Advertise on podcast: Awana Clubs Podcast

How do you explain the gospel to a child? In this episode, Dr. Ed Gossien shares practical, biblical guidance for communicating the good news with clarity and confidence. Learn how to use Scripture as your guide, avoid confusing “Christianese,” answer difficult questions, and help children understand that salvation is a free gift through faith in Jesus—not something they earn. Whether you’re a new leader or have served for years, this conversation will encourage you to trust God with the results while faithfully sharing His truth. Show Notes: YouTube Video: How to use the Gospel Wheel Gospel Wheel printables Video training and downloadable PDFs to equip you to share the Gospel with children, including: Age-Appropriate Ways to Share the Gospel Belong, Believe, Become in Light of the Gospel When a Child Says Yes to Jesus Help is an email or phone call away! Call (866) 292-6227 or email [email protected]. For questions or local training, visit missionary.awana.org to contact your local missionary. The post Sharing the Gospel with Confidence: Practical Help for Every Leader appeared first on Child Discipleship.

How can churches create safe spaces where kids can truly thrive? In this episode, Linnea Sandvall sits down with Curt Hale to talk about the importance of minor abuse prevention in churches and children’s ministries. Together, they discuss practical onboarding steps for leaders and student volunteers, digital safety considerations, and how healthy policies protect kids, leaders, families, and churches alike.  Whether your church has a fully developed policy or is just beginning the conversation, this episode offers practical guidance and encouragement for building a culture where kids feel safe, valued, and loved. Show Notes and Resources: Brite Webinar – “Top 10 Mistakes Church Leaders Make Regarding Minor Abuse Prevention” preventabuse.com praesidiuminc.com protectmyministry.com     The post Creating Safe Spaces for Kids in Our Awana Clubs appeared first on Child Discipleship.

Parents play a vital role in their child’s spiritual growth, and Awana wants to come alongside them. In this episode, Shawna Murlin introduces AwanaClubsParents.com, a new resource hub designed to help parents disciple their kids at home by providing easy access to handbook resources, Scripture memory tools, parent guides, and more—all in one place! Show Notes: Help is an email or phone call away! Call (866) 292-6227 or email [email protected]. Check out AwanaClubsParents.com to see the resource hub for yourself!   The post Introducing AwanaClubsParents.com appeared first on Child Discipleship.

As you prepare for a new Awana club year, discover the latest resources available in the 2026–2027 Awana Clubs Catalog. Linnea Sandvall and Steph Bradac highlight new products, returning favorites, and practical tools—including Game Time resources, special needs ministry materials, Grand Prix updates, leader apparel, and more—to help your club thrive. Show Notes: Help is an email or phone call away! Call (866) 292-6227 or email [email protected]. Resources Mentioned: Shop Awana Clubs Products 2026–2027 Awana Clubs Catalog Awana Affiliated Apparel Site New 2026-2027 Product Webinar Awana Clubs Podcast: Special Needs Ministry The post What’s New in the 2026–2027 Awana Clubs Catalog appeared first on Child Discipleship.

When leaders go missing and every kid still shows up, it can feel overwhelming — but you’re not alone. In this episode, Linnea Sandvall shares both encouragement and practical strategies for navigating short-staffed club nights with confidence. You’ll be reminded that your club belongs to God and nothing catches Him off guard, while also learning how clear expectations, strong communication, backup plans, and flexibility can turn chaotic evenings into meaningful discipleship moments. Whether your leader roster is full or running thin, this conversation will equip you to stay calm, get creative, and trust God to provide exactly what you need. Show Notes: Help is an email or phone call away! Call (866) 292-6227 or email [email protected]. For questions or local training, visit missionary.awana.org to contact your local missionary. To find training and resources, visit AwanaBasics.Awana.org and AwanaClubs.org. The post When Leaders Go Missing appeared first on Child Discipleship.

In this episode of the Awana Clubs Podcast, Shanna Hand—wife, mom, teacher, and a children’s ministry leader with 25 years of experience serving kids and families—shares practical insight for serving kids with special needs. This conversation offers practical, ready-to-use tools and strategies to help you better support and include kids with special needs in your Awana Club. You’ll walk away with practical ideas that you can implement right away to create a Club environment where every child feels known, valued, and able to grow in Christ. Show Notes: Help is an email or phone call away! Call (866) 292-6227 or email [email protected]. For questions or local training, visit missionary.awana.org to contact your local missionary. To find training and resources, visit AwanaBasics.Awana.org and AwanaClubs.org. The post Special Needs & Your Awana Club appeared first on Child Discipleship.

In this episode, Linnea Sandvall talks with Awana Ministry Director Aubrie Hendee about how clubs can support kids and families with prayer, grace and practical care—while consistently pointing kids to Jesus. You’ll hear real-life examples and encouragement to lead with relationship, flexibility, and a long-term view of discipleship. Show Notes: Help is an email or phone call away! Call (866) 292-6227 or email [email protected]. For questions or local training, visit missionary.awana.org to contact your local missionary. To find training and resources, visit AwanaBasics.Awana.org and AwanaClubs.org. The post How Your Awana Club Can Support Hurting Families appeared first on Child Discipleship.

Kids may bring big emotions into church—fear, uncertainty, questions, and stress from the world around them. In this episode, Linnea Sandvall encourages Awana Club leaders to make their Awana Club a steady, safe place where kids are consistently pointed to God’s faithfulness. You’ll hear practical ways to model God’s peace, point kids to His character and promises, share stories of biblical courage, and listen with empathy. When leaders trust God, kids learn they can too. Show Notes: Help is an email or phone call away! Call (866) 292-6227 or email [email protected]. For questions or local training, visit missionary.awana.org to contact your local missionary. To find training and resources, visit AwanaBasics.Awana.org and AwanaClubs.org. The post Pointing Kids to Jesus When Life Feels Unsteady appeared first on Child Discipleship.

Whether you’re new to Awana or a seasoned volunteer, this episode will rekindle your passion for small group discipleship. In this episode, Linnea Sandvall and Kris Wood explore why small group time is the heartbeat of every Awana Club. Through inspiring stories and practical insight, you’ll discover how small groups help kids belong, believe, and become more like Jesus. Hear how creating safe spaces, showing up consistently, and sharing the gospel in simple ways can lead to lasting transformation—for both kids and leaders alike. Show Notes: Help is an email or phone call away! Call (866) 292-6227 or email [email protected]. For questions or local training, visit missionary.awana.org to contact your local missionary. Click here to see the small group resources in the Awana online store. The post Belong, Believe, Become: The Power of Small Group appeared first on Child Discipleship.

In this episode, Linnea Sandvall sits down with Shawna Murlin, Awana’s Lead Developer for Awana Clubs, to talk about how small group time can move beyond structure and routine into real discipleship. Hear stories, strategies, and encouragement to help every small group leader create spaces where kids feel known, ask meaningful questions, and experience God’s love in personal ways. Show Notes: Help is an email or phone call away! Call (866) 292-6227 or email [email protected]. For questions or local training, visit missionary.awana.org to contact your local missionary. Click here to see the small group resources in the Awana online store. The post Small Group, Big Impact: Creating Space for Discipleship appeared first on Child Discipleship.

Small group time is where discipleship thrives, relationships grow, and kids learn to belong, believe, and become more like Jesus. In this episode, Linnea Sandvall shares practical tips and ideas to help you make small group time the highlight of club. Discover how to build meaningful connections, guide kids through Scripture, ask great questions, and create a safe, joyful space where faith can take root and grow. Show Notes: Help is an email or phone call away! Call (866) 292-6227 or email [email protected]. For questions or local training, visit missionary.awana.org to contact your local missionary. Click here to see the small group resources in the Awana online store. The post Practical Tips for Leading Small Groups with Purpose and Impact appeared first on Child Discipleship.

Looking for practical ways to engage parents in your Awana ministry? In this episode, Linnea Sandvall shares practical ways to partner with parents in your Awana Club—from building relationships and communicating well to creative ideas like parent nights and weekly faith questions. Equip families to grow in faith together. Show Notes: Help is an email or phone call away! Call (866) 292-6227 or email [email protected]. For questions or local training, visit missionary.awana.org to contact your local missionary. The post Practical Ways to Build Stronger Relationships with Parents appeared first on Child Discipleship.

In this episode, Linnea Sandvall talks with Mike Crouse, Awana Ministry Director and Grand Prix Commissioner at First Baptist Kettering in Dayton, Ohio. Together, they share how the Awana Grand Prix can be more than just a race—it’s a fun, hands-on way to bring families together, strengthen your club community, and share the gospel. You’ll hear practical ideas for organizing your event, helping every child participate, and keeping the focus on what matters most—connection, creativity, and Christ. Show Notes: Help is an email or phone call away! Call (866) 292-6227 or email [email protected]. For questions or local training, visit missionary.awana.org to contact your local missionary. To learn more about hosting a Grand Prix in your church, visit AwanaClubs.org/Grand-Prix. To see what is available in our online store, click here. If you would like to purchase a track for your church, check out BestTrack.com. You can explore the race management tool that Michael refers to if you go to DerbyNet.org. The post Hosting a Grand Prix That Reaches Families and Builds Community appeared first on Child Discipleship.

In this episode, Linnea Sandvall talks with Awana leader Jamie Bazil about the power of outreach in children’s ministry. Jamie shares creative ways her club connects with their community—from “Give Back Month” and blessing boxes to Operation Christmas Child and family Grand Prix events. They explore how outreach through Awana naturally reaches entire families, the importance of partnering with parents, and how a simple invitation from a child can open the door for lifelong discipleship. Whether you’re looking for new ideas or fresh encouragement, this conversation will inspire you to see your Awana Club as a hub for reaching your community for Jesus. Show Notes: Help is an email or phone call away! Call (866) 292-6227 or email [email protected]. For questions or local training, visit missionary.awana.org to contact your local missionary. Click here to learn about holding a verse-a-thon in your church. To learn more about having a Grand Prix, visit AwanaClubs.org/Grand-Prix. The post Outreach That Grows Faith—and Your Club appeared first on Child Discipleship.

Parents and caregivers play a vital role in a child’s discipleship journey—and your Awana Club can help strengthen that connection. In this episode, Linnea Sandvall talks with Shawna Murlin about the brand-new Parent Welcome Booklet and how it equips churches to introduce families to Awana. From ways parents can engage with their kids’ handbooks to tools for sharing the gospel, this conversation will inspire you in your outreach to parents. Show Notes: Help is an email or phone call away! Call (866) 292-6227 or email [email protected]. For questions or local training, visit missionary.awana.org to contact your local missionary. Click here to find the Parent Welcome Booklet in the Awana.org/store. The post Partnering with Parents: A New Resource for Your Awana Club appeared first on Child Discipleship.