Timothy: A Young Missionary for God

Timothy probably became a Christian during the Apostle Paul’s first mis-sionary journey to Lystra (Read Acts 16: 1-5). After becoming a believer, Timothy joined Paul on his two other missionary journeys. Although Timothy struggled with shyness and experienced others looking down on his youthfulness, Paul saw tremendous potential in Timothy. There were several occasions where Timothy became Paul’s special represen-tative and Paul left Timothy in Ephesus to oversee a new church there. Paul describes his feelings for Timothy in Philippians 2:20-22 (Take a moment to read these verses in your Bible).

Paul and Timothy were obeying Christ’s command to preach the gospel to the world. (Read Matthew 28:18-20). They were some of the first missionaries. Together they enjoyed seeing people become believers and grieved when people rejected the gospel message.

Although you are young, you can become involved in missions too through the Awana Adopt-a-Club program. You can help childrenoverseas come to know Christ. Just follow these easy steps.

Idea 1: Pick a Country or Region of the World

Visit the Awana International website at www.awanainternational.org.

1. Go to www.awanainternational.org/awanaaroundtheworld. A world map will appear. Click on the regions at the bottom of the map to learn about Awana around the globe.

2. On each regional page of the world map read some of the stories about clubbers in other countries.

3. Go to www.awanainternational.org and under the button titled “Pray” click on the link that says “Awana Around the World”. A list of coun-tries will appear. The countries are organized by region. Next to each country you will see the number of churches using Awana in that coun-try and the number of children being reached for Christ.

4. Ask God to help you choose a country or region where you can help kids hear about Jesus. After you have chosen a country or region, go back to the of the page at www.awanainternational.org and click on “Countries”.

At the top left hand side of the page there is a drop down menu where you can click on a country. Click on the country you have chosen.

The Adopt-a-Club (AAC) service project is designed to help clubbers become involved in missions overseas. Please print this document and review it with your clubber. If you have any questions, please call Sheryl Nuygen at: 800-222-9262.

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)Don’t let anyone look down onyou because you are young,but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

T&T Passport: AAC Service Project

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5. Read about Awana in that country: When did Awana start? What do kids like to do for fun? What do people eat? How do children celebrate their birthdays? What are the names of the Awana missionaries for that country?

6. If there are newsletters, click on the link for each newsletter and read more about the Awana ministry in that country.

Idea 2: Pray for the Country You Have Chosen

Prayer is the most important thing you can do to help reach children for Christ in other countries.

1. Write a prayer to God for the people in the country you have chosen. The people of that country will need prayer for:

• God to open their hearts so they will accept Christ as their Savior• Leaders to be trained to share the gospel with kids• Parents to take their children to church• Good health and safe travel for the missionaries • Peace in the country • God to help you raise funds to help spread the gospel

2. Spend time each day for the next week saying the prayer you have written. Encourage you family members to pray too.

3. Go to www.awanainternational.org and click the “Pray” button. Click on a region of the world for a monthly prayer calendar. Use the calendar to pray for specific countries in that region of the world throughout the month.

Idea 3: Hold an Adopt-a-Club Fundraiser

Promote raising money to help new Awana clubs start in the country you have chosen. For approximately $7 you can help a child have the oppor-tunity to learn about Jesus.

Fundraising Ideas:

A. Help your club participate in the Christmas Ornament Campaign. Go to www.awanainternational.org/christmas for more information. All donations from this campaign will go to Adopt-a-Club. B. Pick up cans or plastic bottles to recycle at your local recycle center.

C. Organize a bake sale. Make cookies to sell to parents at club night or at an Awana event (Bible Quizzing, Grand Prix, etc.). Give the proceeds from the sale to Adopt-a-Club.

D. Do chores for your parents around the house.

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)Don’t let anyone look down onyou because you are young,but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

T&T Passport: AAC Service Project

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E. Ask your neighbors or parents of Awana clubbers or members in your congregation if you can do chores for them. Do they need someone to babysit, walk their dog, mow their lawn, or shovel snow? (You can prepare flyers to hand out letting people know you are raising money to help children overseas hear the gospel and then list some of the chores you can do for them).

F. Organize a garage sale at your home or at the church. Talk about the possibility of having a large “Awana Garage Sale” with one of your leaders. The family of every clubber could bring a donation to sell at the garage sale. G. Make and sell cards (birthday, anniversary, etc.)

H. Make and sell homemade cocoa mix. Here’s a great recipe:

One 25.6 oz box of instant nonfat dry milk One large container of Nestle Quick (chocolate milk flavor) One pound powdered sugar 8 oz powdered creamer 1 tablespoon salt 2 cups cocoa powder

1. Mix all the ingredients into a very large bowl. 2. Store in a tightly sealed Tupperware bowl. 3. Instructions for 1 cup cocoa: Fill one third of a mug with the cocoa mix in powdered form and then fill the rest of the mug with hot water or hot milk.

You can sell packets of cocoa in Ziploc bags. Attach an index card (decorated, if you wish) on the outside of the bag with the recipe and instructions for making a hot cup of cocoa.

I. Create your own webiste at Friends Reaching Kids and ask family and friends for donations. Go to www.awanainternational.org/friendreachingkids to get started.

When you have completed your fundraising project, please give the money to an adult and have them send donations to:

Awana International Attn: Adopt-a-Club 1 E. Bode Road Streamwood, IL 60107

Have checks made out to: Awana and in the memo portion of the check, T&T AAC (with name of the country or region).

Your parents or Awana leader can also call 800-222-9262 and make a credit card donation on your behalf for the funds you raised.

Take a moment to thank God for helping you to raise funds so children around the world can hear the gospel message.

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)Don’t let anyone look down onyou because you are young,but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

T&T Passport: AAC Service Project

AAC Service Project Completion: Final Steps

When you have completed each of the above items, sit down with your leader and discuss the following:

A. Tell your leader which country you chose and when Awana started there. Also share with your leader how many churches are using Awana in that country and how many kids are attending Awana club. B. Pray with your leader using the prayer you wrote for the people in the country you chose.

C. Share with your leader how your raised funds for the Adopt-a-Club ministry.

Congratulations!You have now completed your AAC T&T Passport Service Project.

T&T Passport: AAC Service Project

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)Don’t let anyone look down onyou because you are young,but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.