Empowering Children's Discipleship Through Community and Technology

Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the heart and mission of Awana, a global nonprofit ministry dedicated to child discipleship. Awana's mission is to partner with local churches to disciple children from ages two to eighteen through their midweek and weekend curriculums. The midweek curriculum, known as Awana Clubs, serves children from preschool to high school, while the weekend curriculum, Bright, caters to infants through elementary-aged children. Both curriculums are designed to foster a sense of belonging, believing, and becoming, which are the core tenets of Awana's 3B philosophy.

We discussed the importance of integrating technology and digital media into our teaching methods. While technology should never replace the Bible or live teaching, it can significantly enhance the learning experience. For instance, Bright includes intro videos and Bible story recaps that help capture children's attention and aid in memory retention. These tools are designed to supplement live teaching, ensuring that the primary focus remains on direct interaction and relationship-building, which are crucial for effective discipleship.

The sermon also highlighted the global impact of Awana, particularly in places like Africa, where the curriculum is being used in public schools. This has led to significant cultural changes and the spread of the gospel in ways that might be unimaginable in other parts of the world. The use of media and technology has also allowed us to share these stories and inspire others globally.

Finally, we addressed the challenges faced by leaders in children's ministry, especially in the aftermath of COVID-19. The importance of retreating to spend time with God, remembering the mission's "why," and finding a supportive community were emphasized as key strategies for overcoming burnout and staying motivated.

### Key Takeaways

1. The 3B Philosophy: Belonging, Believing, and Becoming
- Awana's approach to discipleship is built on the 3B philosophy: belonging, believing, and becoming. These elements are essential for fostering lasting faith in children. When children feel they belong, they are more open to believing in the gospel and becoming followers of Jesus. This holistic approach ensures that discipleship is not just about imparting knowledge but also about building a community and nurturing spiritual growth. [08:09]

2. The Role of Technology in Discipleship
- While technology should never replace the Bible or live teaching, it can be a powerful tool for enhancing the learning experience. Intro videos and Bible story recaps in the Bright curriculum help capture children's attention and aid in memory retention. These tools are designed to supplement live teaching, ensuring that the primary focus remains on direct interaction and relationship-building, which are crucial for effective discipleship. [12:14]

3. Global Impact and Cultural Change
- Awana's mission extends beyond the U.S., impacting children globally, particularly in Africa, where the curriculum is used in public schools. This has led to significant cultural changes and the spread of the gospel in ways that might be unimaginable in other parts of the world. The use of media and technology has also allowed us to share these stories and inspire others globally. [19:41]

4. Balancing Media and Live Teaching
- There is an ongoing debate about the role of media in children's ministry. Awana believes in using media as an enhancement rather than a replacement for live teaching. True discipleship happens in relationships, and while media can aid in storytelling and engagement, the primary teaching should always be live and interactive. This balance ensures that children receive a well-rounded and impactful discipleship experience. [23:09]

5. Overcoming Burnout in Ministry
- Leaders in children's ministry often face burnout, especially in the aftermath of COVID-19. To overcome this, it's essential to follow Jesus' example of retreating to spend time with God, remembering the mission's "why," and finding a supportive community. These strategies help maintain spiritual strength, motivation, and resilience, ensuring that leaders can continue their vital work effectively. [34:12]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[05:14] - Overview of Awana's Mission
[08:09] - The 3B Philosophy
[10:14] - Integrating Technology in Discipleship
[12:14] - Enhancing Learning with Media
[15:48] - The Importance of the Great Commission
[19:41] - Global Impact in Africa
[21:55] - Debating Media in Children's Ministry
[23:09] - Balancing Media and Live Teaching
[26:33] - Ensuring Biblical Accuracy
[30:15] - Personal Motivation and Mission
[32:26] - Encouraging Ministry Leaders
[36:31] - Resources and Websites

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 28:19-20 (The Great Commission)
2. Mark 10:14 (Jesus and the Little Children)
3. Proverbs 22:6 (Train up a child)

#### Observation Questions
1. What are the three core tenets of Awana's 3B philosophy? How do they contribute to child discipleship? [08:09]
2. How does Awana integrate technology into its Bright curriculum, and what are the intended benefits? [12:14]
3. What impact has Awana's curriculum had in public schools in Africa? [19:41]
4. What strategies were suggested for overcoming burnout in children's ministry? [34:12]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the 3B philosophy (Belonging, Believing, Becoming) align with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20? [08:09]
2. In what ways can technology enhance the teaching of the Bible without replacing live interaction? [12:14]
3. What cultural changes have been observed in Africa due to the implementation of Awana's curriculum, and what does this suggest about the power of the gospel? [19:41]
4. How can the example of Jesus retreating to spend time with God be applied to prevent burnout in ministry leaders today? [34:12]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the 3B philosophy. How can you create a sense of belonging, believing, and becoming in your own ministry or family? [08:09]
2. Think about the role of technology in your own spiritual growth. How can you use digital tools to enhance your Bible study without letting them become a distraction? [12:14]
3. Awana's curriculum has had a significant impact in Africa. How can you support or get involved in global missions to spread the gospel? [19:41]
4. What steps can you take to balance media and live teaching in your ministry to ensure effective discipleship? [23:09]
5. Have you experienced burnout in your ministry or personal life? What strategies from the sermon can you implement to find rest and rejuvenation? [34:12]
6. How can you remind yourself of the "why" behind your ministry work to stay motivated and focused? Consider writing it down and placing it somewhere visible. [35:04]
7. Identify a supportive community or small group that you can join or create to help you stay encouraged and accountable in your ministry efforts. [35:44]

Devotional

Day 1: The 3B Philosophy: Belonging, Believing, and Becoming
Awana's approach to discipleship is built on the 3B philosophy: belonging, believing, and becoming. These elements are essential for fostering lasting faith in children. When children feel they belong, they are more open to believing in the gospel and becoming followers of Jesus. This holistic approach ensures that discipleship is not just about imparting knowledge but also about building a community and nurturing spiritual growth. [08:09]

Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV): "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."

Reflection: Think about a time when you felt a strong sense of belonging in a community. How did that experience impact your faith journey? How can you help foster a sense of belonging for others in your church or community today?

Day 2: The Role of Technology in Discipleship
While technology should never replace the Bible or live teaching, it can be a powerful tool for enhancing the learning experience. Intro videos and Bible story recaps in the Bright curriculum help capture children's attention and aid in memory retention. These tools are designed to supplement live teaching, ensuring that the primary focus remains on direct interaction and relationship-building, which are crucial for effective discipleship. [12:14]

Psalm 78:4 (ESV): "We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done."

Reflection: Consider the ways you currently use technology in your spiritual life. How can you use it more effectively to enhance your understanding of the Bible and strengthen your relationships within your faith community?

Day 3: Global Impact and Cultural Change
Awana's mission extends beyond the U.S., impacting children globally, particularly in Africa, where the curriculum is used in public schools. This has led to significant cultural changes and the spread of the gospel in ways that might be unimaginable in other parts of the world. The use of media and technology has also allowed us to share these stories and inspire others globally. [19:41]

Isaiah 49:6 (ESV): "He says: 'It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.'"

Reflection: Reflect on the global reach of the gospel. How can you support or participate in spreading the message of Jesus to different cultures and communities around the world?

Day 4: Balancing Media and Live Teaching
There is an ongoing debate about the role of media in children's ministry. Awana believes in using media as an enhancement rather than a replacement for live teaching. True discipleship happens in relationships, and while media can aid in storytelling and engagement, the primary teaching should always be live and interactive. This balance ensures that children receive a well-rounded and impactful discipleship experience. [23:09]

1 Thessalonians 2:8 (ESV): "So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us."

Reflection: Think about the balance between media and personal interaction in your own spiritual growth. How can you ensure that your use of media enhances rather than replaces meaningful, live interactions with others in your faith journey?

Day 5: Overcoming Burnout in Ministry
Leaders in children's ministry often face burnout, especially in the aftermath of COVID-19. To overcome this, it's essential to follow Jesus' example of retreating to spend time with God, remembering the mission's "why," and finding a supportive community. These strategies help maintain spiritual strength, motivation, and resilience, ensuring that leaders can continue their vital work effectively. [34:12]

Mark 6:31 (ESV): "And he said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.' For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat."

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you feel close to burnout. What steps can you take today to retreat, reconnect with God, and find support within your community to rejuvenate your spirit and continue your ministry effectively?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Well, I would say the simple answer for that is that we know and believe that the most important thing is the Great Commission, right? That, you know, teaching kids about the gospel. And so we know that that is the most important thing. And so we want to do everything we can to make sure that kids are hearing the word of God. They're hearing this good news, this gospel message." [15:48] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "You see hundreds of kids who are hearing the word of God and it's changing their culture. It, it truly is. And so I think that's one of the things that's just so amazing. You know, we can often almost have blinders on because we're seeing, you know, what's happening in our own little sphere. But to know that God, God is at work across the globe." [19:41] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I believe that, you know, it's, you know, God is at work a hundred percent throughout the whole world. And I believe that we can use some of these tools, to further his kingdom. for sure. I would say, you know, there's some debate certainly in, in the Christian space of whether or not media should be something that we should utilize in, in children's ministry." [21:01] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "I think that video itself is is such an important aspect and component of that. And sometimes, you know, video can help with that, you know, depending on who you have, you know, as as your teacher in your space, you know, video is certainly a way that we can expand our horizons and kids feeling seen and known and knowing that, you know, God is for them." [24:45] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I think that's incredibly important that we are doing that, that we are on our knees daily. Um, and then I would also say, you know, for me, what's helped is, is remembering my why, that passion of why are we doing what we're doing? Um, so for me, what helps is I, I actually have my, my why, and I've encouraged my team to do this same thing, to write out our why and, and to put it somewhere in your office or, you know, somewhere that you see as that reminder, why are we doing what we're doing?" [35:04] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Really, the heart of our ministry is about discipleship. So we are all about discipling kids. And so, as you mentioned, we have our child discipleship forum, which we are big about acronyms here. So CDF is what we call that. And that's really just a gathering space. For leaders around the country, really to hear what is sort of the future of discipleship look like." [05:14] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We talked about what we call our 3B philosophy, which is belonging, believing, and becoming. And with a lot of research we've done behind this to kind of show that when those three things are present, that is what leads to lasting faith. And so that's really, again, that discipleship when we say, what does that word mean? We're throwing that around a lot in this space. What does that look like for us? Discipleship looks like belonging." [08:09] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We know about child development, we know about where they are developmentally and how they learn best, you know, technology and digital media is a part of that. As I said, that's the most important thing. And so we want to do everything we can to make sure that they're digital natives. This is how they have come to learn and grow. So we are, you know, kind of finding a way to find a hybrid of making sure we're still teaching live and we're having that interaction because that relationship is incredibly important in belonging and believing and becoming." [17:17] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "I think one of the benefits of media is the fact that, you know, you can, storytelling is such, I mean, we've seen this a lot in the past, but I think it's in Jesus, right? Like he was, well, all the way back to the Old Testament, but particularly when Jesus was on earth, he was a master storyteller. And we know that story is such a great way to speak to the heart and mind and for kids to, or all people to, to relate." [12:14] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I think that's another thing too that we've really tried to uphold the importance of of accuracy biblical accuracy as well to within particularly our Bible story, you know, recaps to help kids understand and that's that is hard to do through, you know, if you were to have like actors, you know, we don't have this huge, huge budget, you know, we're not setting up this whole movie, you know, seen like, you know, said like a popular series that's out right now, right where they can make this whole movie and set it in the right scene and all that, you know, we can't do that, but we can do that through through through visuals right through graphics." [26:33] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

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Were there any personal stories shared?