AWANA

By Brenda Rota

Erin O’Hara asked me to teach the Bible time at AWANA.  As she handed me the curriculum, she explained that I would teach two, 20-minute segments to children in grades K through 4^th grade.  I could expect anywhere from 20 kids/session to 40 kids!  Erin had a good suggestion, get a teen to help me so I snared my own teen, Jessie.

The main point that I was asked to teach the kids was that God speaks through the Bible and through prayer.   Two very profound truths!

So I thought I would ask the kids what they already knew about the Bible and prayer.  I was overwhelmed by the children’s response!  They were excited to learn, eager to participate and most of all….they knew that the Bible and prayer are two important ways they use to talk with Jesus.

I literally floated out of AWANA that night!  Later in my quiet time, as I thanked the Lord for this opportunity, he challenged me:

The students came expecting to learn something new.  Do I do that each and every Sunday?  Is that my expectation when I pray for my day in the early morning?

The students eagerly shared what they knew about the Bible.  Do I do that?  Do I eagerly share a truth from Scripture with my neighbor?  Friend?

The students committed verses to memory.  Do I?  Or, do I simply carry my Bible around?

The students actively participated.  Do I actively participate in the ministries in my church?

The students learned through the drama that my daughter facilitated.  Do I respect different people’s learning/worship styles?

Talk to Jesus…and use the Bible and prayer to do so!