The AWANA Program at Tate Baptist Church

What Is AWANA All About?

AWANA Clubs International is an excellent Bible based program which is active all over the United States and in many foreign countries. The heart of AWANA is in the gospel message. AWANA strongly emphasizes memorizing and understanding Scripture while offering games and a variety of Bible related activities. The values and verses learned in AWANA help participants live Christ-honoring lives even at a young age.

The program is based upon two primary objectives:

1.   The Great Commission: Evangelism-Boys and girls hear the gospel of the grace of God and have the opportunity to accept Christ as their personal Savior. Reaching the families of these boys and girls is the primary goal and is accomplished through various activities.

2.     2.  The Great Commandment: Training Children and Leaders to Love Jesus by studying the Word of God. Children have regular Bible memorization, written Bible work, and sound Bible teaching. Younger Christians are encouraged to work alongside those who are "older" in the Lord.

While AWANA has many things to interest boys and girls, such as games and special activities, the emphasis is always upon Bible memory work. The handbooks contain an average of about 90 carefully selected verses which support the doctrinal truths being taught. The clubber who progresses through several club ranks hides in his heart hundreds of verses for future use as God brings them to his mind.

AWANA at Tate

AWANA is organized into age groups called "clubs". Each club has a name, handbooks and activities for that age.

3 & 4 year olds · CUBBIES:

This preschool program features Cubby Bear, a blue vest with accompanying awards and a zoo motif. Handbooks provide memory verses and teach basic Bible truths along with popular preschool concepts of colors, shapes, numbers and letters.

K, 1st, 2nd Grades · SPARKS:

This club features Sparky, a fun firefly character, who leads the children through age appropriate handbooks. Sparks have a red vest and accompanying awards and a nature motif. Sparks begin their weekly meeting in the Fellowship Hall with the Flag Ceremony.

3rd-6th Grades T-&-T Clubs

(Truth-N-Training Clubs):

These clubs include colorful uniforms and a space motif.  Four regular handbooks and two specialty books for high-achievers contain a multitude of Bible memorization and Bible-centered achievement activities. All T-&- T clubbers start in the Fellowship Hall with the Flag Ceremony.

How does a typical AWANA night work?

Weekly AWANA meetings are divided into four segments:

Flag Ceremony - begins at 5:30 in the Fellowship Hall. Cubbies do not attend the Flag Ceremony, but everyone else does.

Council Time- This group segment varies from week to week and includes songs, testimonies, Southern Baptist missions emphasis, stories, prayer time, guest speakers, a Bible message and award presentations.

Game Time- provides fun, develops cooperation, team spirit, good sportsmanship, and positive character qualities as teams compete. It features active, fun games that you won't find anywhere else.

Boys and girls participate on the unique AWANA game circle by age groups. AWANA Game Time is held each week so clubbers need to wear comfortable clothes for play.

Handbook Time - This informal, small group time provides an opportunity to challenge kids to accept Christ as their Savior and to grow in His Word. Its emphasis is on Scripture memory and careful study of God's Word. Leaders build strong relationships with' kids in their group and serve as godly role models.

Common AWANA Questions

1.  Isn't AWANA mostly a lot of games?

Actually Game Time is only 20 minutes of a night which lasts a total of 2 hours. The rest of the two hours are Handbook Time and Council Time. Although Game Time is the big draw and is lots of fun, it is only a portion of what the kids do on Sunday nights.

2.   2.  Do the Clubbers receive awards for learning God's Word?  Yes. They must meet the standard handbook requirements in their club and are rewarded for their hard work and commitment. These awards are placed on their uniform and represent their achievements.

3.  How is AWANA part of the church ministry?  AWANA works hand in hand promoting Sunday School and church attendance. In fact, clubbers must meet the requirement of attending two consecutive times in Sunday School to pass a section in their handbook. Another handbook section requirement is to bring a guest to AWANA. This brings a lot of unchurched kids to church.

4.  4.  Do 3 and 4 year old children really learn verses at that age?  Yes. They have a handbook written especially for their age in which the parents have to work with them. They do learn verses.

5.  Do the children learn missions in AWANA?

Missions education is a top priority at Tate. We have Mission Friends for Preschoolers & GA's & RA's for 1st thru 6th graders.  We study how missionaries spread the gospel in the U.S. as well as many other countries.

6.  Why are so many leaders needed in AWANA?  Leaders assist the clubbers all night in all segments, but are especially needed in Handbook Time to listen to memory work. We welcome anyone interested to come and observe on any AWANA night. This is truly how you will see and understand how awesome God works through this ministry.

Special thanks to Hopeful Baptist Church in Lake City, FL for their help in designing this page!