(This is the fifth post in the series to share my thoughts regarding comments heard from hundreds of Awana leaders about the new Mission series of T&T books)
The Essentials handbook was introduced in 2017 and quickly became a topic of conversation.
If you are not aware of the Essentials book, here is a brief video explanation:
The debate focused on why clubbers were not to earn handbook awards for using this book (that was addressed in the video). Trek and Journey have used Essentials books before they were introduced to T&T. I have personally used the Essential books for Trek and Journey.
Awana understands that you may have children in your club who are not interested in working toward handbook awards yet they want to be a part of the group. The Essentials book allows them to have a brief overview of the lesson so that they can participate in the discussion during small group time.
When I led workshops at Awana Conferences this past fall, I told the attendees that I had breakfast that morning and I asked them what they thought I had to eat. What would you think a typical breakfast would include? Would it look like this?
After people commented on what a typical breakfast would be, I then showed them what I had for breakfast. I held up a packet of Carnation Breakfast Essentials, a powder mixed with milk to provide the basic essential vitamins….
Immediately many felt sorry for me and acknowledged that I truly had not “met the requirement” for having, and completing, a full breakfast. Do you see the correlation with the handbook? It is not the full requirement to earn the handbook awards, it is just the essentials.
The Essentials book is a great way to include children who are not, at this time, working through the handbook for awards, or other reasons, but still want to be included in the group and the discussion.
For the Essentials book to be used effectively, we need to think about what our goal is for the individual clubber. Where do we envision them being at the end of the club year, in two or three years?
The Essentials book is not a replacement for the handbook, but a compliment to bring more children into the discussion, so they may come to know, love, and serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
