Awana

[Castello]

I am sorry for the deaths in your circle of friends.

You might wish to contact the Diocese - simply google your city/country and Catholic Diocese - ask for the Office of Religious Education. Churches are required to provide Religious Education of some kind to the parishioners. You may find that something is out there.

Prayers for you.

 

[brenzgrove]

The little boy is my cousin and it was my older brother who passed 5 days later. Thank you for your condolences and prayers I will enquire at our diocese headquarters.

 

[Cable]

Dear Friends,
I could not believe the words I read I saw on this forum tonight. I am a leader of this hersey you call AWANA. I really feel that you have it all wrong. You really made us sound almost like a cult. First of all, AWANA teaches something that every child needs to hear. GOD loves them and he sent his only son JESUS to die for their sins. I am not here to critize your belief in the pope, but the bible cleary states that GOD wants a personal relationship with you. He wants it with you and not through the pope or through anyone who has died - “saints”. I really am sorry that you don’t see that. I am sure the pope is really a great leader and loves the Lord, but he can not get you into heaven. There is only one perfect man that ever lived and I am sorry but it is not now nor has it ever been the pope. Only Jesus can. What is wrong with sending your children to AWANA to hear and memorize GOD’s word - nothing. Please, if you don’t care about your salvation, at least let your kids choose theirs.
In Christ

I can appreciate your feelings, sort of, however, you’re misrepresenting what the Catholic Church teaches about Jesus, salvation, the Eucharist, Sacred Scripture, Pope Benedict, the Communion of Saints. If you know what the Catholic Church actually teaches, then I think you’ll see why parents have reservations about or deny sending their baptized-Catholic children to AWANA. Have you ever read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, or Catholicism for Dummies ('not meant as an insult) - There are mountains of Catholic writings about the faith, but if you’ll pardon the title, the “Dummies” book, states many Catholic beliefs and practices in a quick-read format. (And it even carries the Impramatur, Nihil Obstat which says a Catholic Bishop finds the book doesn’t contain errors about the Christian Faith.)

I can’t say enough about studying and emulating the lives of the Saints, who are nothing more, and nothing less, than our Christian brothers, who went before us and led exemplary lives for Jesus. Something we’re called to do.

Btw: A person can’t get more “personal” with God, this side of heaven, than the Holy Eucharist.

 

[guerlane]

Dear Friends,
I could not believe the words I read I saw on this forum tonight. I am a leader of this hersey you call AWANA. I really feel that you have it all wrong. You really made us sound almost like a cult. First of all, AWANA teaches something that every child needs to hear. GOD loves them and he sent his only son JESUS to die for their sins. I am not here to critize your belief in the pope, but the bible cleary states that GOD wants a personal relationship with you. He wants it with you and not through the pope or through anyone who has died - “saints”. I really am sorry that you don’t see that. I am sure the pope is really a great leader and loves the Lord, but he can not get you into heaven. There is only one perfect man that ever lived and I am sorry but it is not now nor has it ever been the pope. Only Jesus can. What is wrong with sending your children to AWANA to hear and memorize GOD’s word - nothing. Please, if you don’t care about your salvation, at least let your kids choose theirs.
In Christ

Chad, what you wrote above is the exact reason I won’t send my Catholic child to AWANA again. Your defense of your program is to criticize the Catholic church and the position of the Pope. You also basically say that we all of us don’t agree with your faith and your belief that we are wrong and you feel sorry for us. The last bit about our children only being saved by AWANA or your belief structure as opposed to being Catholic is pretty representative of what I’ve seen of your group.

It seems that it would be perfectly acceptable to have a child brought up with the belief that they are “saved” but they’re parents are not.

I would have been more moved if you mentioned that not all AWANA groups are alike but they are supposed to be non-denominational as the AWANA web site states. That AWANA’s purpose was to bring all Christian children together (regardless of religion) and have them build community together and share a love of Jesus and his teachings. That this is an opportunity for young people that don’t go to religious schools to come together, play games, have fun, pray, and see that’s it’s ok to be a person of faith. It’s ok to love Jesus Christ. It’s ok to pray. That’s it’s a place for children to learn to turn to God to help solve problems and to learn that it’s ok to be a religious person in a secular world.

But you’ve said none of this because ultimately I don’t believe that AWANA’s mission is any of the above. What you did say is much more representative. AWANA is an evangelistic conversion tool for children to a particular Christian religion. That appears to be the purpose.

I think it would be much more honest and upfront if this was said outright on the AWANA website and in the literature.

 

[TxCasp]

I am Protestant, and have been a ‘leader’ in AWANA for several years. To be honest I had no idea there was such adversity for Catholics and AWANA, until reading posts on this.
Obviously there are Protestants who are anti Catholic and visa versa and these beliefs will leak across when those with such beliefs are teaching/preaching/conversing. BUT the AWANA program itself is not anti Catholic at all.
As I said for years I have lead in the program- In Cubbies, Sparks and the T&T- I have read all the books. I have listened to all the verses. I attended a leaders training in Chicago at the AWANA headquarters. I have been ‘certified’ at a leader trainer, and have trained in conferences. Never ever have I seen written, nor heard any Catholic bashing or that a Catholic is not a Christian. Granted the Grace scriptures in the AWANA memorization books could contradict the scriptures/teachings the Catholics use to support Catholic beliefs, because Grace is usually the leading belief of Protestants. AWANA is a Protestant belief based program.
There is never a time as a leader of AWANA does the religion of a child or their family enter in. The only goal of AWANA is to reach children with the Gospel of Christ. If this is not what a Catholic teaches in their church*-John 3:1616 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life*. Then AWANA is not for you.
Many have commented that it is dependent upon the Protestant/leader you are dealing with, this is the truth. This is true with anyone ‘of religion’. We all Protestant and Catholic can take advantage of our position in leadership and can step over a line and begin to try to preach our beliefs. This is why a parent needs to always be aware and involved with their child. Within the Protestant ‘world’ many believe differently, I try to be very careful to not muddle Gods word with my belief when I am teaching. I make mistakes, though, as do others, but God’s grace is sufficient to protect everyone from me.
AWANA is not evil nor anti Catholic. It is protestant based and the basis is God’s word, grace and salvation not through works but Christ alone. If this contradicts or causes conflict I would suggest to not participate in AWANA[BIBLEDRB][/BIBLEDRB]

 

[1ke]

five year old thread.

 

[Happy_Convert]

I think I agree with the others here who are saying that it largely depends upon the church in question. Before I converted, I served in the Awana program for quite a while. This program is Protestant in its outlook and primarily emphasizes the memorization of scripture. Some of the doctrines which the children are taught are likely to be problematic from a Catholic point of view. For example, the rosary and other Marian devotions are not likely to be part of the program. Furthermore, teachings on things like Holy Communion (the Lord’s Supper in Protestant Churches), of course, differ radically from those of the Catholic Church. If your children becomes confused concering their faith, you will need to clarify what the Catholic Church teaches, and perhaps, reconsider their involvment in the Awana program. Having said all that, I don’t specifically remember any overtly anti-Catholic teachings during the Awana program. If the church in question is driven by an anti-Catholic agenda, then the chances are good that the Awana program will be as well. I would definitely protect my child from such a potentially negative influence. :twocents:

 

[Holly3278]

I would definitely not recommend that a Catholic parent send their child to AWANA. AWANA is a Protestant program and as such they are going to be teaching your children false doctrine such as “Sola Scriptura” and “Salvation by faith alone” and other doctrine that is false. They may not be anti-Catholic but they will undoubtedly, even if not intentionally, put doubts in your child’s head about his/her Catholic beliefs. So yeah, definitely do not send your child to AWANA.

I personally feel that I am called to the vocation of the single life and as such I will probably never have children but if I do end up married and have children, my children will definitely not be going to AWANA or any Protestant Bible School or anything of the sort under any circumstances. If I have a child in the future, my child will not only be taught the basics of the Catholic faith but also how to defend his/her faith against anti-Catholic teaching. In other words, if I have a child in the future, my child will be taught apologetics in addition to the basics of the Catholic faith. I want any children I have to be well equipped to not only defend his/her Catholic faith but also be well equipped to quench any doubts that any Evangelical or other Protestant may put in their minds about Catholicism.

 

[brenzgrove]

Well my daughter has been attending for several months now and we have been treated very very well. Even our 3 year old autistic child has been invited to special gatherings. My daughter has noticed on her own and commented to me though, that they never talk about Mary at Awanas. I have a great rapport with her sparkies leader and I have spoken to her about our beliefs. She has assured me that there will no catholic “bashing” going on. Of course I will continue to speak with my child about what they are learning and I have been invited to join in any time. She enjoys the children’s liturgy equally well so so far I am comfortable to continue on with Awanas. I expect next year when she has her first communion though, there may be some discrepancies to address. The Sparkies leader gave me a bible verse daily calendar. She told me it may not be the version we use but she hoped that It would help me get my daily scriptures read and help me with my prayer intentions. I thought that was very nice.

 

[Castello]

Well my daughter has been attending for several months now and we have been treated very very well. Even our 3 year old autistic child has been invited to special gatherings. My daughter has noticed on her own and commented to me though, that they never talk about Mary at Awanas. I have a great rapport with her sparkies leader and I have spoken to her about our beliefs. She has assured me that there will no catholic “bashing” going on. Of course I will continue to speak with my child about what they are learning and I have been invited to join in any time. She enjoys the children’s liturgy equally well so so far I am comfortable to continue on with Awanas. I expect next year when she has her first communion though, there may be some discrepancies to address. The Sparkies leader gave me a bible verse daily calendar. She told me it may not be the version we use but she hoped that It would help me get my daily scriptures read and help me with my prayer intentions. I thought that was very nice.

Ask how often they do “altar calls” and ask the kids to get saved.

 

[TxCasp]

If an altar call is a part of AWANA meeting the club is not following AWANA club standards.
There is not (should not be) opportunity to have alter call in AWANA club. AWANA is non denominational . Even within Protestant churches there are far too many doctrines to accommodate, without stepping on toes with alter calls, baptisms etc.

AWANA should consist of: Flag Ceremony: Pledge of allegiance to American Flag, pledge to AWANA flag,(Member creed) prayer , announcements if any.(Cubbies have ‘ceremony’ separate)
Game time: games are around a circle and they ‘compete’ by team colors, sometimes coed, dependent on size of club.(Cubbies do not game time)
Book Time: each student recites the verses they studied the previous week from their AWANA book, be it T & T or Sparks, or Cubbies.
Council Time: A leader will give a talk, not necessarily a sermon, more of a blurb of how to be a Christian example. Missionaries and various inspirational celebrities could also be the speakers.
Cubbies do not have council time usually, they have 'Cubbie" a puppet give them their teaser to the Bible story that is taught with felt board. The Felt Board stories are basically the same stories we OLD people had when it was allowed in public schools.- Good Samaritan, Daniel and Lions Den, Palm Sunday, Jesus Birth, Jesus Crucifixion, etc.

AWANA club usually meets sometime during the week for a couple o hours. At times it is on Sunday’s, dependent on the church that is hosting the club. AWANA is a hosted club, just as the Boy Scouts club that meets in ones church. The leaders of the club do usually attend the church that is hosting, so that doctrine would be a prominent idea in those leaders minds. BUT baptism, alter calls, church activities are not a part of AWANA.

 

[Castello]

Your post led me to read the Creed of AWANA. That is a cut and dried as you need. No Catholic can participate in a group if this is the Creed. It flies in the face of Catholicism:

Doctrinal Statement

AWANA DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

THE BIBLE

We believe that the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is supernaturally inspired, so that it is inerrant in the original manuscripts and preserved by God in its verbal and plenary inspiration, so that it is a divinely authoritative standard for every age and every life. (Matthew 5:18; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21)

GOD

We believe in one God that eternally exists and reveals Himself in three persons - Father, Son, Holy Spirit - having each the same nature, attributes and perfections, worthy of the same worship and confidence. (Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; John 1:1-2, 14, 10:30,

14:15-17; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

We believe in God as absolute and sole Creator and Sustainer of the universe, and that creation was by divine command, from nothing and not through an evolutionary process. (John 1:3, 10; Acts 17:24-25; Genesis 1:1)

We believe that God, by His sovereign choice and out of love for men, sent Christ into the world to save sinners. (John 3:16;

1 Timothy 1:15; 1 John 4:14)

GOD THE SON

We believe that Jesus Christ was fully God in the flesh and fully man, that He was born of a virgin and that He lived a sinless life, in which He taught and performed mighty works and wonders and signs exactly as revealed in the four gospels. We believe that He was crucified, shed His blood, died to pay the penalty for our sins and was raised bodily from the dead on the third day. Forty days later He ascended to the Father’s right hand where He is Head of the Church and intercedes for believers. From there He is coming again personally, bodily and visibly to this earth to set up His millennial kingdom. (Isaiah 7:14, 9:6; Hebrews 1:1-2, 7:25; Luke 1:30-35; Ephesians 4:8; John 1:1-5, 10-14, 14:3; Colossians 2:9;

1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 1:3,11; Revelation 20:4)

GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person and is God, possessing all the divine attributes. He convicts of sin, regenerates, indwells, baptizes and seals all believers at the moment of their salvation, filling them in response to yieldedness with the goal of conforming them to the image of Christ. (John 3:5, 16:7-11; Acts 5:3-4; Ephesians 1:13, 4:30, 5:18; 1 Corinthians 6:19, 12:13)

MAN

We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam’s sin the race fell, inherited a sinful nature and became alienated from God. We believe that all men are morally corrupt, and of themselves utterly unable to remedy their lost condition. (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 1:18, 3:23, 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3, 12)

SALVATION

We believe that salvation is a gift of God and is received by man through personal faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for sin. We believe that man is justified by grace through faith apart from works and that all true believers, once saved, are kept secure in Christ forever. (Acts 13:38-39; Romans 4:5, 6:23, 8:1, 38-39; John 10:27-29; Ephesians 2:8-9)

THE CHURCH

We believe that the true Church is composed of all persons who are regenerated by the Holy Spirit through saving faith in Jesus Christ; that they are united together in the body of Christ of which He is Lord and Head; and are commissioned for the God-given tasks of worshiping, fellowshipping, teaching, evangelizing and exercising the spiritual gifts. (Acts 2:42,47; Romans 12:5; Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:23-24; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 11:2)

We believe that the establishment and continuance of the local church is clearly taught in the New Testament Scriptures. (Acts 14:27, 20:17, 28-32; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11)

We believe that the local church is autonomous and free of any external authority or control. (Acts 13:1-4, 20:28; Romans 16:1, 4; 1 Corinthians 3:9, 16, 5:4-7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1-4)

THE ORDINANCES

We believe the ordinances for the believer are water baptism by immersion and the Lord’s supper as a memorial. They are, however, not to be regarded as a means of salvation. But both of which are an evidence of obedience and fellowship with the Lord. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38, 41, 8:12, 35-38; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29)

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

We believe that a Christian should walk in holiness and not after the flesh, with the goal of being conformed to the image of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As a new creation, walking in the Spirit, the Christian learns to grow in faith, in obedience to Scripture, in prayer, in fellowship with the saints and in a life of service. We believe that the Christian will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to have his life evaluated according to his deeds. (Galatians 5:16-26; Hebrews 10:25; Ephesians 4:20-24; Hebrews 11:6, 12:1-2; John 17:17; Ephesians 6:18; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15)

THE SECOND COMING

We believe in the personal, premillennial and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, of the believer to everlasting glory and the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Titus 2:11-13; John 14:1-6; Matthew 25:46; Revelation 20:11-15; 2 Peter 3:10)

AWANA CLUBS INTERNATIONAL www.awana.org/WeBelieve.asp.