Theme nights are often a big topic of discussion at conferences, trainings, and online. So today we will answer four basic questions about theme nights.
What is a Theme night?
How often should we have a theme night?
Are theme nights required to have an Awana Club?
Should the theme night connect with the lesson?
So let’s answer your questions.
What is a theme night?
It is simply a night with a specific theme. It could be almost anything, team color night, crazy hair night, country, whatever you can imagine can be a theme. Many schools have embraced this concept as well. It is a way to engage children and build excitement for your Awana ministry. Several years ago in Awana trainings, one of the pillars was that Awana is fun and exciting. Theme nights are one way to accomplish that aspect.
How often should we have a theme night?
That is an individual club decision. There are clubs that have a theme every night, some have them every other week, some once a month, and some once a quarter. There is no set number of times you should hold a theme night.
Are theme nights required to have an Awana Club?
No, theme nights are not a mandated part of Awana. Whether you hold theme nights or night is solely up to the leadership of the local Awana ministry. You will find people with very strong opinions about whether theme nights are required, but it is an individual ministry decision and not required.
Should the theme night connect with the lesson?
I have heard many debates about whether the theme night should somehow connect to a lesson that night. If the overall theme should help present a connection to the things of God. It all comes down to your ministry philosophy. There are times that theme nights are purely fun, a time to build fellowship and relationships. Other times the theme may be more focused on discipleship and teaching something specific about the things of God. The purpose, the “why”, of holding the theme night is up to local leadership.
Theme nights can be an asset to an Awana ministry, but they can also be harmful. It all comes down to why you have theme nights. Whether you use theme nights or not, and how frequently, is up to the local Awana ministry. If you choose to utilize theme nights, then one of the resources that I provide on commanderbill.net is a list of possible theme night ideas. You can find it at https://commanderbill.net/theme-nights/
