WausaAwana

09/04/2026

Good vs. Best

As parents and caregivers, sometimes we feel stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to our children’s extracurricular activities.

Things like sports, music and art lessons, drama club, etc., are a great way to help kids develop skills that help them become well-rounded adults. But the time they require can also be a drain on the life of a family.

So what are we to do?

Remember everything is a season. If your children have specific goals or interests they want to pursue, talk about them together. Decide, “This activity will make us busier, but for this season, it is worth it for ____ reason.”
Then, create a schedule that prioritizes intentional family discipleship moments even in the busyness.

Alternatively, perhaps you’ve just had a busy season and your family needs a break. In that case, decide together, “For this time, there will be no extracurricular activities.” Then work together to create a plan and set goals for what you want your family to get out of your extra time together.

Whatever you choose this season — extracurriculars or no — make sure you and your family have a specific reason for your choice. From all the good things you can do, pray together that God would show you what is best. When this season is over, take some time to review what worked and what didn’t and use that information to help you as you look ahead to what’s next.

Talk About This One Thing:
“What is your goal for this season and what do you believe God is teaching you?”

​​​​​​Continue the Conversation:

1. Together, memorize Proverbs 16:9: The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

2. Create a family calendar. Put all your potential activities and commitments on it. One by one, label the things that are “good” and the things that are “best.” Pray together that God would direct your family’s steps and show you the “good” things that need to be removed so you can do what is best for you this season.

See you next week!
The Child Discipleship Team

08/28/2026

18 Summers
Have you ever heard someone say that we only have 18 summers with our kids? Or that 75% of the time we spend with our kids is over by age 12? While our actual experiences may differ from these statistics, the point remains: as our kids grow, the amount of direct, focused time we have with them shrinks. It’s a natural and expected part of life.
Knowing our kids will one day spread their wings and soar is exciting, but it’s also a reminder that we must make the most of our time with them before they do. Whether your kids are 15 months or 15 years old, here are a few suggestions:
- Be present. Put down your phone or any other distraction. Show your kids they are important enough to you to have your full attention.
- Listen first. When your kids share something with you, listen first and then talk later when necessary.
- Make time for memories. Whether it’s creating family traditions, taking trips together, or simply setting aside time for kitchen dance parties, having fun with your kids lets them see you enjoy them and want to be with them. Those are the moments they remember most.
- Always point them to Christ. When we consistently teach our kids to look to Christ and keep Him first in everything they do, even if they one day go astray, we can have hope that they will always remember what we taught them (Proverbs 22:6).
Talk About This One Thing:
Let your kids know you care what they think by asking: “What is one thing I do that you like and what is one thing I could improve?”
Continue the Conversation:
1. Help your kids choose a verse to memorize about trusting in the Lord. If you need help, Proverbs 3:5–6 is a good place to start: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
2. Make a memory together. Teach your kids a new skill, play soccer in the yard or go on a weekend day trip together. Whatever you do, make sure to just have fun and be present with your kids.
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See you next week!
The Child Discipleship Team

08/25/2026

Our first night of the year for 2026 will be September 9!
We invite everyone to come for supper at 6:00. Club will begin at 6:20.
It will be a regular club night. However, if any parents want to stick around for opening announcements we will announce any club changes at that time.
All parents are required to at least stop by for a couple minutes the first night to:
- Fill out a registration form the first night, authorizing your children to be at club
- Pick-up a parent handbook that will include a calendar and expectations
If your clubber is planning to complete their handbooks, here are the verses to be working on for our very first week! In fact, we’ll double the number of Awana shares received for reciting verses the first week!
• Cubbies – 1 John 4:10
• Sparks – John 3:16 (for all three Sparks books)
• Truth & Training - Psalm 100:3
• Trek – John 1:1-3

08/21/2026

Back To School

It’s hard to believe, but summer is almost over and back to school season is here! As parents and caregivers, we know your desire is to shepherd your kids well as they prepare to return to the classes, friends and expectations that come along with every new school year.

Here are a few ideas to help your kids get ready to launch into a new season while anchoring them to the Lord who will be with them every step of the way:

- Back to school countdown: In the week before the first day of school, give your kids a visual reminder by crossing days off on a wall calendar. Then, each evening, choose one Bible verse to read together and talk about how it can bring them encouragement during their school day.
- Create a back to school tradition: Whether you host a family dinner and invite guests or spend a Saturday doing fun activities together, establishing an annual back to school tradition gives your kids something they can look forward to each year and memories they can hold onto for a lifetime.
- “Send” your kids well: Before the first day, remind your kids of the mission God gives His followers each time they go out into the world. Pray blessings over them and encourage them that He is always with them.
- Give your kids the right tools: Help your kids choose a verse they can hold to no matter what challenges they may face during their day. Philippians 4:13, Joshua 1:9, 1 Corinthians 16:14, Psalm 46:10, 1 Chronicles 16:11, James 1:5 and Proverbs 3:5 are good places to
start.

Talk About This One Thing:
“What is one thing you want to remember when classes start again?”

Continue the Conversation:
1. Choose a family verse to memorize this school year. Write it on a piece of paper and post it where your family will see it every day.
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2. If you haven’t already finished God’s Story: A Summer in the Gospel
Together, it’s not too late! There are lots of activities and ideas your family can do together as you prepare to head back to school.

See you next week!
The Child Discipleship Team

08/10/2026

07/24/2026

Live Like Christ

Jesus died for our sins. This is the core of the Gospel message, and one of the primary things we teach our children as we disciple them.

But have you ever considered the flip-side of this truth? Yes, Jesus died for our sins, but He LIVED for us too.

Jesus gave up His rights as the Son of God, came to Earth as a baby (Philippians 2:5–8) and lived a full life, God in human flesh (Luke 1:31–33; 1 Timothy 3:16). He experienced human struggles but dealt with them perfectly and without sin as only God could (Matthew 4:1–11).

Of course, He did this to satisfy the requirements needed to become the only perfect sacrifice that could pay the penalty for our sins (Hebrews 9). But He also did it so that through Him, we might get to know the Father better (John 14:9) and that we might see what it looked like to live in complete obedience to God (John 8:29; Luke 22:42).

So, as you work day in and day out to disciple the kids in your care, teach them that Christ died for them. But also, teach them how He lived. Show them through Jesus’ example what it looks like to trust and obey God with their whole hearts. And demonstrate the same principles Jesus taught through the way you live as well.

Talk About This One Thing:
“What can we learn from Jesus about how we should obey God?”

Continue the Conversation:
1. Read Matthew 4:1–11 and any of the other passages listed in the paragraphs above. Talk about how Jesus obeyed God and discuss ways you can follow His example.

2. Together, memorize Philippians 2:8: And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

3. To dive deeper into this topic, download God’s Story: A Summer in the Gospel Together, and the guide and activities together!
https://childdiscipleship.com/summer/
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See you next week!
The Child Discipleship Team

07/17/2026

The Greatest Lie

When God created Adam and Eve, He gave them a purpose in His creation, as well as one very specific instruction: Do not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you do, you will die (Genesis 2:16–17).

Simple, right?

For a time (we don’t know how long), Adam and Eve had no problem following this instruction. They lived in harmony with their Creator and His very good creation. Until one day, the serpent began whispering in Eve’s ear: Did God actually say . . . (Genesis 3:2).

Instead of turning away from the serpent and toward God, both Eve and Adam listened to and believed the lie and began to question God’s goodness. Then, they took matters into their own hands, disobeying God’s one command, bringing sin into the world and breaking their peaceful existence.

Lies like this still affect us today, causing us, like Adam and Eve, to question whether we can really trust God. And if these lies cause problems for us, just imagine what they’re doing to our kids. So what can you do? First, prepare your kids. Tell them when they face temptation, to close their ears to the lies and look to God’s truth instead. Then, keep an open line of communication with them, allowing them to freely share and ask questions as much as they need to. You may not always have the answers, but you can help them seek God who does.

When we encourage each other in the truth and point each other to the One who gives it, we can combat the lies that come our way so that we may grow stronger in the Lord each and every day.

Talk About This One Thing:
“What is one question you would like to ask God?"

Continue the Conversation:
1. This week, memorize with your kids Matthew 7:8: For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
2. Talk with your kids about how they can seek God and His truth when they experience temptation.
3. If you haven’t already, download God’s Story: A Summer in the Gospel Together, and follow along to dive deeper into Adam and Eve’s story together. https://childdiscipleship.com/summer/
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See you next week!
The Child Discipleship Team

07/10/2026

Set Free

What does it mean to be truly free? Two hundred and fifty years ago, the founding fathers of the United States believed it meant the ability to govern in the way they felt best, without oversight from a tyrannical king. But for believers in Christ, true freedom goes much deeper.
Because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we no longer have to struggle against the bonds of sin. And because of Christ’s resurrection, death now has no power over those who believe in Him. True freedom is being able to rest in these truths, knowing that absolutely nothing on this earth can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38–39).
So this July 4th, whether you’re grilling out, gathering with family and friends, watching fireworks or none of the above, take this opportunity with your kids to turn the conversation to freedom. Ask them what they think it means to be free (you may get some entertaining answers), and talk about the kind of freedom Christ offers.
We pray conversations like these will lead to meaningful discussion that will draw you and your family closer and closer to Jesus as you discover what it means to be set free once and for all.

Talk About This One Thing:
“What does freedom mean to you?”

Continue the Conversation:
1. Together, memorize Romans 8:1: For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
2. Enjoy some time outside together at the pool, beach or a park. Talk about topics like freedom, both earthly freedom and the freedom Christ offers, while you enjoy a frozen treat together.
3. Go through week 7 of the Family Worship Guide and activities found in our FREE download: God’s Story: A Summer in the Gospel Together. https://childdiscipleship.com/summer/

See you next week!
The Child Discipleship Team

07/03/2026

Who's Your Hero?

Is there someone you would consider a personal hero? Is it a teacher, ministry leader, friend or family member? Perhaps it’s a hero from the Bible. Or maybe it’s a sports or entertainment figure, or even a superhero straight from a comic book. What do you like about your heroes, and are your current heroes different from the ones you had growing up?

The world loves to throw around the term “hero.” Too often, it holds up people it believes to be worthy of emulation—whether or not they truly are. And it’s not just us, but also our kids who are susceptible to the pull of “wanting to be just like ____.”

Having heroes isn’t a bad thing, though. Scripture itself lists “heroes” whose examples of faith in God should inspire us in our own walks with Him (see Hebrews 11). But we should always examine “why” certain figures inspire us, how they motivate us to act, and teach our kids to do the same.

So, talk about your heroes with your kids. Share stories of people you personally know, and maybe some you don’t, who have had a positive impact on your life and your faith. Help your kids see that being a hero is more than just looking cool, it’s about doing good.

Most importantly, it’s about helping others draw closer to the truest of heroes, Jesus Christ, and teaching them to follow after Him.
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Talk About This One Thing
“Who is your hero, and why?”

Continue the Conversation
1. With your family, take time this week to read aloud Hebrews 11. Pick one or two of the figures listed there and dive deeper into their stories. Discuss why they would be listed in this passage as people whose faith we should imitate.

2. Together, memorize Ephesians 5:1–2a: Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us. Then, talk about what this verse means and in what ways we can be imitators of God.
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See you next week!
The Child Discipleship Team

06/26/2026

The Child Discipleship Blueprint
In Matthew 28:19–20, Jesus commanded His followers to go out and make disciples in His name. For those of us who are parents and caregivers, some of those disciples are our kids!

It’s a little daunting, isn’t it?

Thankfully, Jesus didn’t just tell us what to do, He also showed us how. Let’s look at three lessons we can learn from the way Jesus interacted with His own disciples during His earthly ministry:

Discipleship is not a one-time event, it’s always ongoing. Through conversations and actions, Christ taught His disciples about Himself and pointed them to the Father every single day (Matthew 6:9–13; Luke 22:39–46).
Discipleship is personal and intimate. Jesus shared His life with His disciples. Yes, He taught large groups of people, but most of His time was spent with just a few (Luke 11:1; Mark 3:14).
Discipleship requires clarity. Jesus didn’t mince words with His disciples. He called them out when they did wrong (Matthew 16:23; Mark 9:33–37), and He taught them truths about the Father and His relationship with Him (John 3:16; 10:30; 14:10).
Naturally, putting these discipleship lessons into practice will look a little different for everyone. But whether you discuss a passage of Scripture over breakfast, go on family neighborhood prayerwalks, listen to an audio devotional on the way to school, or go hiking and point out the beauty and intentionality of God’s wonderful design, we pray Jesus’ constant, personal and clear example of discipleship will encourage and inspire you.


Talk About This One Thing
“What can we learn from Jesus’ relationship with His disciples?”


Continue the Conversation

1. This week, encourage each family member to pick a verse (or verses) they want to memorize. At the end of the week, set aside time for each family member to share their verse and explain why they chose it.

2. For more inspiration and ideas to help you more intentionally disciple your kids, check out the Child Discipleship Podcast, with new episodes released every Wednesday.
​​​​​​​​​​​https://childdiscipleship.com/podcasts/

See you next week!
The Child Discipleship Team