AWANA

    Information about our weekly AWANA program

    Wednesday evenings from 6:30 - 8 PM

    Mid-September through early May


    Awana is an international, nondenominational, Bible-centered youth organization providing weekday clubs and programs for three year olds through 6th grade. The name AWANA comes from the first letters of Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed (2 Tim 2:15). Awana strongly emphasizes memorizing and understanding scripture. Psalm 119:11 says, Thy (God's) Word (the Bible) have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee. The Bible teaches that studying (2 Tim 2:15) and memorizing God's Word are keys to winning the battle against sin. The Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb 4:12). Our children discover that the verses they learn in Awana help them live Christ-honoring lives.


    DROP OFF

    All children must be escorted into the building by an adult.

    Cubbies can be dropped off in their classroom.

    Sparks/T&T students will check-in with the secretaries in the commons before entering the sanctuary.


    PICK-UP at 8 p.m.

    Cubbies: Pick up from their classroom

    Sparks and T&T: Commons

    A typical night for Sparks and T&T students at AWANA includes three segments:

    1. Game Time: Game time encourages Christian sportsmanship, fellowship, cooperation, team spirit and friendship. We goal to get all of our children to participate, unleashing natural energy & enthusiasm.


    2. Handbook Time: Using achievement-oriented learning, AWANA training emphasizes the importance of God & His Word for sound living. Clubbers progress through handbooks at their own pace & leaders meet with them individually to go over what they have learned. There are approximately 90 verses in each workbook.


    3. Council Time: This time includes a Bible Story, music, announcements, and awards & recognition for individual handbook progress & points scored in team play.


    *NOTE: Kids can register at any time during the club year, simply by arriving on Wednesdays by 6:30 p.m. and speaking with the secretaries at the registration tables.


    If you would like more information on our Awana program or to volunteer, please contact:

    James O'Neill, Awana Commander - at 763-639-7243 or jamesoneill4694@gmail.com

    Kristen Ruopsa, Children's Director - at 763-682-6846 or kristen@buffalofree.org

    Digital content & resources

    • CUBBIES

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    • SPARKS

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    • T&T

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    • We have three groups: the Cubbies, the Sparks, and the T&T. 


      The Cubbies is for children aged three and four—must be three by the start of the school year and potty-trained. They celebrate the spiritual potential of preschoolers by helping them develop respect for God, His Son, and His Word. 


      The Sparks are for Kindergarten through 2nd grade. The goal for the Sparks group is to ignite the curiosity of early elementary age kids to learn about the people and events of the Bible, building a foundation of wisdom for knowing Christ. In the Sparks program we explore the people of the Bible, memorize Bible verses, complete the handbook, and have a lot of fun while helping the kids build their very own community! 


      The T&T group is for 3rd-6th grade. T&T stands for truth and training. In this curriculum series we focus on teaching kids the truth of God's Word, training them to follow Jesus, while exploring fundamental doctrines of Christianity such as the character and nature of God, the structure and sequence of the Bible, the redemption narrative of Jesus, and key practices for followers of Jesus. Our primary goal in this program is to encourage kids to engage in biblical and relational discipleship. T&T helps students to grow and develop as lifelong followers of Jesus with a community of people their own age.


      Founded in 1950, the Awana ministry is an international nondenominational Bible-centered children's and youth ministry. Buffalo Evangelical Free Church chartered its Awana club in 1992 and we have been committed to the evangelism and discipleship of children through weekly club meetings during the school year. Our Awana program is something we as a church are proud of. Our goal is to make disciples by passing faith from one generation to the next. 

    • 2024 - 2025
      09.11     1st Night of Awana: Cook-Out Kick-Off.
      09.18    Pajama Night: Dress up in your PJs.
      09.25    Friend Night: Bring a friend and get double points and shares.
      10.02   Pirate Night: Dress and talk like a pirate.
      10.09    High Five Night: Do things in fives - run 4 laps around the game square, say 5 verses, give high fives all night, etc.
      10.16     NO CLUB: Fall Break
      10.23     Pumpkin Night: Be ready to carve or color pumpkins
      10.31      Superhero Night: Dress up as your favorite superhero!
      11.06      Club Color Night: Wear clothing and accessories in your club color. Blue: Cubbies. Red: Sparks. Green: T&T
      11.13       Freckles Night: Say as many verses as you can - your leader will get a colored for for every verse you say!
      11.20      Alphabet Night: Choose a letter and wear as many items as possible that start with that letter — Ex: "S": Shirt, Scarf, Sandals, Sun-visor, Striped Pants, etc.
      11.27      NO CLUB: Thanksgiving Break
      12.04     Sharing and Caring Night - Christmas: Bring paper and/or personal care items for the food shelf.
      12.11       Winter Night: Dress up like your favorite thing to do in winter. Also, we will play winter games during game time.
      12.18      Nativity Night: Dress up as your favorite Bible character in the Nativity/Christmas story.
      12.25     NO CLUB: Christmas Break
      01.01     NO CLUB: Leaders Meeting
      *2025 Dates will be updated soon.
      04.02    NO CLUB: Spring Break
      05.07    AWANA AWARDS NIGHT!: Final night of Awana, invite the whole family to see you receive an award.

    • Each week the students will earn AWANA bucks through participating in the theme night and/or by completing sections of their handbooks. One night per month the AWANA store will open and when the students have finished their handbook time they can go and spend their AWANA bucks on prizes and treats. If they choose to not spend anything, they can save it to spend at a later time.