Forming children in the Christian faith is a vital part of the Church’s mission. For many small, new, or revitalized congregations starting or restarting a children’s Sunday school program from scratch may seem daunting. Here a few tips that can help your church get its program off to a good start.
Start with the children you have
Before starting a new Sunday school program look around at the children and families already attending your church and start there. Even if the congregation only has a few children, it will be worth the effort to create a space just for them. Families will be impressed with a church that shows it’s already serving the children who come to church every Sunday.
Build your initial program based on the size and scope of the children’s presence in your congregation. It’s alright if you only start with a couple of classes with some children of various ages meeting together. You may also have entire age groups missing when you start the program. The program will change as it grows. Be ready to accommodate new children as they come. Cokesbury offers One Way Sunday School kits designed specifically for help children of multiple ages learn together.
Recruit the right leaders
The next step is to identify adults who can lead the program. Instead of just asking for volunteers to lead each class, start by forming a children’s ministry committee made up of a pastor, parents, and other church leaders with an interest in the program. This committee can determine the number of classes/age groups and recruit volunteers to lead them.
When recruiting teachers look for people who exhibit patience, empathy, and sensitivity. People with experience teaching or working with children are good places to start. Every class should have multiple teachers who can develop their own teaching schedule and meet outside of church to plan lessons ahead of time.
Balance needs with reality
One size does not fit all when it comes to children’s ministry. Churches must try to meet the unique needs of the children using the resources at their disposal accordingly. Some churches may have plenty of available space for classrooms, while others might have to repurpose other common spaces such as a fellowship hall.
Some may have enough teachers and children to form many different classes, while others may have children of different ages in the same classes. Instead of focusing just on age, think critically where each child is in their development. For instance, 2nd and 3rd grade children can meet together because they’re still at similar enough levels of development to both follow the same Sunday school lesson. A 3rd grader and preschooler on the other hand, shouldn’t be in the same class.
Practice Safer Sanctuary
Ensuring the safety of all children is essential. Make sure there are always at least two adults present in every class and that every teacher is at least 21 years old and a member of the congregation for at least six months. Perform background checks.
Download Safer Sanctuary policies and guidelines for large and small member churches and access other protective resources at Discipleship Ministries.
Find the right curriculum
When choosing curriculum ask these questions:
- Is this appropriate for this age group?
- Is the message in-tune with Wesleyan theology and practices?
- Will my students find it helpful and engaging?
Cokesbury offers full curriculum resources tailored for ages 3-6 and 7-12 complete with videos, leader guides, activity sheets, and stickers.
Promote and include children’s ministries in worship
Once you’ve got the children’s ministry off the ground, start promoting as part of your communications outreach. Promote it on your website, social media, welcome materials, etc.
Including children fully in worship is a great way to promote Sunday school while also making the children themselves feel more connected to the congregation. Here’s a few suggestions.
- Celebrate Promotion Sunday every year in the fall to recognize the children moving from one class to another
- Have children who are old enough participate in the processional as acolytes
- Invite one of the classes to lead the congregation in song or perform a skit
When a new family with children visits the church, the pastor should offer to connect them with their children ministries’ volunteers right away. Don’t pressure them to bring their kids right away, just let them know this ministry is there and that you would love to have them be a part of it.
Conclusion
A thriving children's Sunday school program doesn't need large numbers. It begins with a congregation that is committed to nurturing the faith of the children God has already placed in its care. As those children grow, the ministry will grow with them.
This content was produced by ResourceUMC on August 17, 2026. Philip J. Brooks is a writer and content developer at United Methodist Communications. Contact him by email.