Good Ideas for Sunday School: Curious Questions and Honest Answers

Running a Sunday school program takes more than curriculum and craft supplies. It calls for creativity, flexibility, and, most importantly, a deep care for the children and youth who walk through the door each week. A recent story from Madison Avenue CRC in Paterson, New Jersey, offers some simple but powerful practices that other congregations may find inspiring.

Start with Personal Invitations

Rather than relying only on pulpit announcements or bulletin blurbs, the Madison Avenue team sends out handwritten invitations each fall. They look like party invitations: Bright, fun, and personal. A note addressed directly to a child communicates something different: you belong here, and we’re excited to see you. That kind of welcome sets the tone before a single class has even begun.

Build in Flexibility

Curriculum is helpful, but life in the classroom doesn’t always unfold as planned. At Madison Avenue, the teachers use Dwell, yet they readily adjust. If new students arrive, they pause and revisit earlier lessons. If attendance is low or a teacher is missing, they shift gears, combine classes, or play Bible games. This willingness to adapt means children experience Sunday school not as rigid programming but as a space that responds to them and their needs in real time.

Give Youth a Voice

High school students don’t just help — they bring their own ideas. By asking teens to contribute suggestions and leadership, the Sunday school team gives them ownership. For some, this is their first chance to lead younger children in faith. For others, it’s a way to stay engaged when Sunday school might otherwise feel too “young.” Recognizing the busy schedules of teens, Madison Avenue is even exploring hybrid and online formats. It’s a reminder that meaningful ministry with youth often requires meeting them halfway.

Make Space for Honest Questions

Children are naturally curious, and sometimes their questions surprise everyone. One child, trying to connect offerings with God’s needs, concluded: “God is broke.” Another, during a lesson on Noah, interrupted with wide eyes: “Wait — are you saying God controls the weather?” These moments don’t come scripted, yet they invite honest conversation and shared wonder. The teachers lean into these questions, knowing that curiosity is often the doorway to deeper faith.

Celebrate Inclusion and Community

The Sunday school also serves as a bridge between the congregation’s English- and Spanish-speaking services. Volunteers include an ESL teacher, and activities sometimes weave in Spanish songs or games so that children can learn and celebrate together. Beyond Sunday mornings, pizza nights, year-end celebrations, and shared worship draw families together. These practices reinforce an important truth: Sunday school is not only about content, it’s about community.

Remember What Matters Most

Perhaps the most valuable takeaway is this: the measure of success isn’t a perfectly executed lesson plan. It’s whether each child feels seen, cared for, and loved. When young people leave knowing they belong and that their questions matter, Sunday school has done its work well.

What about your church? How have you found ways to invite, adapt, and nurture curiosity in your Sunday school? Share your experiences below so that we can continue learning from one another.