memory verse listed each week in the email. If you want any material for yourself or your child, please reply to this email for information.

Sparks (K - Grade 2)

Videos: https://www.awanaplus.com/sparks

Sparks work at their own pace, so you may select the appropriate video for your child each week at the above link. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page for additional resources. We are using the ESV book version. Once your child has completed their section, please report your child’s progress each week using our Sparks Reporting Tool http://bethelsi.org/sparks/. Incentives earned will be mailed to clubbers each Saturday. Sparks basically receive jewels after every 4 sections once Rank is completed. You may find additional information on what is required to complete a section at the end of this email.

T&T (Grades 3-6)

Weekly Memory Verse: Psalm 90:2 and all verses from Unit 1 (ESV)

Video: https://www.awanaplus.com/tandt

Lesson T&T: Grace In Action 1.5 God Is Eternal & 1.6 God is... Review video and clubbers should work through and complete section 1.5, pages 44-51, and section 1.6, pages 52-55. Parents sign off on page 51 & 55. This is a big week! We find that for our kids it is easier to combine the last two sections of a unit together as the last section is a review of all verses from the unit. If it is easier for you to separate them, do so. The is an opportunity for you to tailor things to your child. You can always access the video for the lesson your child is on at the link above.

Parent Tools

Be sure to check out the parent pages tab and scroll past the videos for additional resources. We are using the ESV book version. Once your child has completed their section, please report your child’s progress each week using our T&T Reporting Tool http://bethelsi.org/tandt/. Incentives earned will be mailed to clubbers each Saturday. T&T basically receive patches after every 4 sections completed. You may find additional information on what is required to complete a section at the end of this email.

Trek (Grades 7-8)

Trek middle schoolers complete Bible studies and join in powerful small group conversations to answer important Spiritual questions. Wrestling with "Who am I?", "Why am I here?" and "Who's with me?" help students own their faith and discover what they believe.

Weekly Memory Verse: Mark 10:6 (ESV)

Video: https://www.awanaplus.com/trek

Lesson Trek: His Story 1.5 Male and Female - I am Not Alone video, and students should work through and complete section 1.5, pages 36-43. Parents sign off on page 43.

Parent Tools:

Be sure to check out the parent pages tab - https://awanaym.org/assets/trek-1/Trek%201%20Parent%20Guides%20ESV.pdf or scroll past the videos for additional resources.

Journey (High School & Beyond)

Journey empowers high school students to live with godly perspective and evident faith. Each year students will go through Bible studies, memory verses, and great discussions on how to live out their faith in the world around them.   

Weekly Memory Verse: Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)

Video: https://awanaym.org/journey-curriculum/disciples/journey-disciples-faith

Lesson Journey: Disciples 2.1 - Faith video, and students should complete section 2.1, pages 26-31.

Parent Tools:

Be sure to check out the parent’s guide at- https://awanaym.org/assets/journey-disciples/Disciples%20Parent%20Guide%20ESV.pdf

Leader Videos:https://awanaym.org/journey-curriculum/disciples/leader-instruction-lesson-01-faith

Review of what is required to complete a section:

Many of you may be asking, “What has to happen for a section to be signed off and reported?” Well, I am glad you asked!!

It’s pretty simple. Whether your clubber is in Sparks or T&T, they should begin each section with the scripture reference, say the specific verse or verses, and conclude with the scripture reference again. Each clubber is allowed 2 helps per section. These two helps may be anywhere from 1 to 3 words to help the child along at two different points throughout the section. 

Now, parents, don’t let your kids fool you! Many of our clubbers get through verses without any helps whatsoever.  In fact, I have to remind leaders regularly that clubbers are afforded two helps and every time I do, another leader says, “I always forget that!” The purpose of the helps are so clubbers don’t get stuck in the same place. It’s not so clubbers can rush through to the next verse.  We want them to learn the verses and be able to recall them. But we also want to provide grace and encouragement. Our goal is that scripture is impressed on the heart of clubbers!

Sparkies are only required to say verses to complete a section, with a few exceptions, and directions are given in their books. Sparkies should also work in order through their books.

T&T on the other hand must complete the Start Here and Explore Section (questions) in addition to memorizing the section and the Review Section to complete a section. Please note that the Silver and Gold sections are extra credit once they complete all their sections. In order to complete the book, all Start Here, Explore, Memorize, and Review Sections must be completed. T&T clubbers are not required to complete Extra Credit Silver and Gold to complete the book. If your clubber has not completed all units up to 3.8, I would suggest they focus on getting caught up before working on Extra Credit.

As you are working with your clubbers on verses many of you will learn the verses as well. You may simply initial next to your signature and denote it on the reporting tool in order for your clubber will receive 5 additional Awana bucks.  TO ANSWER THE QUESTION ALL YOUR CLUBBERS ARE ASKING... YES!!! We will have the Awana Store and Awards Celebration at some point!!! 

For Trek and Journey we will be checking in with those working through books and have periodic incentives.