For many of us, Sunday school was sometimes a bit of a drag. Although the social elements could be a lot of fun, giving up part of our weekend to sit at a desk wasn’t always ideal. Even if you enjoyed your Sunday school activities, you’ll most likely admit that there might have been ways to teach more efficiently or make lessons more exciting. If you’re trying to think of better Sunday school lessons for youth in your church but find yourself being uninspired, chances are that the kids in your classroom might be, too. Instead of endless Sunday school worksheets and outdated examples, you may want to try shaking things up a bit with these three ideas:
- Think outside the classroom
Although having access to a classroom can be great for many youth Bible lessons and activities, it can sometimes make lessons less accessible. Remember that not all learning takes place in the classroom. Kids may be less inclined to feel what they’re learning in a classroom is relevant to their life outside of it. And truly, what better place to appreciate your relationship with your religion than in a beautiful park or outdoors on the church lawn? If you’re stuck inside, you can change things up by holding class in a chapel or other location within the building. A change of scenery can help when students are unfocused or you want to make a specific point. Even taking a walk to get some fresh air can serve as a highly beneficial break. - Use other methods
Not all students will learn in the same way. Although you may not want to disregard the current Sunday school curriculum, it might be advantageous to think about additional ways to teach these lessons. Many students learn better in hands-on applications. Even if some students learn well through printed materials, different teaching methods can add excitement and can result in enthusiasm for the topic at hand. Sunday school lessons for kids often include a series of different experiences all focusing on the same topic. This way of learning can be just as effective for older kids and even teenagers. Whether you have students write their own plays, cook creative dishes, create art, or watch films, using a multitude of methods can only benefit students and help them think about their religious studies as a regular part of their lives, rather than just one portion of them. - Highlight current events
If you want to make sure Sunday school activities are an integrated part of students’ lives, you might think about including relevant events into the curriculum. You might even be surprised by how you can connect newspaper articles and even popular pop culture to religious studies. Kids and teens will be more likely to keep up with religious practices if they can understand how it connects to the problems they regularly face. When youth Bible study topics involve the moral and ethical issues they have questions about, you’re better able to discuss religious teachings in a pertinent and powerful way.
If staff and church methodology permits, utilizing these ideas can help make religion a lifelong practice. By making Sunday school activities more significant and exciting, you’ll be ensuring that the time students spend in the classroom — and outside of it — is meaningful and special.