Thursday, September 3, 2009

Hiding His Word

Last night was Josiah's FIRST night as a Cubbie in our church's AWANA Club. And if you aren't familiar with AWANA, it's an international, nondenominational, Bible-centered ministry for 3YOs through HS students, and the name comes from 2 Timothy 2:15:

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." Approved-Workmen-Are-Not-Ashamed.

Last night was also Parent VIP Night for the Cubbies, so I was able to sit in his class and observe how he'll be spending his time (6pm-7:45pm every Wednesday)...and Josiah did pretty well considering he one ball of non-stop energy, which is only enhanced when he's around his friends. He began learning his first Cubbies Bible verse: "...God...loved us and sent His Son..." (1 John 4:10), the AWANA Pledge, the Pledge to the Christian Flag, the Pledge to the Bible, and Cubbies song. Each week, Randy and I will work with Josiah to memorize a different verse, thus hiding the Word in his heart. And with each successful verse recall (or series of verses), he will earn a badge to put on his Cubbie Vest, which he'll receive in a couple of weeks.

Randy and I are excited to use this additional opportunity to teach Josiah (and Laney) about Jesus and God's grace (truthfully, I think I'm going to learn just as much). We just can't believe that we have a little one old enough to participate in the Club. 7-8 years ago, before Randy and I were married, we were group leaders for our church's kids program...I remember thinking just how cute, small, and impressionable our Cubbies were....and now we have one.

Kind of a goofy picture....he's learned the art of cheesy smiles.

Photobucket

9 comments:

Trisha said...

I miss Awana! Hayes and I were involved in it when we lived in Blackwell. How fun for Josiah!

Christie O. said...

aww that's so sweet! and so wonderful that he will have an opportunity to know and love God so early.

Sab Mad said...

We love AWANA! How exciting that you have a little cubbbie.

Start getting used to the feeling of "I can't believe we have a child old enough.." I feel like I say that phrase every day!

Dion said...

They are starting an AWANAs here on post. We were torn over getting involved. Maybe we'll check it out.

Cassie said...

I didn't know Josiah was starting AWANA. How cool!

Cindi said...

How great!

tammi said...

Did you know I had NO idea that AWANA stood for anything?! I guess maybe because our church always did the Pioneer Clubs instead, but still. Cool.

It's awesome he's started and that you guys are actively involved in reinforcing what he learns each week and helping him memorize Bible verses. It's so important for kids to memorize scripture while it's still so easy for them ~ it gets considerably harder as one gets older!!

Katie L said...

Awana is such an amazing program! He is so darn cute!

Alexandra said...

So glad he is liking his class!