6 ways to get your clubbers thinking about Easter

For Christians, Easter is the most important holiday of the year. Sure, Christmas is important because of the celebration of Jesus’s birth, but if Christ didn’t rise again, then Christmas and Christianity itself would be pointless. Jesus’s resurrection is the crowning moment on a sinless life that sets Him apart from every other person on Earth. If He had stayed dead, then He would have been just like us spending eternity paying our debt of separation from God because of our sin, as per Romans 6:23. Instead, by rising again, Jesus proved that our debt was paid in full, and He made new eternal life with God possible. So with that in mind, here are six ways to help your students celebrate Easter and its significance.

1. Have a “Christmas in Spring” theme night and tie Christmas to Easter

2. Share “The Wordless Book” using jelly beans. Bring extra beans for snacking — and enough for the kids to snack, too

3. Host a “Walk With Jesus” night during club night and have clubbers invite their friends and families. Let them count anyone they bring for the “Bring a Friend” section in their handbooks

4. Replace pins, beanbags, and batons with Easter baskets, plastic eggs, and fake flowers

5. Make a scavenger hunt using Resurrection Eggs (instructions here)

6. Host a “Good News Basket” drive by having the kids bring in stuff to make gift baskets for less fortunate kids. Examples of items include small toys or stuffed animals, new kid-sized clothing items, kid’s books, and of course, candy. Make sure to include some presentation of the Good News in your Good News Baskets, such as a child-focused tract or a salvation bracelet with an explanation card.

What are some things you do to bring Easter into your club?

For more information about Awana, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

Super games for standard equipment: Beanbags

The second installment in our list of new ways to use standard Awana game equipment takes a look at beanbags. Awana beanbags come in five designs: the four Awana colors and a black-and-white stripe pattern. They’re the perfect size for balancing on one’s head or holding in one’s hand to throw. Here’s a couple of beanbag games to help clubbers perfect their aim.

Game 1: Greed

Materials needed:

• 1 player per team
• 1 beanbag per team
• 1 small basket or bucket per team
• Center pin
• Game Square

Place the baskets at the intersections of the diagonals and the circle. Players start at their colored diagonals. At the whistle, players run around the circle once. When they return to their colored diagonals, they can either choose to drop the beanbag into their basket for 100 points, or throw the beanbag at the center pin, getting 300 points if they knock it down, or no points if they miss. Players get only one throw, and they must decide between the basket and the center pin within 10 seconds of completing their lap.

Game 2: Overthrow Relay

Materials Needed:

• Whole teams
• 1 beanbag per team
• Color lines

Players begin lined up on their color lines tallest to shortest. The shortest player starts with the beanbag. At the whistle, the shortest player tosses the beanbag over his team to the tallest player. When the tallest player catches the beanbag, she runs to the end of the line where the shortest player is. She then tosses the beanbag over the team to the second-tallest player, who runs to the end of the line and tosses over the team to the third-tallest, and so on. First team to have all players back in their starting positions wins. Players not throwing or catching may (and probably should) duck.

For more information about Awana, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

5 ways to encourage clubbers to finish their books

Clubbers who complete their books can squirt a candle that
 a leader is holding.

Many Awana clubs are either nearing or entering the last quarter of their club year. This means it is time to more actively encourage clubbers to complete their books. Here are five ideas you can use. Each of these reward ideas works best when implemented or advertised several weeks before the end of club.

With any of the ideas below, please bear in mind that we would prefer to have the clubbers understand the verses and not finish the book rather than finish the book and not understand the verses. Also, leaders should always have the option to not participate in any given activity. Do you have a favorite way to encourage clubbers to finish their books? Share in the comments!

1. Candy Jar Guesses

What you need: 1 jar; enough candy to fill the jar; method of tracking clubbers’ names and guesses.
Prep: Count each piece of candy as you put it in the jar.
How it works: Every time a clubber passes two sections, he gets to guess how many candies are in the jar. On the last club night, give the candy to the child whose guess was the closest (you may want to keep the jar for next year).
Alternative: Have a different jar and candy for each age-bracket (Sparks, T&T, etc.)

2. Drawing

What you need: big-ticket, gender-neutral prize (e.g. scooter, giant Star-Wars Lego kit); slips of paper for recording names
How it works: Every time a clubber passes two sections, she gets her name in the drawing. On the last club night, draw a name.
Alternatives: Have more than one prize, have a drawing for each age bracket

3. Squirt the Candle

What you need: willing leaders; several stick candles; a lighter; either squirt guns or spray bottles; water; plastic trash bags with head-holes.
Prep: Fill the squirt guns or spray bottles with water. You may designate a runner to refill the squirt items.
How it works: On the last club night, clubbers who finished their books get the chance to try and squirt out the flame on a candle. The catch: leaders hold the candle. Call up the same number of participants as leaders. Give each participant a squirting device and have them stand about five feet from the leaders. Instruct the kids to aim at the candle flames and squirt until the flames go out. Relight the candles and call up the next group of participants. Have leaders hold the candle by the base directly in front of them. Leaders may drape the plastic bags over their upper body, and they may also shield their eyes.

4. Pie the Leader

What you need: willing leaders; either a grassy area or an area covered by a sheet of plastic; empty pie tins; several tubs or cans of whipped cream; plastic trash bags with head holes; towels.
Prep: Fill each pie tin with whipped cream. Have leaders sit or kneel on the grass or plastic sheet, as the whipped cream my drip. Have leaders slip on their plastic bags, covering their upper body and arms.
How it works: On the last club night, clubbers who finished their books get to pie a leader in the face. Call up the same number of participants as you have leaders. Give each participant a whipped-cream-filled tin and have them stand directly in front of the leaders. Instruct kids to gently push the cream onto the leader’s faces—no slamming or throwing, as we don’t want broken noses. Once participants have emptied their tins, call up the next group. At the end, let leaders wipe off excess cream.

5. Party Privileges

What you need: Year-end party with food (e.g. pizza or ice-cream sundae makings, etc.)
Prep: Arrange food buffet style.
How it works: Clubbers who finished their books go first in line. There could also be a book-finishers-only dessert or ice-cream toping.

*With any activity using food, please be conscious of the allergies of the participants and the possibility of staining clothes or carpets.

For more information about Awana, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

Super games for standard equipment: Pins

Some clubs don’t have a big enough budget to purchase unusual game equipment. Other clubs may not have space to store more than just the standard game equipment kit from Awana. And sometimes, clubs just like using familiar equipment to try something different. In such cases, game directors have to think outside the Awana Game Box and come up with new ways to use basic equipment. Here are a couple games using Awana pins.

Game One: Pin-up

Materials Needed:

• 1 player per team
• 4 circle pins
• Scoring pin and beanbag, or 4 scoring pins
• Game Circle

Play begins with circle pins laying on their sides where their matching colored diagonals intersect the circle. Players start at their team’s color diagonals. At the whistle, players run one lap around the circle. When they reach their colored pins, they sit down and use only their feet and legs to stand the pin up. For Sparks, once a player’s pin stays standing, the player runs in to grab the scoring pin for first or the beanbag for second. In T&T, Trek, and Journey, the first player to knock over his or her scoring pin with his or her hand wins. Players may only use their feet and legs to stand the pin upright.

Game Two: Pin Defender

Materials Needed:

• 1 player per team
• Whole teams
• 4 pins
• 2-4 foam balls
• Game Square

Begin by placing a pin in each team’s small triangle in the center of the Game Square. One player from each team comes to the center and either straddles or stands in front of his or her team’s pin facing the circle. The remaining players stand outside the circle. At the whistle, players on the circle throw the balls and try to knock over an opponent’s pin. Players in the middle defend their teams’ pin. When a pin is knocked over, the player who was defending said pin returns to his or her color line. Last team with their pin standing wins. Players in the center may not leave their small triangle unless their pin is knocked down. If a player accidentally knocks over his or her own pin, he or she is out.

For more information about Awana, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

Unusual Game Equipment Spotlight: Hula-Hoops

It’s a new year, which means new chances to expand your game-equipment arsenal. And with winter still several weeks from being over, maybe adding hula-hoops can bring slight relief by inspiring thoughts of the tropics. Here are a couple games to start your imagination. Have any other hula-hoop games? Share them in the comments!

Game One: Three’s a Crowd

Materials Needed:

• 3 players per team
• 1 hula-hoop per team
• 4 circle pins
• Scoring pin and beanbag, or 4 scoring pins
• Game Square

Players begin at their color teams’ diagonals. Trios stand inside their team’s hula hoops, holding the hoops at their waist. At the whistle, trios must work together to race around the Game Circle and cross their colored diagonals without leaving their hula-hoops or knocking over circle pins. Sparks must run one lap, and the first team to grab the scoring pin wins while the team to grab the beanbag gets second. T&T, Trek, and Journey clubbers must run two laps, and the first team to knock over their scoring pin with their hands wins. All three players from each team must be holding the hula-hoop as they carry it around the circle.

Game Two: Hoop Hop

Materials Needed:

• 1 player per team
• 1 hula-hoop per team
• Game Square or other flat race area

Before playing, move two teams to the sides, creating an alley through the Game Square and leaving two color lines empty. Designate one empty color line as the starting line and the other as the finish line. Players start by standing in their hula-hoops behind the starting line. At the whistle, players must lift the hula hoop up over their bodies. Once the hoops are over their heads, players toss the hoops out in front of their feet. Players then jump with feet together into the hoops and lift them up over their bodies before tossing again. Players lift, toss, and jump until crossing the finish line. First player to successfully jump into her hoop across the finish line wins. Players must successfully complete the jumps to continue forward. For Sparks, players who miss a jump (i.e. toss the hoop too far in front to successfully jump with feet together) must retrieve their hoops and try the toss again. For T&T, Trek, and Journey, players who miss a jump must go back to the starting line and start over.

For more information about Awana, visit the Awana Homepage.

To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

Sometimes a candy cane is just a candy cane

“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” – Acts 17:11

In November, I was looking around on Pinterest for a simple object lesson to teach my Sparks about being thankful. I found one on sundaychidrensfocus.com that used a donut and a rhyme coined by an unknown author, “As you go through life, make this your goal: look at the donut and not at the hole.” The premise was that we should be thankful for what we have — the donut — and not be upset by what we don’t have — the hole.

The lesson was a hit, and now whenever the kids see a donut, they can be reminded of the Biblical truth of gratitude. Now, does that mean the creator of donuts built them specifically to remind people to be thankful for what they have? Unlikely. It makes more sense that many years after donuts were made, someone was eating a donut and thought, “hey, that’s a neat idea. I can use this donut to help people understand gratitude.”

Unfortunately, especially around Christmas, many Christians become confused when meanings are given to objects, and then these meanings are widely shared without question as the historical reason for the existence of the object. It’s like reading somewhere that donuts were created specifically to teach others about gratitude, and just agreeing with it. Or taking it the next step, presenting this donut origin story as historical fact to others.

For a more common Christmas example, consider the origin story of the candy cane — or rather, consider all three stories. Yes, there are three, and none of them have strong historical evidence. In fact, one story completely contradicts history by stating that it was a secret symbol to help oppressed Christians in Europe during a time where Europe was predominantly Christian.

Another story says that in the 1670's, a nameless choirmaster asked a nameless candy maker to create a treat to be given to the choirboys to help keep them quiet during the church’s Christmas service. But the candy needed to be a teaching tool as well so the parents would let the choirmaster give the candy to the kids. The problem with this story is that there is no documentation to support it, and candy canes aren’t referenced by name or associated with Christmas until somewhere in the 19th century, nearly 200 years after the story is said to have happened.

The third story states that a nameless candy maker in Indiana wanted to make it with each element having a Christian meaning, complete as a hard, white cane with three small red stripes and one large red stripe, and that through time, the meaning was lost. The problem with this story is that it also lacks historical documentation. At minimum, the candy cane was pure white when Americans started using it in the 1800's, and stripes weren’t added until the early 20th century.

Does that mean that candy canes can’t be used to remind others about why we as Christians celebrate Christmas? No. In fact, I plan to share the story of God’s gift of eternal life to my Sparks by using candy canes this week. What this does mean is that we should check our facts before sharing stories like the “Origin of the Candy Cane.” And this isn’t limited to just object history and meaning. In Acts 17:10-11, Paul and Silas commended the Jews of Berea for double-checking what the two were saying. “Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”

We want to teach our kids the truth, both Biblical truth and our own post-Biblical history. But to teach it, we have to research it on our own to verify that it is indeed true. And while we can use objects like candy canes and donuts to help children and youth remember God’s gifts and plans for us, sometimes a candy cane is just a candy cane, and sometimes a donut is just a donut.

Games for the giving season

I love the Christmas season with all its giving. I love giving physical presents. I love giving time to family and friends by caroling, attending a Christmas Eve church service, or simply being together. Most of all, I love reflecting on how God gave the ultimate Gift of eternal life by sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sins and rise again.

Here are two games to bring the giving spirit into your club night. Have any other giving or Christmas games? Share in the comments!

Game One: Giveaway

Materials Needed:

• 1 player per team 
• 1 hula-hoop per team 
• 5 miscellaneous items per team, each item must be small enough or light enough for a child to carry with one hand 
• Stopwatch or other time-keeping device 
• Game Square 

Place each player's hula-hoop where the player's team's color diagonal intersects the white circle, and each player's five items inside their respective hula-hoops. Have players stand up straight with their hands behind their backs next to their hoops. At the whistle, players must pick up items from their hoops and “give” them to the other players by placing them in an opposing player's hoop. The first player to successfully empty his hula-hoop, or after 30 seconds, the player with the least number of items in his hoop, wins. Players may only carry one item in each hand, meaning two items total per trip. Players must set items in the hoops—no tossing. If a player still has items in his hands when the whistle blows after 30 seconds, those items are included in his own count.

Game Two: Wrapping Relay

Materials Needed:

• Whole teams 
• 1 small box per team 
• 1 piece of pre-cut wrapping paper per player. Pieces must be big enough to initially cover the box 
• 1 roll of masking or scotch tape per team  
• Game Square 
• Optional: enough candy or trinkets in each box for all team members

Pre-game setup: Cut enough sheets of wrapping paper for each player to have at least one. Put candy or trinkets in the boxes and close the boxes. 

Start with the sealed boxes in each team’s small triangle in the center of the Game Square, along with a stack of wrapping paper pieces and tape. Have players spread out along the white circle between their colored diagonal and the colored diagonal immediately clockwise. At the whistle, player 1 (player furthest right on each team) runs in, grabs a piece of wrapping paper and wraps the box as quickly as possible. When finished, player 1 runs back to his place in line and tags player 2 (immediately left of player 1). Player 2 runs in, grabs another piece of wrapping paper and wraps the box. Play continues until the last player finishes wrapping the box. First team whose last player holds the completely wrapped box over her head wins. Wrapping does not have to be neat. Leaders may need to help Sparks wrap the boxes. If using candy or trinkets, at the end of the game, have all the teams unwrap and open their boxes. Let each clubber have a candy or trinket.

Option: After all the boxes are wrapped, have teams return to their lines, leaving the boxes in the middle. At the whistle, have a predetermined player race to unwrap the multiple layers of paper using only one hand. First player to completely unwrap the package and hold it up wins. Hand out the candy or trinkets to all the clubbers.

*With any food game, please be conscious of the allergies of the participants and the possibility of staining clothes or carpets.

For more information about Awana, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

7 ways to get your clubbers thinking about Thanksgiving

1. Replace pins, beanbags, and batons with pumpkins, apples, and Indian corn

2. Play some harvest or Thanksgiving-themed games (here are some ideas)

3. Have a Pilgrims and Indians theme night

4. Hold a canned food drive for those who can’t afford a Thanksgiving meal

5. Teach a Large Group lesson on the Fruit of the Spirit using a cornucopia as a visual

6. Read “Sparky Shines His Light” by Jack Eggar

7. Have clubbers write what they’re thankful for on feather-shaped pieces of paper, then stick the paper onto a turkey wall decoration

What are some things you do to bring fall and Thanksgiving into your club?

For more information about Awana, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

Unusual Game Equipment Spotlight: Pumpkins

Pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere! Pumpkin decorations, pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice lattes, muffins, and cookies, and pumpkin-scented candles. Here are a couple games to bring these seasonal squashes into your Game Time. Have any other pumpkin games? Share them in the comments!

Game One: Pumpkin Partners

Materials Needed:

• 2 players per team
• 1 medium-sized pumpkin per team (players must be able to lift it together)
• 4 circle pins
• Scoring pin and beanbag, or 4 scoring pins
• Game Circle

Players start by holding their pumpkin between them at their color teams’ diagonals. At the whistle, all pairs must work together to carry their pumpkin around the Game Circle and cross their colored diagonals. Once a pair crosses their diagonal, they gently set the pumpkin down and run in to the middle. Sparks must run one lap, and the first team to grab the scoring pin wins while the team to grab the beanbag gets second. T&T, Trek, and Journey clubbers must run two laps, and the first team to knock over their scoring pin with their hands wins. Both players must be touching the pumpkin as they carry it around the circle.

Game Two: Pumpkin Bowling

Materials Needed:

• 1 player per team
• 1 medium-sized pumpkin per team
• 4 circle pins
• Scoring pin
• Game Circle

Players start at their color teams’ diagonals. At the whistle, players carry their pumpkins around the outside of the circle pins to the bowling zone (the space between their colored diagonal and the colored diagonal immediately clockwise). When players enter their bowling zone, they try and knock down the scoring pin in the center of the circle by rolling their pumpkin from outside the white circle toward the middle. First team to knock down the scoring pin wins. Players must stay outside the white circle when bowling, but may bowl from anywhere along the circle in their bowling zone. If players miss, they must go get their pumpkin and return to their bowling zone before bowling again.

*With any food game, please be conscious of the allergies of the participants and the possibility of staining clothes or carpets.

For more information about Awana, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

A little oil and trust

Scripture: Acts 16:31, 2 Kings 4:1-7
Materials needed: Bottle of oil

Have clubbers look up Acts 16:31: “So they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.’” Have a clubber read it, then repeat Acts 16:31b a couple times, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (this is a Sparks memory verse).

Pull out the bottle of oil and show the kids. Place it where they can see it through the lesson.

Ask Clubbers:
What do we normally use oil for?
- Baking (cooking)

Tell Clubbers:
Raise your hand if you’ve ever helped your mom or dad bake cookies. Yum! Like us, people in Bible times used oil for baking and cooking.

They also used oil for other things, like lighting their homes after dark. You see, they didn’t have electricity, so they would pour oil into a special container and light it, much like a candle.

Another common use of oil was personal cleaning. Oil was used in soap and as a perfume. If you can’t tell, oil was important to people in Bible times.

Now I want to tell you a story in 2 Kings about a woman. This woman had two sons and was married to a prophet (a man who told people things that God said). Every day, the prophet worked hard to earn enough money to pay what he owed and take care of his family. But one day, the man died.

Without her husband working, the woman had no money to pay off what they owed. To make things worse, the person she owed was coming soon to get his money. If she didn’t have the money to give him, then he would take her two sons and make them his slaves!

Ask Clubbers:
How do you think the woman felt?
- Allow responses. Examples: Scared, worried, afraid

Tell Clubbers:
It just so happened that another of God’s prophets, Elisha, was in town. Elisha had known the woman’s dead husband, so the woman came to Elisha for help. This is what Elisha told her to do.

First, he asked her what she had in her house.

Ask Clubbers:
What do you think she had?
- Oil

Tell Clubbers:
That’s right. In fact, that was the only thing she had left — one single jar of oil.

In 2 Kings 4:3-4, Elisha gave her instructions for using her oil. He told her (in NIV):

“Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.”

Ask Clubbers:
How many jars of oil did the woman say she had?
- One

Tell Clubbers:
And Elisha’s telling her to fill up as many jars as she can get with that one jar of oil.

Ask Clubbers:

How many of you would think Elisha was crazy? How many would think, “That will work!”

Tell Clubbers:
Well, the woman decided to try, trusting that God would provide. So she gathered the jars, went into the house with her sons, and started pouring. Soon a jar was full, and there was still some oil left in her original jar, so she asked her sons, “bring me another.” Then that jar filled. It was working! “Bring me another!” “Another!” She kept pouring and pouring as her sons kept bringing empty jars until finally, “Bring me another!”

“There are no more!”

Every jar in her house was filled with oil. Elisha then told her to sell the oil and use the money to pay their debt, then she and her sons could live on what was left. Because she trusted God and followed His instructions through Elisha, she and her two sons were saved.

Maybe there’s someone here tonight who has never trusted Jesus before. If that’s you, then you’re just like the woman with no money, and the collector’s coming. You’re stuck with a debt of sin (anything you think, say, or do that breaks God’s laws). You’re stuck with a debt of sin, and there’s nothing you can do on your own to pay it off. Without God, her price would have been her sons. Without Jesus, the price of your sin is death — separation from God forever.

But just like God provided oil for the woman to give her family enough to live on, He also provided His Son Jesus Christ to give you life. Just like the oil took the place of her sons, Jesus Christ died in our place for our sins. All you have to do is trust that He paid your debt. I encourage you to talk to one of your leaders, your pastor, your parents, or your friends here at club about trusting Jesus.

For those here tonight who have already trusted Jesus, trusting God doesn’t stop after you’re saved from sin. Even after we’re saved, sometimes we face things that make us afraid, just like the woman with the oil. She was afraid of losing her two sons.

Raise your hand if there’s something you’re afraid of, like spiders, or the dark, or going to a new school. I bet we’re all afraid of something.

But when the woman trusted the Lord and followed His instructions, God took care of her. And just like we read in Acts 16:31, when we “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,” He will take care of us, too.

A Prayer Request for Kidmin Volunteers

Our church has gone through a difficult time. We are recovering, but there are still many areas in need of prayers and aid, especially in children’s ministry. We’ve lost several of our volunteers for both Sunday school and Awana. This past week, Truth & Training had two co-directors, one ill leader, and one elderly leader in a wheelchair to work with 20 clubbers. In Sparks, I’m fairing somewhat better, with six leaders plus myself for 25-27 clubbers.

Our Awana commander also serves as the church’s children’s ministry coordinator, and she has absolutely no volunteers to teach Sunday school.

We want to reach the hearts and minds of the children in our church, showing them the love God has for them. But unless we gain more volunteers, our leaders will have to sacrifice teaching opportunities and relationship moments in order to maintain the organization and flow of the ministries.

Please be in prayer for us, that more volunteers would join us in serving the Lord through our children’s ministries.

Unusual Game Equipment Spotlight: Brooms

Game One: Clean Sweep

Materials Needed:

• 1 player per team
• 1 broom per player
• 1 ball (or other rolling object) per player
• 4 circle pins
• Scoring pin and beanbag
• Game Circle or other flat race area

Players start at their color teams’ diagonals. At the whistle, players sweep their balls around the Game Circle for one lap and cross their colored diagonals. Once a player crosses her diagonal, she drops the broom and runs in for the scoring pin or beanbag. Players may only use their brooms to touch the balls, and balls must go around the outside of all the circle pins.

Game 2: Pony Express

Materials Needed:

• 3 players per team
• 1 broom per team
• 1 letter envelope per team
• 1 basket
• 4 circle pins
• Game Circle or relay area

The starting players on each team begin at their color team’s diagonal. They must straddle the brooms like stick horses and hold their envelopes. At the whistle, players “ride” their “horses” around the outside of the circle pins to the passing zone (the space between their colored diagonal and the colored diagonal immediately clockwise). When they enter the passing zone, player 1 hands the horse and “mail” to player 2. Player 2 then rides around the circle and hands off the horse and mail to player 3. Player 3 goes around the circle and crosses his colored diagonal. Once he crosses his diagonal, he rides his horse to the middle of the circle and “delivers the mail” by dropping the envelope into the basket. First team to deliver the mail wins.

For more information about Awana, visit the Awana Homepage
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

Unusual Game Equipment Spotlight: Donuts

Sometimes it’s fun to break away from the traditional and try something different. Unusual game equipment switches up the Game Time routine and adds something fresh to keep the kids excited and wanting to come back.

In a previous post, I discussed some ways to use car sponges, ping pong balls, and combats. But sometimes unusual game equipment can include food items*, as is the case with this week’s article. Today, I want to share a couple games using donuts.

Donuts come in many shapes, sizes, and levels of messiness, which makes them fairly versatile. Also, many kids (and leaders — make sure you have enough for them, too!) love the treats, often covered in glaze, chocolate and/or sprinkles. Donuts can make any game time sweeter!

Here are two donut game ideas to start your creative brain train. Do you have any other donutty games? Share in the comments!

Blind Donut

Materials needed:

• Several 3-foot pieces of string (1 piece per team of 3)
• Several messy ring donuts (1 donut per team of 3)
• Powdered mini donuts work for younger kids
• Glazed regular sized donuts are great for older kids and adults

Pre-game prep: Tie a donut onto the end of each string.

How to Play: Break players into groups of 3. Each group must decide who gets blindfolded and holds the string, who gives directions, and who eats the donut. Eaters lie flat on their back with their arms resting comfortably — they are not allowed to use their arms or hands for the duration of the game. Nor are they allowed to sit up or lean forward. String holders are blindfolded and placed at the heads of the eaters, dangling the donuts at least a foot above the eaters’ mouths. Direction givers stand next to the string holders.

At the whistle, direction givers must tell the string holders how to move the string so the eaters can eat the donut. First team with a completely swallowed donut wins.

Jelly Donut Feed

Materials needed:

• Jelly Donuts
• Bowls (1 bowl per player, disposable are recommended – easy clean-up)
• Optional: Whipped cream and/or chocolate syrup

Pre-game prep: Slice the donuts into sizes appropriate for the ages of the players (quartered, halved, etc.). Put one slice into each bowl. Optional: add whipped cream and/or chocolate syrup to each bowl.

How to Play: At the whistle, players must eat the donut slices out of the bowls using only their mouths. First player with a completely swallowed donut slice wins.

Variations:

• Make it a team event — all team members eat at the same time. First team to have all players swallow their donut slices wins.
• Make it a relay — one player from each team eats a donut piece, then tags the next player.
• Make it a relay race station — team chooses a representative to eat the donut piece. When the representative swallows, team can move to the next station.

*With any food game, please be conscious of the allergies of the participants and the possibility of staining clothes or carpets.

For more information about Awana, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

Billy the Pumpkin

Scripture: James 2:10, Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5, Romans 6:23, John 8:12

Materials:
1 Pumpkin
1 Tea candle
1 Lighter
Wax paper or saran wrap or newspaper- something to cover a table for easy cleanup.

Prep:
The night before or the day of the lesson, carve a simple happy or goofy face on the pumpkin, save 2-3 handfuls of the internal goop in a bag or plastic container.

Right before the lesson, cover the area with wax paper and return the goop to the inside of the pumpkin. Wear short sleeves and nothing on your wrists, as you will be reaching inside the pumpkin. Also, have a leader stand near the room’s light switch, ready to turn it off on your cure.

Tell the clubbers a story similar to the following. Disclaimer: This is a narrative I created to address Sparks. There may be others available online, or you can create your own.

Hi everyone! I'd like you to meet Billy. Billy comes from a Christian home, and as such, he does a lot of good things. He goes to church every Sunday and Awana every Wednesday, and he was baptized when he was six. He also donates some of his toys every year, and is respectful to his teachers.

But, Billy has a problem (remove the top of the pumpkin). You see, even though Billy does all sorts of good things, he still has all this icky stuff called sin. This (pick up a little bit of the goop) is from when he complained to himself when teacher asked him to help Jake put the art supplies away. This (pick up a little more of the goop) is from when Billy took just a little peek at Stephanie's spelling test because the only word he couldn’t remember was “cracker.” And this (pick up a little more of the goop) is from when his mom asked if he had finished his homework and he said yes, even though he had only done half of the math problems.

(Present your handful of goop to the kids) That doesn’t look like a lot of goop. I mean, none of those were big sins, right? Nobody heard him complain, he got all the other spelling words right on his own, and he would get the homework done before class tomorrow. And he’s done all those other good things, too. So all those good things make this small pile of icky sin unimportant, right? (Put handful back inside pumpkin).

The fact is that to God, sin is still sin, no matter how small we may think it is. In James 2:10, we’re told that "Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble at one point, he is guilty of all." We’re also told in Ephesians 2:8-9 and Titus 3:5 that there’s nothing we can do to make that sin disappear on our own. So all those good things that Billy does — having Christian parents, attending church, getting baptized, being respectful, giving to the poor — none of it can make that icky sin go away.

What’s worse is that tiny amount of sin has a giant, terrible consequence. Romans 6:23a tells us, “For the wages [or consequence] of sin is death.” Death means being separated from God forever. Poor Billy!

Fortunately, even though Billy can’t do anything, God can. The rest of Romans 6:23 tells us that “the Gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” In Titus and Ephesians, we’re told that God’s mercy and grace are what save us. Mercy means not punishing us even though we deserve it, and grace means that instead of punishing us, He wants to give us a gift we don’t deserve. God loves us so much that He sent His son Jesus Christ to face that consequence of sin so that we wouldn’t have to.

When Billy trusts that Jesus Christ died on the cross, taking the punishment Billy deserves, God cleans out all that nasty sin. (Remove the remaining goop from the pumpkin as you talk). Now does that mean we won’t sin anymore? No, we’re still not perfect, and we’ll still make mistakes. But once we’ve trusted Christ, God cleans out not only the sins we already did, but ALL our sins, even the ones we haven’t done yet!

And that’s not all God does! When we trust Christ, not only does God remove all our sin, He also promises to walk with us and help us to not sin. Once we trust Jesus, we’ll want to follow Him, and we’ll want to be obedient and do the right things to please Him. And He’ll help us to do those right things.

When we are obedient and follow His commands with His help, something happens. (Forewarn the clubbers that it will get dark, and ask them to not scream or yell). In John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (Put the candle inside the pumpkin and light it. Have your helper turn off the light).

Can everyone see God’s light in Billy? When we trust Jesus and follow God’s commands, we show God’s light and God’s love to others, just like Billy.

If you haven’t trusted that Jesus faced the consequences for your sin and you want to, talk to your parents, your handbook leader, another leader here, your pastor, me, or your Christian friends. God loves you and wants to clean away all that icky sin. If you have trusted Christ, awesome! You can ask God to help you show His love and light to others.

Have leader turn lights back on. Ask for a couple of clubber volunteers to help close in prayer.

For more information about Awana Clubs International, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

Three trees in your back pocket

It's the time of year when clubs celebrate with winter-themed games and Large Group lessons about Jesus's birth.

Unfortunately, it's also the time of year when people travel or leaders call in last minute because they or someone in their family are sick. And most likely, the one calling in sick is the one scheduled to teach the Large Group lesson tonight.

On club nights like those, I like having what I call a "back-pocket lesson" — a lesson that I know so thoroughly and needs so few props that I can teach it on the spot if needed. The following is one of my favorite Christmas-time back-pocket lessons: "The Legend of the Three Trees."

This folk tale tells the story of the dreams and aspirations of three trees and how, as they grow, God shows that His plans and His love for them go far beyond what they imagined.

I personally enjoy the storytelling approach, with few to no visual aids, engaging with the kids and having them help me by yelling "timber!" or asking them what they think will happen next. If you're comfortable telling stories from memory in front of children, you can find a simple version of the story here.

For those not as comfortable going from memory, the story also comes in picture book form and video form. You can store these in the kidmin closet or with other Awana stuff for short-notice access as well.

Do you have any back-pocket lessons? Feel free to share!

Enjoy, and have a Merry Christmas!

For more information about Awana Clubs International, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

4 games to celebrate fall and Thanksgiving

Fall and Thanksgiving are great times to discuss how God provides for us, giving us things like food, clothing, and seasonal game equipment. You can use Indian corn or bread sticks for batons, pumpkins for color pins, gourds for beanbags, etc.*

If you're feeling even more festive or adventurous, here are four games for additional seasonal fun with God's bounty! All games can be played throughout the year with standard game equipment or other themed items.

*Phony food is recommended and can be found with other seasonal items at your local dollar store. If you opt for real food, be prepared for cleanup — Indian corn flings kernels, pumpkins show their squashyness, and bread may be mistaken for mashed potatoes.

Feast Relay

Materials Needed:

• 1 flimsy paper plate per team
• 1 apple per team
• 1 bread stick (or ear of Indian corn) per team
• 1 gourd per team
• 1 small pumpkin per team
• 5 players from each team
• Game Circle or other relay area

Each player receives one food item. The starting players also receive the plates. At the whistle, the starting players balance their single food item on their plates while running one lap around the circle to the passing zone (the space between their colored diagonal and the colored diagonal immediately clockwise). Depending on the age group, players may or may not use their hands to help with balance. When the starting players enter their passing zone, they hand off their plate and food item to the second players. The second players balance both pieces of food on their plates for the second lap, then hand the plate and both food items to the third players, who balance all three food items on their plates. Play continues until the last players complete one lap with the plates and all the food. Once they cross their team's diagonal, they may drop everything and run in for the scoring pin or beanbag.

Variations:

• Place obstacles in the way, such as hoops they must step in or chairs they must step over.
• Use more food items.
• Use smaller paper plates.

Pumpkin Toss

Materials Needed:

• 1 small cornucopia per team
• 1 small pumpkin per team
• 2 players from each team
• Game circle or other tossing zone

Starting players stand holding their cornucopias in their teams' small triangles in the center of the game circle. Second players stand with their pumpkins outside the white circle in their teams' zone. At the whistle, Second players try to toss their pumpkins into their teammates' cornucopia. Cornucopia holders may move their cornucopias to catch the pumpkins, but they may not leave their triangles. When they catch the pumpkins, they run down their teams' diagonal, around their pin, and in for the scoring pin or beanbag. They must be holding their cornucopias and pumpkins to score.

Variations:

• Increase or decrease the tossing distance.
• For younger players, have a tub or bucket in the middle to toss pumpkins into. First player to get his pumpkin into the bucket wins.

Bundle-Up Relay

Materials Needed:

• One oversized sweatshirt per team
• One oversized pair of sweatpants per team
• One pair of giant gloves per team
• One winter hat per team
• 3 players from each team.
• 1 leader per team to help players
• Game Circle or other relay area

Put each team's winter wear at the color diagonals. The first players start at their color lines. At the whistle, Players put on all the clothing (leaders, teammates may need to help) then run one lap around the circle. When they reach their teams' zones, they remove the clothing and give it to the second players. The second players put it all on and run one lap. Play continues until the last players run one lap, cross their color diagonals and go in for the scoring pin or beanbag.

Variations:

• Only use sweatshirts
• May choose different clothing items. 
• Team sizes may vary

On the Farm

Materials Needed:

• 1 blindfold per team
• 1 player from each team
• Game Square or other square area

Each team is assigned a farm animal. Players are blindfolded, spun around, and placed somewhere in the square away from their teams. At the whistle, teams make the sounds of their farm animals. Players must listen for their teams' farm animal sounds and try to return to their team lines. First team to guide their teammate back across their color line wins. Teams must remain behind their lines when making animal sounds.

What are some of the seasonal games you do with your clubbers? Share in the comments!

For more information about Awana Clubs International, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

Sparks say the silliest things!

We've all heard our Sparks say some pretty silly things, from the ever popular "only forgotten Son" and "only boughten Son" to things so silly it takes all our self control to regain our composure. And they mean every word in all sincerity. I spoke with a few Sparks leaders and former Sparks leaders about some of their favorite Sparkisms. Here they are! Enjoy, and feel free to leave your own in the comments!
~

Photo provided by Sierra Bible Church

While waiting her turn during Handbook Time, Ali opened her Bible and placed it on her head like a tent. Her leader asked, "Why do you have a Bible on your head?"
"I'm hiding God's Word in my head!"

Kindergartener Samantha had some difficulty reciting 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: "According to the Scrispers."

One leader shared about another kindergartener trying to say 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. "For the funniest reason, she didn't want to or like saying 'in accordance with the scriptures," from the ESV. So when saying the verse, she'd say, 'Christ died for our sins... you know!' And she'd hold both hands out for me to finish for her! It took all night to get her to finish the verse by herself."

Commanders Dan and Karla used to print pictures on their leaders' nametags. Karla's picture was from her wedding six years prior. This left kindergartener Gracie quite confused.
"Who's that?"
"That's me."
"No, it's not!"
"Yes it is. That's from when I got married."
"Oh, ok. Wow, you're really old now!"

Nikki just entered third grade, but still had some Spark charm. When her leader taught a lesson about how God loves everyone, even bullies and jerks, she asked, "Even Obama?"

During prayer time, Hank, in first grade, was terribly upset. Apparently, his gerbil got sucked into a vacuum cleaner and all his tail hair came off. So Hank prayed, "God, please help my gerbil with his lost tail hair."

Second-grader Rory couldn't quite say "Song of Solomon." Instead, she was content with "Song of Salmon."

Nicholas, in second grade, couldn't figure out who was who while reciting Joshua 24:24.
"And the people said to Moses..."
"Nick, what book are we in?"
"Joshua."
"Who's the book about?"
"Joshua."
"Then why do you keep saying Moses?"
"I don't know."
"Let's try again."
"And the people said to Moses..."

Awana Missionary Joel Cook was visiting a club and handing out prayer cards: cards with his family's names and picture. In the picture, he had glasses and a goatee. At the club, he did not. He handed one of the kindergarteners a card. Caleb looked at the card, looked at Mr. Cook, looked at the card, then back at Mr. Cook:
"Who are you?"
Mr. Cook borrowed some glasses and made a fake goatee.
"Oh! There you are!"

And my personal favorite:
I was teaching my handbook group about why we memorize scripture. One of my second-graders asked about the armor of God, so we discussed the Sword of the Spirit. As the discussion ended, our Sparks director came in. I turned to another of my second-graders and asked, "Grayden, why don't you tell Mr. James about why we study scripture?"
"So we can stab Satan with a Sword!"

For more information about Awana Clubs International, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

3 pieces of non-Awana game equipment every game box should have

Ping Pong Balls

Found at: Wal-Mart, most sporting goods stores, ~$0.50 each, starting in packs of 6

Blow them, bat them, balance them, toss them in buckets, or some combination thereof. These come in many colors and can be used for many games.

Pearl Dive can use ping pong balls or golf balls.
Leaders can play, too!

Game 1: Pearl Dive

Materials Needed:

• An odd number of ping pong balls
• 1 blindfold per team
• 1 bucket or bag per team
• 1 player per team
• Game Square or other square or rectangle playing area

Players are blindfolded, spun around, and placed by Game Director somewhere in the Game Square. Then ping pong balls are spread around on the ground inside the Game Square. At the whistle, blindfolded players drop to hands and knees and search for the ping pong balls. Teams can help by giving players directions to the balls. However, teammates must remain behind their team line. Once all the ping pong balls are picked up, player with the most wins. Because the ping pong balls are so light, players may bump into them and not feel them. For easier game play, use golf balls (easier to feel).

Game 2: Air Golf

Materials Needed:

• 1 ping pong ball per team
• 1 box for the center of the circle (note, if running on alleys, have 1 box per team)
• 1 player per team
• Game Square or other flat playing area

To prep, cut a 1 ½in. -2 in. square out of each side of the box—big enough for a ping pong ball to roll through. Place the box in the center of the Game Square with each hole straddling a colored diagonal. Give the players from each team a ping pong ball. Have them start on hands and knees at the corner where their team’s colored line and colored diagonal intersect. At the whistle, players must blow their ping pong ball up their diagonal and into the box. The first person to blow their ping pong ball into the hole on her color diagonal and have it stay in the box wins. Players may not use their hands. For a more difficult race, have players blow ¼ the way around the circle to the next colored diagonal. For variety, players may use a straw or balloon to blow the ping pong ball instead.

Car Sponges

Car sponges are great for any age. Even Cubbies enjoy
squishing them onto leaders or each other.

Found at: Most auto stores ~$1-3 each

There are sponges, and then there are sponges! These 9in.x5in.x3in. sponges absorb tons of water and are great for the hot outdoor game nights. Kids love sloshing them against their leaders and peers. Towels and changes of clothes are recommended for club nights when these are involved.

Game 1: Over-Under

Materials Needed:

• Car Sponges
• 1 five-gallon bucket of water (half full) for each team
• Whole teams
• Outdoor alleyway or relay area.

To prep, place at least one car sponge in each team’s bucket. Squish all the air out and soak up as much water as possible. Leave the full sponge in the water. Starting players stand facing the bucket and teammates line up behind. At the whistle, the starting players grab the full sponge and pass it over their heads to the second players. The second players pass the sponges under their legs to the third players. Third players pass the sponge over their heads to the fourth players. The pattern continues until the last players have the sponge. They race to the bucket, fill their sponges, and take player 1’s spot, pushing everyone back one space. The first team whose starting player returns to the start wins. For more wetness or faster gameplay, teams may have more than one sponge going at a time.

Game 2: Dodge Sponge

Materials Needed:

• Minimum 4 car sponges
• 1 five-gallon bucket of water (half full, may need refilled periodically) for each team
• 2 teams (if you normally have 3 or 4 teams, you may need to split or combine)
• Square or rectangle outdoor field or lot divided down the middle with cones, rope, or visual landmarks

To prep, evenly divide sponges into buckets. Squeeze air out and fill with water. Leave the filled sponges in the water. At the whistle, players grab the sponges from their team buckets and throw them across the divide at their opponents. Sponges must be refilled before they are thrown again. If a thrower hits an opponent, the hit player is out. If the opponent catches the sponge before it hits the ground, the thrower is out. Throws will not count if thrower steps into opponent’s zone. Play continues until all members of a team are out. For longer game play, if a player catches a sponge before it hits the ground, one team member may reenter the match.

Combats

Found at: usgames.com $129.99/pair

These foam-filled, nylon-covered cylinders stand about four feet tall and have two handles on one side. They can be used as pins on Big Night, pillows for sleepovers, pillars for dodging on an obstacle course, or golf clubs for batting footballs, just to name a few.

Game 1: Combats

Materials needed:

• Combats
• 1 Player from each team
• Inner Game Square or other small playing area

The players each receive a combat and stand in the small square. At the whistle, players try to push their opponents outside the small square. A player is out if both feet leave the area—players are allowed to have one foot out as long as the other is in. Players may only push with the Combats: no headshots, stomach shots, foot shots, or smacking of any sort.

*Players with glasses should give their glasses to their leader during their turn.

Three Sparks ride their horse together
Might be able to fit four!

Game 2: Horse

Materials Needed:

• Combats
• Scoring Pin and Beanbag 
• 3 players from each team
• Game circle or relay area

The starting players from each team begin at their team’s colored diagonal. They must straddle the combat and hold one of the handles, like riding a stick horse. At the whistle, the players “ride” their “horses” around the circle to the passing zone (the space between their colored diagonal and the colored diagonal immediately clockwise). When they enter the passing zone, player 2 also gets on the horse and grabs the second strap. Both Players 1 and 2 go around the circle again to their passing zone. Then Player 3 gets on the horse, holding the second strap. Player 2 is now in the middle with no strap. All three players go around the circle and cross their colored diagonal. Once all three are across, Player three drops the strap and runs in for the scoring pin or beanbag. If riders fall off their horses, their team must stop and wait until all riders are back on.

For more information about Awana Clubs International, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

5 Pre-Games to start club before club starts

Once the starting whistle blows and the clubbers run to their color lines for the opening ceremony, the night enters a normal routine. But pre-whistle, what can leaders do with all those high-energy kids?

Some clubs have an area for clubbers to work on their handbooks — a great idea for those kids who come with 20 sections ready, or for those who want the little extra help before Handbook Time.

But if your club is like many, then most of your kids don't embrace the extra study time. Many clubs direct the kids to the Game Square and let them just hang. But some prefer a bit more controlled environment. For the latter, cue the pre-games. Below are five ideas to get you started.

Clubbers play a game of Four-Pie while waiting for the club night to begin.

Four Pie

Materials needed:

• Rubber playground ball (or an 18in.-24in. indoor rubber ball for younger players)
• Game Square

This game is derived from Four Square and works well for early arrivals or clubs with smaller numbers. Players rotate each round, but only four clubbers are actually playing at any time.

The Game Circle is divided into four "pies" by the colored diagonals (Hence "Four-Pie"). The pies are numbered clockwise, with 1 being the entry pie and 4 being the service pie. Each player gets one pie. The object of the game is to reach pie 4 by eliminating the people in the pies ahead of you.

The game starts with the server standing behind the white line at the back edge of her pie. She bounces the ball once, then hits it into one of the other three pies. If the ball bounces in pie 2, then the person in pie 2 must hit the ball into a different pie. Play continues until a player is disqualified. The disqualified player exits the game and stands in line outside the Game Square. Remaining players advance one pie until all pies are filled. Then the server serves again. If the ball lands on the lines instead of inside or outside a pie, players may choose to replay the round.

Players may be disqualified five* ways.

• If the ball bounces in their pie and they fail to hit it to another pie.
• If the ball bounces twice or more in a single pie without bouncing in another pie.
• If the players bounce the ball in their own pie
• If the players double-dribble
• If the players hit the ball outside the circle

*Clubs may include house rules, such as no spikes or the ball must bounce in the pie prior to hitting.

Variations:

• Use the Game Square instead of the Circle, making each section a triangle instead of a pie.
• Play in the Center Square for a smaller area of play and a new challenge.
• Play with two or more players in each section instead of one.

Spider

Materials needed:

• Game Square

This is a variation of tag. One person is the Spider ("it"), and the others try to run away. Players may only run away by following the lines of the "web" (Game Square). If the Spider tags a player, then the player becomes "stuck" in the web and cannot move from the place of tagging. Also, no other players except for the Spider may pass a stuck player. The winner is the last person to be tagged.

 

Robbins and Roosters

Materials needed:

• (Optional) A rope or line dividing the Square into two rectangles
• A designated caller
• Game Square or other square or rectangle

This is another tag variation. Play begins with the players roughly divided evenly into two teams: Robbins and Roosters. The two teams face each other on either side of the line at the center of the square.

The caller names one of the teams, for instance, "Roosters." The roosters cross the center rope and try tagging the robins. The robins turn around and run from the roosters, trying to cross the back square line without being tagged. Any tagged robins become roosters. Once all the robins are either tagged or safely across the line, players return to the center. Play resumes with the caller's team announcement. Play can continue indefinitely by alternating calls.

 

Bowling for Clubbers

Materials needed:

• Giant ball, 18in.-24in. or larger
• Game Square or other square area

This is like Rabbit Hunt or Circle Dodgeball, just with a giant ball. Play begins with a designated group in the circle (all clubbers, all leaders, all T&T, all boys, all girls with pony tails, etc.) The remaining players stand around the outside of the circle. At the whistle, the players outside the circle "bowl" the ball, trying to hit the players inside the circle. When players are hit, they become bowlers outside the circle. The last player in the circle wins, and a new dodging group is designated.

Players in the circle are out if:

• The ball touches them below the neck
• They step outside the circle

Players are not out if:

• The ball hits them in the head
• The bowler steps inside the circle
• The bowler throws the ball instead of bowling

Variation: The Gauntlet

Play begins with a designated group of runners standing behind one of the four square sides. The other players line the two sides of the square adjacent to the runners. At the whistle, the runners try to safely pass through "the gauntlet" by running across the opposite line without getting touched by the ball. The players on either side bowl the ball back and forth, trying to hit the runners before they cross the line. Runners touched by the ball join the bowlers. Runners who make it safely through wait for the whistle and then try to run back. The last runner wins, and new runners are designated.

 

Helicopter

Materials Needed:

• Jump rope or long rope with a ball at the end (will hit or wrap around player's ankles)
• Optional: Gloves (prevents rope burns)
• Game Square or other large playing area

Play begins with all but one of the players standing in a circle with the last player in the middle holding the rope ball. The center player holds the non-ball end of the rope and begins rolling the ball around him, gradually letting the rope out until it is fully extended. The players surrounding him jump the rope as it swings by. Players are out if they fail to jump, or if the rope or ball hits their ankles. Once a player is disqualified, play begins again. The game continues until only one player remains.

What are some things you do for that pre-club time? Please share them in the comments!

For more information about Awana Clubs International, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

Getting JOY through Service: Jesus First, Others Second, You Last

For the last few years, Good Shepherd Wesleyan Church Awana Club has had a theme for the year. This year's theme is Service. In Sparks, we're focusing on how to get JOY through service. In this post, I will share an outline for the Large Group Time message I used to kick off the theme. This was actually a message I remember from when I was a clubber.

Scripture: Matthew 22:36-40

Materials:
3 large squares of construction paper

• Square 1: "J" on one side, "Jesus" on the other
• Square 2: "O" one one side, "Others" on the other
• Square 3: "Y" on one side, "You" or "Yourself" on the other

Have three clubbers come hold the three letters, showing the audience “J O Y.”

Ask Clubbers:
What is JOY?
– Allow Responses. Examples: Happiness, excitement, delight, etc.

How do we get JOY?
– Allow Responses.

Tell Clubbers:
In the book of Matthew, there were some people who had a similar question. Let’s see what Jesus had to say.

Matthew 22:36-38
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
This is the first and great commandment."

Tell Clubbers:

In these verses, we are given the first step to having JOY: Love Jesus First, before anything else. 

Have the clubber with the letter “J” turn his letter around, showing the audience “Jesus.”

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment."

Tell Clubbers:
Jesus is the first step to having JOY.

Ask Clubbers:
How can we love Jesus first?
– Allow Responses. Examples: Pray, spend time with God each day, work on handbooks, memorize verses, obey God, etc.

Tell Clubbers:

Those are all great ways to love Jesus first. Now what about the second step in JOY? Let’s look back and see.

Matthew 22:39
And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

Tell Clubbers:

In this verse, we learn that the second step in getting JOY is Loving Others Second, after loving Jesus.

Have the clubber with the letter “O” turn his paper around, showing the audience “Others.”




Ask Clubbers:
How can we love others second?
–Allow resopnses. Examples:Be kind, share, say please and thank you, keep God’s commandments, serve (our theme this year), etc.

Tell clubbers:

Those are all great ideas for how to love others. So our second step to JOY is serving others. Now we have Jesus first and others second in our steps to getting JOY. What about the last step?

Matthew 22:40
“On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Tell clubbers:

Hmm. Well, here we see that all the other laws rest on Jesus first and others second. So, by placing Jesus and others before yourself, that means the last step in JOY would be You Last. So our third step to JOY is serving You last.

Have the clubber with “Y” turn her paper around, showing the audience “You.”


Ask Clubbers:
Now that we’ve seen what the Bible says, how do we get JOY?
– Correct Response: Jesus first, Others second, and You last.

Let’s pray that God help us to find JOY this next week.

For more information about Awana Clubs International, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.