March 7, 2019 | Kristin Thompson ​

​The gospel is at the very heart of the Awana ministry. We’re committed to proclaiming and living out the gospel with clarity and urgency. If you are reading this, you probably are too!

Sometimes, however, it can be awkward or uncomfortable to talk about our faith, especially when we’re talking to children. Maybe you’ve felt that way out of nervousness or a concern that you’ll be asked a question that you can’t answer. That’s okay!

Here are some quick things to keep in mind as you think about sharing the gospel with kids anytime.

Connect the Gospel to Scripture.
Using truth from the Bible as you share the gospel will reinforce to kids that these big ideas are God’s message in the Bible that He shares with us. What follows is one way you can summarize the gospel and point to Scripture.

The Gospel Is About Two Characters.
​God
Don’t assume that kids understand who God is. They likely hear a lot of mixed messages about this in their world. Explain that God is both loving (John 3:16) and holy (Revelation 4:8b).
People
Make sure kids understand that people aren’t good when left to themselves. The reality is that we all are sinners (Romans 3:23), having disobeyed the right things we should have done, and that sin is bad and deserves death (Romans 6:23).

The Gospel is About Two Actions.

Christ’s Action On The Cross
God’s action, as a result of both of our characters, is that He sent Christ to die for our sins on the cross (Romans 5:8).

Our Action To Trust
Help kids understand that our one and only action for salvation is to trust in Christ (Acts 16:31). The rest all flows from this.

Keep to the Gospel’s Core: Christ’s Death and Resurrection.
We’ve found that the core of the gospel is best summarized by 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, where it lays out that Christ died for our sins, defeated death, and rose again—that’s the core of the gospel. Kids have a million questions about other things too, but if you can keep them focused on this, you’re on the right track.

Use a Visual to Help.
One tool that we use at Awana to use Scripture to share the gospel is the Gospel Wheel. It’s just a visual way to hit on these areas of importance in sharing the good news about Jesus. This image is one you can draw as you explain the gospel to kids, and that can help hold their attention better too! 

Remember to Connect the Gospel Personally.
Kids are watching you, and they will really pay attention when you share a bit about your own story too! What’s a meaningful verse for you regarding the gospel? Feel free to incorporate that as well. When did you trust Christ, and how has this decision made a difference in your life? Kids want to know!

Celebrate Decisions for Christ.
​The choice to trust Christ for salvation is a big deal in the life of a child. When a kid connects to this and makes a decision to trust Him, celebrate with him or her and help explain the next steps on their faith journey. For kids who have made this decision previously, make sure to reinforce that their discipleship process is just as exciting as they grow in their faith!

https://www.awana.org/2019/03/07/simple-tips-sharing-gospel-kids/

Thanks for all who were able to make it to the Awana Volunteer Team Meeting last night!  If you weren't able to attend, I've included some of the major highlights.

​1.Share the Gospel with Kids and Parents
2.Attendance: As we get back into the swing of Awana, we want to keep growing our club so we continue to reach more and more kids with the Gospel of Christ.

3.Family:
Increased outreach/communication with parents

• Private Facebook Group
• Email newsletters
• Breeze Text/Email reminders
• Leader Communication

 
4.Consistent Awana Team involvement
Regular/committed workers
Engaged & Joyful
On-time arrival

Awana Team Leads: Scott, Jason, Kathleen, Jason & Emily
5/6 Grade: Luke Moulton
3/4 Grade: Scott & Kathleen
K-2 Grade: Emily Karlsson
Nursery/PreK (Open only to Awana Workers): TBD? 
Game Guy: Sam Melin
Administrative: Emily & Whitney
Front Door: Justin Asher
Kitchen Team: Kathleen & Bernadette
Small Group Leaders (Listeners): To be filled in.

If you see an area where you feel called to serve in, please email awana@rushcitychurch.org.

​Sept 22 – Kick-Off
Oct 27 – Chili & Pumpkins
Dec 22 – Carols & Cookies
Jan 5 – Pizza & Bowling
April 13 – Easter Dinner
May 25 – Grand Prix/Float-a-Boat

5:00 Team/HS Student Dinner

• This weekly meal is available to all Awana workers and their families and High School Youth Group Students.
• This is one less thing to manage on the busyness of Wednesday Nights, we can Fellowship as a Team, and Fellowship with the students

5:45 Team Meeting in Sanctuary

• This meeting is required for ALL Awana volunteers so we can work through logistics for the night and spend time in prayer before the kids arrive!

5:45 Nursery Available

• We will be staffing the Nursery beginning at 5:45 for the kids of Awana volunteers.  During the night, the Nursery will transition into the Cubbies curriculum, but again is only for the kids of Awana Volunteers.

6:00 Drop-Off Begins
6:15 Opening in Sanctuary
6:25 Group Session 1

• Spark's Handbook
• 3/4 Game Time
• 5/6 Lesson

6:55 Group Session 2

• Sparks Game Time
• 3/4 Lesson
• 5/6 Handbook

7:25 Group Session 3

• Sparks Lesson
• 3/4 Handbook
• 5/6 Game Time

7:55 Closing in Sanctuary
8:00 Pick-Up Begins

• We will be using the school model to Pick-Up Students
• Parents stay in their cars and display a name sign.

8:30 End

Please check in with Jason to see if you need to finish the training or renew.
We will be having a training session after church 11:15-2:15 on August 29th.