Family Time with God: October

One of the best ways parents can model a living, active relationship with Christ is to emphasize the importance of the Bible in day-to-day family life. These calendar pages from Awana can help you do just that! The verses are divided into three parts. Preschoolers memorize the words in bold. Elementary boys and girls memorize the words in bold and italics. Older teens and parents learn the complete verse.

Calendar Highlights

Names of God (August)

Challenge older children to search the Bible for various names of God. (The list below is just a starting point.) Work together, using a concordance or other Bible study tools.

Old Testament

(August 11)

Shield—Psalm 3:3

Rock—Psalm 28:1

Fortress—Psalm 46:7

Holy One—Psalm 71:22

Most High—Psalm 92:1

King—Psalm 145:1

New Testament

(August 22)

Father—Matthew 11:25

Most High God—Mark 5:7

The Word—John 1:1

Abba—Romans 8:15

Lord Almighty—2 Corinthians 6:18

Judge of all men—Hebrews 12:23

Johnny Appleseed (September 26)

Johnny Appleseed was born John Chapman on September 26, 1774. He's famous for planting apple trees throughout the East and Midwest, but he was also a missionary of sorts. Before he left home, his father gave him a Bible and said, "As long as you carry God's Word, your path will be a straight one." Johnny listened to his father's advice; while he planted apple trees, he also planted God's love, announcing, "My name is John Chapman, and I enjoy planting apple trees and bringing God's Word."

(Go online or head to your local library to learn more about Johnny Appleseed.)

Praying for Missionaries (October 4)

During your family prayers, be sure to include any missionaries you or your church support.

Ask God to:

give them wisdom as they minister to people from other cultures
keep them healthy
help them work in unity with other missionaries
bring good friends into their lives

Ask God to help you:

encourage them with your prayers and letters
remember them as they do God's work in the world
learn more about the people they work with
find ways to offer emotional, spiritual, and financial support

What Is Awana?

Awana® is a nondenominational youth ministry committed to reaching boys and girls with the gospel of Christ and training them to serve him. Each week, more than one million kids in over 110 countries attend Awana clubs where they play games, memorize Bible verses, and learn practical truths from God's Word. From preschool through high school, Awana offers a fun environment in which children and youth hear the life-changing message of the Bible.

To learn more about Awana and locate an Awana club near you, visit www.awana.org/about.asp

How can you help children memorize? Here's some advice from a group of kids in North Carolina:

"Sing, write, and study."

—Lisa, age 9

"My secret is saying the words over and over."

—Jesse, age 10

"I look over it and say it to myself."

—Shelby, age 8

"I say my verses 15 times over and over every night."

—Myles, age 11

"I try to make a song out of it as I memorize a little bit of it at a time."

—Holly, age 9

October

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Week 1 What is a missionary? Acts 1:8"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth."
	1. This month you'll be learning about missions. Talk about what a missionary does.	2.Family Forum: Why would someone want to be a missionary? What would it be like to serve God in another culture?	3. Make a list of any missionaries you know and learn Acts 1:8.	4. Make a missionary prayer chart. Divide a piece of paper into 7 days of the week. Write a prayer request for each day.
Week 2 Philip in Samaria John 20:21Again Jesus said,"Peace be with you!As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
5. Learn John 20:21. Who is Jesus talking to?	6. Read Acts 8:1-8. Write down three facts about Philip.	7. Choose a missionary from your list to pray for this week.	8. Why does God "send" us out into the world?	9. Learn three things about the country where your missionary serves.	10. How do missionaries help bring God's peace to the world?	11. Discuss ways you can offer support to your missionary.
Week 3 Philip and the sorcerer Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, andthe message is heard through the word of Christ.
12. Read Acts 8:9-13.	13.Family Forum: Why were people attracted to Simon's magic? Why did they decide to listen to Philip?	14. Learn Romans 10:17.	15. Use your prayer chart to pray for another missionary.	16. Learn how to say "God is love" in another language.	17. Write a letter to God thanking him for his love.	18. What is your favorite song about God's love?
Week 4 Philip meets the treasurer Isaiah 53:5But he was pierced for our transgressions,he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
19. Pray for your pastor.	20. Learn Isaiah 53:5.	21. Read Acts 8:25-35.	22. Why was it important for Philip to listen to God?	23. Tell your verse to a friend.	24.Family Fun: October is National Popcorn Month. Pop a bowl and play a game as a family.	25. Pray for another missionary.
Week 5 Philip teaches the treasurer Isaiah 53:6We all, like sheep, have gone astray,each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
26. Listen to a favorite praise tape or CD on the way to church today.	27. Learn Isaiah 53:6. Who are the sheep in this verse?	28. Read Acts 8:36-40.	29. How did God use Philip to help the Ethiopian?	30.Family Forum: Talk about ways you can let God use your family to touch the lives of others.	31. With your siblings or some friends, act out one of the stories about Philip.