BG Club Basics

A Life-Changing Club for Boys and Girls
Ages 3-11


BG Clubs exists to lead boys and girls to Jesus and to help them live a Christ-centred life through:

• learning God's Word
• teaching spiritual concepts
• developing Christian character
• encouraging involvement in ministry
• developing skills and achievements
• providing wholesome recreational and relational skills
• cultivating an interest in missions
• developing leadership qualities

"Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
- Luke 18:16

WHY CHOOSE BG CLUBS?

BG Clubs is a mid-week ministry designed for children ages 3 through 11, to train them to become disciples of Jesus. Our aim is to lead boys and girls to Christ and to provide a fun-filled learning centre in which they can feel comfortable to invite their friends and see them won to Christ. Social relationships and exciting activities develop Christian character on a foundation of Biblical knowledge. The children learn to apply Biblical principles to their everyday lives and begin to develop leadership skills and a heart for missions.

Let's hear the life-changing impact BG Clubs has made on a young girl named Correen:

"My name is Correen and I am eleven years old. I have been in BG Clubs since I was four. I love Jesus! When I get older, I want to go to Bible College and help the poor people. I really feel God calling me in this direction.

In BG Clubs we learn about prayer, reading our Bibles, and we learn to sing. My favourite song is "Our God Is An Awesome God". I know He is awesome because He has answered many of my prayers. My mom gave her heart back to the Lord. Now we go to church together. Just recently, my dad came into my life. I never knew him. God answered that prayer too!

I work very hard on badges. The Bird House Building badge is a special badge to me because this is the first thing my dad and I have done together. I just got the chance to meet my father's mom and dad, and they have accepted me!

I also worked on the Exploring Careers badge... with my dad. I visited his work and was able to see what he does. This is helping me understand him and develop a relationship with him. My dad helped me with my Carpenter's badge. I built two bookends and I am going to give them to my grandfather. My BG Club Leader said this will help towards my Gift Giving badge. I can't see a better person to give this gift to and I can tell my Grandpa that God loves him.

BG Clubs has opened a door for me to talk to my dad about God, and to my dad's parents. God is an awesome God!"

HOW BG CLUBS TARGETS 3 to 11 YEAR OLDS

Seekers - Ages 3 and 4

Characteristics of 3 and 4 Year Olds

• Have bursts of energy
• Tire easily
• Are sensitive to the way others act
• Have short attention spans of three to five minutes
• Learn by using their senses
• Understand God's love by how others express love to them
• Love to ask questions about God

Special Features of the Seekers Curriculum

• Learning is dynamic
• Full of variety
• Lots of play activities
• Skills taught through Learning Centres
• Music and Movement activities
• Puppet Skits
• Finger Plays
• Easy to understand Life Application Segments

Content Covered in the Seekers Level

• Thanking God… For Me, For Food, For His Love and For His Help
• Helping and Forgiving Others
• Doing My Part
• God Shows His Love
• Being Kind to Others
• Jesus Shows His Love
• Loving Others
• The Beginning… First Days, First Animals and First People
• Jesus is… Our Savior, Healer, Teacher and Helper
• Jesus Helps Us Love and Serve Others
• Jesus Helps Us Not To Be Afraid
• Jesus Helps Us To Tell Others About Him

Adventurers - Ages 5 and 6

Characteristics of 5 and 6 Year Olds

• Are very energetic
• Need constant movement and room to run, hop and jump
• Are eager to learn
• Feel proud when praised
• Thrive on the attention of peers and adults
• Like to play games
• Are developing control of their small muscles
• Sense the greatness of God when specific concepts are shared

• Active learning experience
• Games based on team work
• Bible memorization
• Lessons which include time for movement
• Constructive crafts
• A Student Guide developed to help with problem solving and to reinforce the skills of colouring, cutting, pasting and printing
• Several Achievement Badge opportunities
• Lessons focusing on Jesus as the Perfect Example to follow

Content in the Adventurers Level

• God Sent Jesus
• God Gave Us Families
• God Hears Us When… We Pray, Worship And Say We Are Sorry
• Things God Does For Us… Sees Us, Protects Us, Leads Us And Helps Us
• God Helps Us… Love And Share With Others, Be Obedient, Be Kind And Honest
• Noah Listened To God
• Choosing The Right Friends
• God's Word
• The Promise Of Salvation
• The Life Of Jesus

Explorers - Ages 7, 8 and 9

Characteristics of 7, 8 and 9 year Olds

• Are learning how to make choices
• Are interested in concrete learning experiences
• Have limited concept of time
• Can sit still for seven minutes
• Are less dependent on adults
• Can group and classify information
• Ask in-depth questions
• Want to win!

Special Features of the Explorers Curriculum

• Lessons geared to building a spiritual moral base
• Opportunities for role play
• Interactive dramas
• Games based on team work
• Bible memorization
• Student Guides developed to help the child with problem solving

Content Covered in the Explorers Level

• God's Word
• What God Is Like
• Obedience
• Prayer
• Forgiveness
• Loyalty
• The Good Shepherd
• Fears
• Jesus And His Disciples
• Making Godly Choices
• The Ten Commandments
• Bible Heroes Such As Esther, Gideon, Samson, Samuel, David And Nehemiah
• The Life Of Jesus

Discoverers - ages 10 and 11

Characteristics of 10 and 11 year olds

• Are becoming more conscious of themselves
• Base their feelings on self-worth
• Have good reading skills
• Show a wide range of interests
• Learning to develop leadership qualities
• Enjoy doing projects
• Can verbalize easily
• Possess deep feelings for God
• Want to tell others about Jesus

Special Features of the Discoverers Curriculum

• Focus on development of a godly self-concept
• Emphasis placed on Bible memorization and drills
• Meaningful prayer times
• Frequent times for reflection and discussion
• Opportunities for outreach and service to others
• Disciples them towards a deeper understanding of their faith
• Involvement in missions projects
• Opportunities to develop leadership skills

Content Covered in the Discoverers Level

• Bible characters who become examples for their own lives, such as Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Daniel, Paul, Peter, Stephen, Barnabas, Silas, Onesimus, Titus and Epaphras
• Doctrine Of The Church
• The Bible As God's Word
• Creation
• Sanctification
• The Trinity
• The Fall Of Man
• Attributes Of God
• The Resurrection
• Water Baptism
• Jesus, The Healer
• The Lord's Supper
• End-Time Events

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

What are my start-up costs?

Each Leader will require a Leader's Expedition Guide ($69.95) as well as a Club Badge Book ($9.95). Leaders are encouraged to have their own BG Club Manual ($24.95).

How many kids are needed in order to run a BG Club program?

A handful or a whole flock! Every child is important and is deserving of top-quality Christian discipleship.

What about uniforms?

The use of uniforms is at the discretion of the individual Club. A variety of uniform options, as well as badge sashes are available for purchase through Wordcom Christian Resources.

How many Leaders will I need? Is training provided for them?

The number of Leaders you require will depend upon the number of children in your Club. You should have a Club Director and at least one Leader for each age group.

What if we are involved in another program and wish to transfer to BG Clubs?

We'll make it as easy as possible for you by offering an initial 10% discount on your first order for curriculum (Leader Guides). All badges and awards earned by members in other programs may be exchanged for the appropriate BG Club badge or award at no expense.

Why badges?

Badges encourage children to learn and develop new skills as well as achieve new heights in their Christian walk. BG Club badges come in three categories: Achievement, Skill and Award. Check out our Badge Book to view the great selection!

What next? How do I get started?

If you like what you have seen so far, get ready to begin.  You can start by ordering your appropriate BG Club Curriculum and resources from Wordcom Christian Resources, the PAOC's distribution division.  Call them at 1-800-567-2420 or go online to www.wordcom.ca.  

If you have any further questions, call the PAOC's National Children's Ministries Coordinator at (905) 542-7400 ex. 5262 or email bgclubs@paoc.org