Connecting Kids to Christ in Sunday School & How We Can Help

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26, NKJV)

Those words remain upon my heart, imprinted there decades ago as a child attending Sunday morning worship services in a rural Minnesota church. That blessing spoken by the pastor still gives me peace and prompts treasured memories of what followed—Sunday school.

After services, I joined other elementary-aged children in the church basement to hear Bible stories, to memorize scripture, to sing, and to pray. Beloved teachers taught us about Jesus in the hour-long class which always ended with singing the doxology, Praise God from whom all blessings flow...

There’s that word again. Blessings. What a blessing those long-ago teachers were in passing along the faith. They took to heart Proverbs 22:6 (NIV®), Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

The Bible many times references children, their value, and the importance of connecting them to God and His Word. See scriptures like Matthew 18:1–5, Mark 10:13–16, and Deuteronomy 6:6–7.

Today’s kids learn in a much different way than I did all those decades ago sitting quietly at a table listening to my teacher. Kids today are tech-oriented, hands-on, engaged and visual learners. Warner Press recognizes that and offers creative Sunday school curriculum that sparks curiosity and spiritual development.

The HeartShaper curriculum, geared for little ones up to kindergarten age, features a three-pronged approach of activity, Bible and discovery times. Bold and colorful graphics in posters, books and puzzles appeal to this age group as do short and simple songs. The curriculum lays out detailed ways to connect these precious children to Christ.

For elementary age students, Inspire! brings Bible stories to life in artfully-creative video clips, multi-sensory activities, and activity sheets that focus on the day’s Bible story and life applications. Prompts encourage kids to think. What a blessing to offer such resources to devoted Sunday school teachers.

Another Warner Press product, More Than Cookies & Punch—50+ Bible Story Snacks and Lessons by Tina Houser, features additional creative ways to reinforce popular Bible stories through easy food projects. For example, kids can build Jacob’s ladder with pretzel sticks and canned squirt cheese. Or they can place people-shaped cookies atop blue gelatin to represent Jesus walking on water. Houser’s book includes core Bible story information, a food-themed activity, and follow-up questions, all kid-centric and engaging.

I’ve observed in my own Minnesota church how much Sunday school students enjoy anything hands-on whether pounding nails into a wooden cross, crafting bracelets, or shaping dough into pretzels. Group physical activities—think games—involving the entire family have also proven popular and effective in reinforcing bible lessons during special family day events.

For quieter times and individual focus, Warner Press publishes an extensive line of kids’ coloring and activity books that would work well in supplementing Sunday school curriculum.

Another Warner Press resource comes from author Rachael Groll, also a children’s and outreach pastor in Pennsylvania and part of our blogging team. She writes about her experiences connecting with kids in her book, GO—Beginning a Kids’ Outreach Ministry. While not specifically geared to Sunday School, GO gives valuable insights to anyone teaching children.

We can all learn from one another as we strive to share the faith with the next generation. What a blessing to be given that opportunity and to follow the example of Jesus, who ...took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them (Mark 10:16, NIV®).

Audrey Kletscher Helbling holds fond memories of Sunday School, especially bringing bible story sheets home and singing together during Easter and Christmas worship services.