This is What “Truth and Training” Looks Like

United States

Kids’ seemingly endless pursuit of likes, followers and extracurricular glory gets a lot of attention in the media. And it’s a hot topic in child discipleship, too. How do we help kids look beyond what the world tells them to be and instead become who God calls them to be?

All that heaviness subsides a bit when we hear stories like this one from the Awana Truth & Training™ (T&T) club at Arbor Christian Fellowship (ACF).

Each week at T&T, kids in third through sixth grade memorize and recite Bible verses to their Awana leaders. They learn invaluable lessons about God’s Word.

But as rich as the rewards of learning Scripture may be, every kid needs a little motivation. Enter: Awana Dollars. For every Awana Dollar the kids earned by learning Scripture, the congregation matched it through their giving.

The kids could have spent the Dollars on fun rewards. Instead, they went “shopping” in the Compassion International Christmas Catalog to give life-changing gifts like Bibles, seeds to help with food sustainability, water filtration systems, and food for moms and babies an ocean away.

Awana leaders at ACF say, “These kids have not only blessed others on Earth; they’ve stored up treasures in heaven. Their selflessness is a testament to the power of child discipleship, not just in their own lives but in the lives of those around the world.”

That’s what the mission of Awana is about — shaping kids who know, love and serve Jesus Christ. The ripple effect is inevitable and immeasurable. The more children become like Him, the more they carry His love to those around them. We’re grateful to our church partners, organizations like Compassion International and you for being on mission with us so every child, everywhere knows the hope of Jesus.