Slideshow image
Have you ever been asked or asked yourself, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?”
That question, and so many like it, come because we live in a broken world. This week, Journey tackles the difficult topic of suffering. If we are being honest, we have all asked, “Why God… “ when it comes to suffering.  God in His infinite wisdom responds to that question throughout the Bible. Journey’s focus this week is through the Apostle Paul in the book of Romans.
 

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time 

are not worth comparing with the glory 

that is to be revealed to us.

Romans 8:18 ESV

 
This week’s Journey video is outstanding! It gives a beautiful illustration of what God does in our lives through suffering. Whether you are in the midst of suffering yourself, or know someone else who is, or you have ever asked or been asked that difficult question, this week’s Journey video is for every believer, regardless of age… even you. Check out this week’s video and gain a new appreciation for the Japanese art of Kintsugi. 
 
Share this video with the next generation in your family and talk about some of the beautiful golden threads in your life.  Prepare the next generation for the beauty that God will add as he repairs their lives through the suffering they will face and give them a tangible way answer those tough “why” questions.

 

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: Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)

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

Lesson T&T: Grace In Action 4.4 - Grace to be Forgive video, and clubbers should work through and complete section 4.4, pages 210-217. Parents sign off on page 217. Be sure to have your child say the review verse each week as well as the weekly memory verse. At the end of each unit, clubbers will have a review week where they will be required to say all the verses from that unit.

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 https://bethelsi.org/pages/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: Review of all Unit 4 Verses

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

Lesson Trek: His Story 3.8 - God Has a Plan to Rescue Us. Students should work through and complete section 3.8, pages 192-199. Parents sign off on page 199. There is no video for review weeks, but you can catch up on any videos you may have missed.

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: Romans 8:18 (ESV)

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

Lesson Journey: Disciples 6.3 - Persecution video, and students should complete section 6.4, pages 140-145.

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-6-4-suffering

 

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.

Awana
Awana