Sunday mornings are a gift. For just a short time each week, we gather God’s little ones and open up the treasures of his Word. Whether you’re brand-new to teaching or have been leading Sunday school lessons for years, there are always fresh ways to grow, refine, and rejoice in this calling.
This is the third of three posts with five teaching tips to encourage you as you serve Christ and his lambs. Click here to view all three posts, as well as two additional posts with encouragement for Sunday school teachers.
1. Use Visual Aids Wisely
A globe or map when talking about Paul’s journeys, a small model of the ark, or even a simple drawing on the board can make lessons stick. Just remember: The goal is always to serve the Word, not to overshadow it.
2. Connect the Lesson to Everyday Life
After teaching about forgiveness, ask, “What’s one way you can show forgiveness this week?” If the lesson is about God’s care, invite your students to name things they’re worried about and remind them that God hears and knows what’s going on in their lives. Scripture is not a history book alone; it’s God’s living Word for today.
3. Repeat and Review
Children learn by repetition. Start class with a quick review of last week’s story. Link lessons together: “Last week we saw how God rescued his people from Egypt. Today we’ll see how he provided food in the desert.” Connections deepen understanding.
4. Encourage Memory Verses
Even one verse a month makes a lasting impact. A simple verse like “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing”(Psalm 23:1) can stay with a child for a lifetime, surfacing in both joy and sorrow.
5. Model the Joy of the Gospel
Children notice your attitude. If you teach with delight in God’s Word, they’ll learn that church isn’t a chore but a joy. Let your love for Christ shine through your voice, your expressions, and your encouragement.
A Closing Word of Encouragement
Teaching Sunday school is both humbling and exhilarating. Some weeks, it may feel like the lesson fell flat or the children were restless. But remember: God’s Word never returns empty. As a Sunday school teacher, your prayer for your students is that every Bible account told, every verse recited, and every prayer whispered will plant seeds that the Spirit will grow in his time as he sees fit.
A Prayer for Teachers
Lord Jesus, you welcomed children into your arms and blessed them. Bless the teachers who share your Word with little ones each week. Give them patience, creativity, and joy. Let their words always point to you, our Savior. Strengthen them when they grow weary, and remind them that their labor in you is never in vain. In your name we pray. Amen.
Click here to download a brief, one-page PDF of all 15 tips that you can print and keep handy with your lessons each week. Feel free to share it (and this post) with whoever could benefit from it.
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Are you a pastor or Sunday school coordinator for your church? Click here to learn more about Northwestern Publishing House’s Christ-centered curriculum for Sunday school for Pre-K through grade 8.
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