AWANA, Pastor & Steroids

Keith PalmerAssociate Pastor, Grace Bible Church, Granbury

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A Confession & a Qualification

AWANA is a tool

What you do with it, to some extent, is up to you

Don’t let AWANA be an independent, disconnected “program”

This is a temptation, especially in smaller churches

But we will be more biblical and effective if we do otherwise

Make AWANA an intentional part of your church’s broader philosophy of ministry

Assumption: A philosophy of ministry is important and all churches should have one

Make AWANA an intentional part of your church’s broader philosophy of ministry

What is a Philosophy of Ministry? It is a statement, based on Scripture,

that answers questions like these: As a church…

What are we trying to do? How will we do it? What is the goal? How will we know when we have reached

the goal?

Make AWANA an intentional part of your church’s broader philosophy of ministry

What is a Philosophy of Ministry? For example, Colossians 1:28-29

A commitment to the right Person A commitment to the right Method A commitment to the right Goal A commitment to the right Drive A commitment to the right Might

Make AWANA an intentional part of your church’s broader philosophy of ministry

Philosophy of Children’s Ministry Ministry is about God. Jesus Christ should be the

sole focus of ministry (Col. 1:18, 28-29) Recognize that parents are to be the primary

spiritual influence to their children (Deut. 6:4-9, Ps. 78:2-8, Eph 6:1-4, Col. 3:20-21). The Church is the supplemental spiritual influence.

Parents must be encouraged and equipped (Eph. 4:11-13)

Theology is relevant and a child's greatest need is for biblical teaching (Heb. 4:12, 2 Tim. 3:16-17)

Make AWANA an intentional part of your church’s broader philosophy of ministry

Philosophy of Children’s Ministry Children are by nature sinners (Rom. 3:23, Ps.

51:5, 58:3) Children need the gospel of Jesus Christ (Eph.

2:1ff, Col. 1:28-29) The goal of children's ministry is to see each

child develop a maturing and growing walk with Jesus Christ (Col. 1:28-29, Eph. 4:13-15)

Children's ministry should be connected to the overall purpose of the local church (Eph. 3:9-10, Matt. 16:18)

Make AWANA an intentional part of your church’s broader philosophy of ministry

Philosophy of Adult Ministry How can we disciple, shepherd and come

alongside parents? How can we disciple, shepherd and come

alongside children’s ministry workers? Are the Adult & Children’s ministries seen

in the church as disconnected ministries and programs?

What can AWANA be used to do?

Evangelize unbelieving children Disciple believing children and young

adults Test professing children and teenagers Evangelize unbelieving parents and

families Disciple AWANA leaders Train and disciple believing teenagers

Action items:

Have a biblical philosophy of ministry Strategically incorporate AWANA as

part of the broader philosophy of ministry

Action items: Personally disciple and shepherd the

AWANA Commander or other key AWANA leaders. If possible, meet with all of your AWANA leaders for the purpose of training and encouragement Train them as to what the church is and what a

church does Show how AWANA relates to the broader

purposes and goals of the church Train them how to pastor, shepherd and disciple

children.

Action items:

Don’t use steroids. Instead, depend upon “his power which mightily works within [you]” (Col. 1:29)

Suggested Resources: