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 second 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. Keep Lessons Age-Appropriate
A kindergartner and a sixth grader both need Jesus, but the way you explain sin and grace will differ. Use simple, concrete language for younger children and invite deeper questions from older ones. Great truths don’t need complicated words.
2. Encourage Participation
Instead of only asking, “What happened next?” try questions like
- “How do you think Joseph felt when he saw his brothers again?”
- “What would you have done if you were Daniel in the lions’ den?”
Participation transforms passive listening into active reflection. It also gives you insight into how your students are understanding the lesson or what they’re thinking about. Some of their answers may surprise you!
3. Tell the Account Well
Children remember stories that are told with energy and expression. God’s Word is the best and truest story there is. As you retell the Bible account, try pausing at key moments. Maybe whisper when the scene grows tense. Smile wide when God’s deliverance shines through. You don’t need to be a professional actor—just let your joy in the good news about Jesus shine. When you show that this time spent in God’s Word matters and means something to you, your students will pick up on that.
4. Be Consistent in Discipline
Rules don’t need to be complicated. Depending on the age level, a few clear expectations (listening ears, kind words, gentle hands) paired with consistent follow-through help children feel secure. Discipline isn’t about control; it’s about creating a space where God’s Word can be heard by all.
5. Plan but Stay Flexible
Having a plan prevents stress, but sometimes the best laid plans end up going awry. If the children latch on to one part of the account with deep interest, don’t be afraid to linger there. Flexibility shows that you value their engagement more than just finishing the schedule.
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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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