AWANA

This past Wednesday evening was Keith and Lauren's last night of AWANA at Noonday. Keith and Lauren went to AWANA this school year and really enjoyed it. Lauren was a Cubbie and Keith helped with the TNT boys. Lauren enjoyed the crafts and singing and the Bible verses. She really enjoyed reading the Cubbie story every week at home.
AWANA stands for Approved Workman Are Not Ashamed (II Tim. 2:15). I went to AWANA when I was growing up too at my church - Grace Baptist. I started when I was in the 5th grade. I was a Chum, and our motto was "The other girl for Christ." I don't think they have Chum's anymore; I think they called it something else now. The best thing about AWANA is the Scripture memory. I also learned a lot of Bible verses at Grace Christian school, which was part of our church. I went there for the first eight years. I still remember a lot of the verses I memorized. Memorizing Scripture provided such a strong foundation for my faith. It helped me so much as I got older and began to doubt my faith. When I doubted my faith and had challenging questions or people would try to question the Bible and my faith, I knew to go to God's word to find the answers. And the Lord brings Scripture to my mind when I am having a bad day and have completely lost a Godly perpective.
Lauren finished her book of Scripture memory verses. I am so pleased that Lauren is learning to memorize Scripture. It is so important. Looking back on the year, I realized just how fast the weeks went by and I often did not help Lauren learn her memory verse until Wednesday afternoon. I wish I had been more consistant about helping Lauren with her verse more often during the week.
I pray that Lauren will continue to "hide God's word in her heart, that she might not sin against God." God's word is "alive and active" and the Holy Spirit uses it to change our hearts and minds and ultimately our lives. God - please help our family to make your word and memorizing your word a priority. Help Keith and I to set an example.