You're making an eternal difference.

Every week, you show up for kids. You learn their names, cheer on their verses, and point them to Jesus, often after a long day of your own. Thank you. What you do matters more than you know.

Tips from other leaders Printables Game ideas

Kids and leaders together at an Awana club

Dear leader,

We know some club nights are hard. The lesson didn't go as planned, a kid wouldn't sit still, and you drove home wondering if any of it stuck.

It did. Kids may not remember every lesson, but they remember the grown-up who knew their name, listened to their stories and cheered when they finally said that verse. Years from now, many of them will still carry the Scripture you helped them learn.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9, NIV)

You don't have to be perfect. You just have to keep showing up with the love of Jesus. Notice the small wins: the shy kid who joined the game, the big question asked in small group. They add up to something eternal.

And please take care of your own soul too. Rest. Read God's Word for yourself. Let others encourage you the way you encourage your kids.

We're so grateful for you.

Your Awana family

P.S. This week, try praying for one kid from your group each day, by name. Our free prayer card below makes it easy.

A fresh word of encouragement every month, written just for the people who make club night happen.

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September 1, 2026

Tried-and-true ideas from club nights everywhere, for each part of the evening.

Small group: where kids belong

Small group is where kids feel they belong, and you're their steady, safe grown-up. Learn every name and use it often. Ask open questions and really listen, even to the long story about a pet hamster. End by praying for each other.

Try this week: ask each kid one question about their life before you open the handbook.

Young kids at an Awana Cubbies club at church

Verses that stick

Memorizing is wonderful, but understanding is the goal. Break verses into small chunks, add hand motions or a tune, then ask, "What does this verse tell us about God?" Celebrate every verse said, big or small.

Try this week: have kids teach the verse motions to a parent at pickup.

Game time is discipleship too

Game time is fun, and it's discipleship too. Kids learn teamwork and kindness alongside their friends. Explain rules quickly, pull in the kid on the edge, and cheer effort, not just winners. No gym? Simple games work anywhere.

Try this week: before the game, name one way the team can show kindness.

Sharing the good news

You don't need a perfect speech. Point to Scripture and walk through the Gospel Wheel: who God is, who we are, what Jesus did, and our response to trust Him. Share your own story, and celebrate when a child trusts Christ. See it laid out on our Know Jesus page.

Try this week: share in a sentence or two how you came to trust Jesus.

Print these at home or at church. They're free for any Awana leader to use.

Pray for My Kids card

One kid a day, Monday through Sunday. Write a name on each line, check it off when you've prayed, and jot a note about how they're doing.

Download the prayer card (PDF)

Small group verse tracker

A simple 10-week chart for your small group. Write each week's verse at the top and check off kids as they say it.

Download the verse tracker (PDF)

Verse game and puzzles

Type in this week's verse to print a word search, fill-in-the-blank or scramble for early arrivals, or copy a link so kids can play the verse game at home.

Make a puzzle Play the verse game

Verse coloring sheets

For Cubbies® and Sparks®: type in this week's verse, pick a picture and print a coloring sheet for your group, or send the link home to parents.

Make a coloring sheet

Real situations from club night, with simple next steps.

A child wants to trust Jesus. What do I do?

Celebrate, and slow down. Find a quiet spot in view of other leaders. Ask what they understand in their own words, and walk through the Gospel Wheel with Scripture. Let them pray in their own words, with no pressure and no script. Then tell your club director and the child's parents so they can celebrate and keep the conversation going. See the Gospel Wheel

One kid keeps disrupting small group.

Most disruption is a kid asking for attention or a job. Seat them near you, give them a role (verse checker, book passer), and catch them doing something right. Keep expectations short and the same every week. If it keeps happening, talk with your director and then with a parent, together.

A kid asked a Bible question I can't answer.

That's okay! Say, "Great question. Let's find out together." Write it down, ask your pastor or director, and bring the answer back next week. Kids learn so much from seeing a grown-up keep learning.

A child told me something that worries me.

Stay calm and listen. Don't promise to keep it a secret, and don't ask a lot of questions. Tell your club director right away and follow your church's child safety policy, including any reporting your state requires. How clubs keep kids safe

A child is struggling to learn verses.

Every child learns differently. Break the verse into small chunks, add hand motions, and celebrate any progress. Send families the link to our verse game or a coloring sheet of that week's verse so they can practice at home. Verse game · Coloring sheets

I'm worn out. How do I keep going?

You're not alone, and you're not meant to do this alone. Take a week off when you need it, ask your director to share the load, and spend time in God's Word for yourself. Read this month's leader note above, and let someone encourage you the way you encourage your kids.

Not a leader yet? Clubs are always looking for caring adults. And for a little weekly encouragement at home, check out our Family Devos.

Become a leader Family Devos