She Teaches Sunday
Teaching in kids’ ministry isn’t what I thought it would be.
Some days, I feel like I’ve got it all together; the kids are behaving, everyone is having fun, they’re really understanding the lesson, and a minimal amount of snack food has been scattered on the floor. Other days, I’m convinced that the kids had a secret meeting before class to plan destruction (seriously, can chaos be planned?) Kids who are normally sweet-tempered have an attitude, someone decides to use their scissors to cut up their marker bag, the craft is a flop, the lesson doesn’t connect to anyone, and surprise… there’s a few dozen Oreos flattened and smeared all over the floor!
She Teaches Sunday is for those of us who are not only trying to make it through class without losing our minds, but also striving to be better, and to reach these kids — and hoping against all hope that at least one kid remembers the lesson next week.
I’ve been teaching Sunday school classes since around 2010, so most of my experience is there, but I’ve also had the opportunity to help out in kids’ church since 2011, and I have been heavily involved in Vacation Bible School since 2013, so I can say without reservation that kids’ ministry is my passion.
I love it all, but I found out quickly to collect survival tips wherever you can. I’ve learned a lot, and I continue to learn, and I want to share what I’ve learned to help anyone else who could benefit from it. So pull up a chair, grab some tea (or coffee if a cup of tea isn’t your cup of tea), and let’s talk Sunday School (or maybe kids’ church, or maybe VBS…)
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Episodes
28 episodes
Teach Yourself Out of a Job
Today we're talking about one of the goals and struggles of a Sunday school teacher: teaching yourself out of a job. This isn’t a talk about leaving the Sunday School department to replaced by others, but rather teaching kids all they need to k...
Wasted Seed Sown in Sunday School/Is Sunday School Dead?
Does it feel like you’re always sowing seed on bad soil in Sunday school?You’re not the only one. Join me as I talk about the garden that is our Sunday school kids’ hearts.
When the Motivation Isn't There
Today we're talking about motivation, the lack of motivation, and what to do about it. Sometimes we just need help.
When Things Don't Go Exactly as Planned
Today we're talking about the almost every Sunday occurrence of when things don’t go as planned. It happens to us all, but sometimes it can disrupt us more than other times. I’ve had this happen a lot, and I’ve learned a method for dealing with...
Decorate Your Sunday School Class with a Plan
Decorating your Sunday school classroom... seems simple, right? It is!I’ll break it down and give you some tips and tricks, but it’s really not that hard. Time-consuming, yes, but not hard!Resources Mentioned:
The Smallest Things that Make the Biggest Difference
As Sunday school teachers, we only get to work with kids an hour or two once a week, but we still have the ability to make a difference in their lives. In many cases, because of the small amount of time we have to work with them, we are limited...
Teaching Little Teachers
The end goal of a Sunday School teacher isn’t just to teach kids the Word of God, it’s also to teach them to teach others. You’re already teaching them how to teach purely through example, but we can take it to the next level and make sure we’r...
When the Class Size Changes Every Week
Today we're talking about the challenges that come with having an unexpected Sunday school class size. When we’re blessed with an unexpected amount of guests, we’re scrambling to accommodate so many, and when it’s just a few, or even one, we su...
Let's Not Overdo it: Sunday School Goals for the New Year
As the year comes to a close, most of us set out to set goals for the fresh new year… and most of us don’t accomplish them. Not because we aren’t able, we just overwhelmed ourselves.In this episode, I want to talk a little bit about sett...
Managing Holiday Overwhelm in 4 Steps
Today we're talking about managing holiday overwhelm through organizing. There’s a ton of stuff to do, and when people tell us to slow down and just enjoy the season… yeah right! There’s stuff to do, and we’re going to get it done!Yes, I...
Dealing with Sunday School Teacher Burnout
Today we're talking about something that doesn’t get talked about much (either that, or I’m just not paying attention). Sunday school teacher burnout.It feels wrong that we could be overwhelmed, frustrated, or in any way tired from teach...
Sunday School is not for the Faint of Heart
Today we're talking about Sunday School – the ministry that isn’t for the faint of heart. Everybody thinks Sunday school is a breeze, but it’s not! We deal with issues week after week that wear us down and discourage us. Sometimes it’s hard to ...
VBS is my Favorite Holiday
Today we're talking about Vacation Bible School. I know it’s early, but I’m already thinking about it. Let’s be honest, I’ve never stopped thinking about it. It’s my favorite time of year, and I look forward to it every year!Whether you’...
My Worst Sunday School Lesson Ever (and what I Learned from it)
Even the best Sunday school teacher in the whole world has a worst lesson. I don’t claim to be the best teacher, but I definitely have a “worst” lesson: Stuff going wrong despite careful planning? CheckDemonstration go...
The Difference Between Props & Object Lessons
Today we're talking about two teaching methods I love to use in the classroom: Props & Object lessons. We’ll discuss the difference between the two, the best times to use them, as well as some fun examples of how to introduce both methods t...
Teaching the One Thing
In this episode, we talk about why every Sunday School lesson should have one clear takeaway. We’ll take about:· Teaching one truth at a time so kids aren’t overwhelmed· Weaving that truth i...
The Power of Exposure
What we see, hear, and experience has a way of shaping who we are—and what we pass on to others. Kids naturally imitate what they observe, but adults are just as affected by the influences around them. In this episode, we’ll talk about how expo...
Play a Game or Don't Play a Game: That is the Question
In this episode of She Teaches Sunday, I’m talking about that thing that all kids seem to love… games! We’ll talk about · Why games can be powerful· When games can ...
When One Kid Knows Everything
Every class seems to have that one kid — the one who knows all the answers, blurts them out without hesitation, and unintentionally takes over the room. This episode explores how to manage that.We’re talking about how to:
Sunday School: The Throwaway Ministry (NOT!)
No, I don’t actually believe that. That’s the whole point of today’s episode. The title is meant to reflect a very real undercurrent many of us have felt—like Sunday School is seen as a temporary, lesser role in the church....
Do You Need a Theme in Sunday School?
Today we're diving into Sunday School themes—the decorative ones and the deeper structural ones. Do you need them? Not always. But can they help? Absolutely. From generating interest the moment a child walks in, to reinforcing memory, ...
VBS: Is it Worth it?
In this episode of She Teaches Sunday we’re talking about Vacation Bible School.VBS takes everything—your time, energy, budget, and sanity. And when it's over, the question creeps in: Was it worth it?In this episod...
Prayer isn’t Extra Credit: It’s the Assignment
In this episode of She Teaches Sunday, we’re talking about prayer in the classroom—not the kind that happens once a quarter, but the kind that becomes a regular part of your Sunday School class.A lot of teachers already include ...
The Bible Isn't Rated G ... Should Sunday School Be?
The Bible is full of truth, power—and some seriously complicated stories. So what does that mean for us as Sunday School teachers? Should we teach everything just because it’s in there? Or are there times when it’s better to simplify, delay, or...