Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Bible Memory Game

This activity works best for children who are confident readers. I’ve used it with some kindergarten children, but they will struggle on longer verses.

After introducing the Bible memory verse, write it on the dry erase board. Have the children read the verse together. Then ask for a volunteer to read it aloud. This child is then allowed to erase one word from the verse. Call on another child to read the scripture as it was originally written. Then allow them to erase a word. Repeat this process as the children remove more and more of the verse.

This process makes the memory verse increasingly more difficult as the words are removed. It also keeps all the kids involved in the activity because they know their turn is coming.

After they gain confidence, you can speed things up by allowing them to erase two verses after each time they recite the verse. I try to include adult volunteers in this activity, the kids always enjoy learning together with the grown-ups. This Bible memory game will be a favorite. I only use it on occasion to keep it fun.

If the children struggle with the concept, you can replace each erased word with a blank line. This can help them remember where each word is missing. Alternately, you could replace key words with symbols or simple drawings.


Monday, January 10, 2011

Direction for Handbook Time

Need direction for handbook time? Running out of ideas?

Handbook time can make just as big an impact on our AWANA clubbers as Counsel Time. If you are looking for ideas to teach the kids, here are some documents from the Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama. They have a wonderful list of what you could teach your group.


Imagine if we could have the clubbers leave our program knowing even half of these things!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Creationism and Apologetics

The 7 Cs are one way to represent the history and future as described in Scripture. As we go through the year, we will be returning to the 7 Cs. Want to know more about them? Click here.

Here also is a page that gives background for each of our apologetics lessons during council time.

Read up so you can answer when those little eyes are staring up at you after asking tough questions. You know it will happen!

Old and New Testament Resources

This is a great website. It has 325 lessons about the Old and New Testaments with coloring pages, crossword puzzles, and fill-in-the-blank sections to review portions of Scripture.

Highly recommended!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Memorizing Scripture

Do your clubbers need help with their memorization? Share these ideas:

  • Say your verse after prayer at every meal.
  • Repeat the reference before and after each verse.
  • Practice your verse every day.
  • Learn what the verse means.
  • Read the verses immediately before and immediately after the memory verse.
  • Say the verse aloud as you memorize it.
  • Draw a picture of what the verse means.
  • Act the verse out like a skit.
  • Memorize the verse with a friend.
  • Say the verse to your parents.
  • Make up hand motions for the verse.
  • Make puzzle pieces out of the verse and put it together.

Teaching Children to Pray

One of the greatest things we can do for our AWANA clubbers is teach them to pray. One method that is easy for children (and adults!) to remember when praying to God is the acronym A.C.T.S.

  • A=Adoration (Praise): We are to Praise God for who He is.
  • C=Confession: Telling God what you have done wrong and asking Him to forgive you.
  • T=Thanksgiving: We give God thanks for all He has done for us and for all He has given to us.
  • S=Supplication: Petition and Intercession. Praying for yourself and praying for others.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

How to talk to children about Christ

Keep in mind:
  1. The Gospel is for everyone. Romans 10:13, Luke 2:10
  2. Jesus taught that children could believe, Matthew 18:1-6
  3. God’s desire is for children to be saved. Matthew 18:14
  4. The evangelism process for children should begin in infancy. 2 Timothy 3:15
  5. God does deal with hearts of children. Old and New Testament
  6. Experience illustrates that children can believe.
Guidelines
  1. Never assume anything.
  2. Children want to please the significant adults in their lives.
  3. They respond to praise.
  4. They are easily influenced.
  5. Help your child feel at ease
  6. Take ample time with your child.
  7. Do not rush.
  8. Present the gospel clearly on the child’s level.
  9. Ask Questions.
  10. Avoid common church phrases.
  11. Avoid excess emotionalism.
  12. Use some type of visual such as a gospel presentation booklet, tract or draw a picture/visual as you are answering questions and talking to your child about the Gospel.
  13. Just because a child asks questions does not mean he is ready to commit his life to Christ and trust in Him as his Lord and Savior. Always gently close discussions leaving the door open to present the gospel again or talk about the Gospel at a later date.
  14. If a child does have understanding of what the Gospel is and what following Jesus means and the child indicates that he is ready to repent and commit his life to Christ, allow the child to pray out loud in his or her own words.
  15. NEVER SAY THE PRAYER FOR THE CHILD! Even if you feel the child is ready to make a commitment to following Christ, do not pray for him!
Present the Gospel simply
  1. Any gospel presentation should include the character of God, the sinfulness of man, the sufficiency of Christ, the necessity of Faith, and the urgency of eternity.
  2. A child must understand the meaning of sin, that he has sinned, that he has sinned against God, that he is separated from God, that Jesus died to take the punishment for our sin, that He rose from the dead, that He is alive today!
  3. Gospel Presentations:
      1. Admit to God you are a sinner (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, 1 John 1:9). Repent: To Turn from your sin and turn to Christ (Acts 3:19).
      2. Believe that Jesus is God’s Son and that God sent Jesus to die on the cross to save people from their sin and from being separated from God. John 3:16, Romans 5:8, Acts 4:12, Acts 16:31, 1 Peter 3:18, John 14:6
      3. Confess Jesus as your Savior and Lord. Romans 10:9-10, 13
    • Roman Road Presentation:
      Who God is: Romans 1:20, Romans 11:33-36
      Who Man is: Romans 1:25, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23
      Who Christ is: Romans 1:1-4, Romans 8:3, Romans 8:31-32
      What Christ has done: Romans 3:22-26, Romans 5:8, Romans 6:23
      What you must do: Romans 10:9-13