If you are a new children's Sunday School teacher, or if you are a veteran teacher frustrated and wanting to change things up, then start with creating a schedule and a routine.
Organizing and managing a large group of kids while trying to keep them quiet and on task so that they can learn about Jesus can seem overwhelming. Setting up a regular schedule and clear routines and ahead of time will make the kids a lot more comfortable. It will also make them less likely to cause distractions, which allows you to better teach about Jesus in a way that kids will remember.
Setting up a Sunday School Schedule
Below, there is a suggested list of things to include or think about as you set up your Sunday School Schedule. Since every church and Sunday School is different, everyone's schedule and routines will be a little different. Prayerfully use the links below to help you come up with a schedule that works for you.
As you are setting up a schedule, think about how kids are dropped off to the classroom, how much time you have, how independent your kids are, etc.
- Arrival - Think ahead of time about what you want the kids to do as they enter the classroom. Read more here.
- Get Kids to Listen Using an Attention Getter - Having a predictable, calm way to get the attention of kids will make your life easier. Read more here.
- Pray - Model prayer and dependency on God to your kids weekly. Read more here.
- Establish Expectations - Kids are more comfortable and less likely to disrupt when they know what is expected of them and why. This can bed a difficult balance to strike in Sunday School. Read more here.
- Worship through Singing - Children's Sunday School doesn't always include time to worship God through singing, but this can be a valuable time, especially if the kids do not get to participate in worship with their parents. Read more here.
- Scripture Memory - setting aside time to practice memorizing Scripture shows kids that you value God's Word and think it is important to know by heart. Find out more here.
- Bible Lesson - Getting an opportunity to teach kids about God is why Sunday School exists. You can use curriculum that your church provides, write your own based on your own study from the Bible, or use the free Bible lessons on this website or others. Find out more about how lessons on this website are structured here.
- Dismissal - Have a plan in place for what kids will be doing after the lesson is over while they are waiting for parents to pick them up. Find out more here.