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We all want to see kids develop a resilient faith that can withstand the world’s pressures. As you disciple those entrusted to you, use the 60 ideas below to encourage kids to develop the resilient faith they need for life. Each item listed is based on the Awana 3B ministry philosophy of Belong, Believe and Become.
60 Ways to Help Kids:
Belong to God and His kingdom
1. Call children by name.
2. Ask kids to share highs and lows from their week.
3. Get down on the child’s level when speaking to them.
4. Welcome children with fist bumps, high fives, etc.
5. Learn the names of the kids’ parents and siblings.
6. Play games together.
7. Celebrate holidays with your group.
8. Ask kids how their week is going.
9. Encourage kids, whether they succeed or fail.
10. Always have a listening ear.
11. Learn the context of your kids’ lives.
12. Start prayer request notebooks for all the kids.
13. Greet parents and kids by name and with a genuine smile.
14. Share Scripture that encourages and strengthens kids and families.
15. Pray with kids about the things they care about.
16. Share smiles and giggles with kids; have fun and laugh together.
17. Intentionally draw in kids who are often on the sidelines.
18. Find shared goals with parents.
19. Find common ground to connect and relate with your youth.
20. Recognize birthdays at club and through the mail.
Believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
1. Help kids memorize Scripture through creative means.
2. Ask engaging questions.
3. Teach why the Bible is trustworthy.
4. Act out Bible stories.
5. Have spare Bibles available.
6. Read from the Bible while teaching.
7. Pray with the kids.
8. Use quizzes to help kids understand Scripture and apply it to their lives.
9. Make lesson times engaging and interactive.
10. Ask every leader to notice kids who need a Bible, gift them one and read it with them.
11. Have students bring their Bibles and read verses from their Bibles.
12. Engage children in Bible lessons by teaching to their learning styles.
13. Encourage kids to memorize God’s Word using hand gestures, songs or movements.
14. Teach kids to look to the Bible for answers and not the world.
15. Help kids use a concordance to gain more understanding.
16. Ask comprehension questions.
17. Make your club a safe place to ask questions.
18. Point everything back to God’s Word and His story of redemption.
19. Help kids consider what the Bible says about God/themselves/others
20. Share the Gospel clearly.
Become like Jesus and walk in His ways through the power of the Holy Spirit
1. Pray with them.
2. Encourage them to tell a friend about Jesus and ask them to church.
3. Involve kids in planning club nights.
4. Model Christlike behavior while interacting with children and leaders.
5. Be a prayer warrior.
6. Involve kids in simple tasks like setting up.
7. Have kids pray for their pastor and church leaders.
8. Let students choose a day to lead Large Group Time.
9. Have leaders share their personal faith stories.
10. Teach how Jesus did practical things that they can do too.
11. Pray out loud with your student.
12. Walk with kids through grief and trauma, pointing them to God’s truth.
13. Pray and read the Bible together.
14. Explain how we can be a light to others.
15. Talk about prayer and how to pray.
16. Give kids an opportunity to practice sharing the Gospel.
17. Let kids help plan community and church outreach opportunities.
18. When necessary, walk kids through reconciliation and forgiveness.
19. Teach the joy of serving.
20. Challenge leaders and kids to share a verse with others.
Learn more about the Awana 3B ministry philosophy by reading our latest books, including the award-winning Forming Faith. You can find them all at awana.org/shop.
