Blog Home » Church Ministries » Sunday School » Sunday School During Summer Months

Sunday School During Summer Months

Share:

Summer Sunday School Obstacles:

What Does Summer Fun Mean for Sunday School?People take vacations.  Attendance fluctuates.  Teachers need time off.

Sometimes it is hard to keep the momentum going over the summer.

This is especially problematic for smaller churches.

Some churches will drudge through regardless of these issues.  But, doesn’t that get discouraging for teachers?

Others will disband Sunday School for the summer.  But, aren’t the faithful few important?

Summer Season Brings Opportunities:

Does it have to be an all or nothing matter?  Why not change the way you do Sunday School over the summer months to overcome obstacles?  You could make Summer Sunday School special or unique.

It might take a little planning and promoting but you could be surprised at the results, particularly if what you do it born out of prayer.

What does God want you to do over the summer?  That’s the real issue, not what is expedient or what other churches are doing.

You can use it as a time to reach people you might not normally reach like people who are visiting regular attendees or the community.  (Parents especially might be glad to have something to send their children to every week now that school is out.)

You can use it as a time to get people involved who are not teachers.  People who will not teach during the Sunday School hour might be willing to commit to other types of serving if you offer something different over the summer.

Options for Sunday School During the Summer Months:

Combine:

  • Combine some classes close in age.
  • Combine all classes for special events …. a movie, Puppet show, drama, magic, musical program, Bible game show, etc.

Revise:

  • Use stand-alone lessons rather than a series that do not build on one another so people who miss a week or two won’t be lost when they return or so you don’t feel like you must spend half of each session reviewing for those who missed the previous week.
  • Use a VBS curriculum, or perhaps a camping curriculum, during the Sunday School hour.  (Some churches do this in lieu of a week long Daily Vacation Bible School.)
  • Bring in guest teachers to give your teachers a break.
  • If you use traditional curriculum, switch to learning centers or use the rotation model.
  • Take advantage of the good outdoors.  Hold classes outside when the weather isn’t too hot or raining.  Youth or adult classes can sit under some trees, under a pavilion or tent for a good discussion of relevant topics.  Children can sit in the grass for a Bible story and enjoy some added activity outdoors.  Many traditional games can be used to teach verses, truths, etc.  Kids would especially enjoy water balloons on a hot summer day.

Integrate:

  • This could be a good time to try some intergenerational learning where you bring all ages together.
  • Prior to summer, have different classes plan something special to present to everyone or to other classes. Remember to have people check their calendars before assigning a responsibility.
  • Develop a big brother/sister type of program wherein you pair older students with younger ones to read a book or Bible story together, do a craft together, etc.

Revamp:

  • Plan field trips, outreach or service projects to sick/shut-ins, hospitals, nursing homes, tract distribution at parks, etc.  Adults could be assigned to groups of kids.  Travel time could be used to discuss things like being a Good Samaritan, etc.  Some projects could be done on church grounds such as preparing food boxes, making cards for missionaries, etc.
  • Move small groups for adults and teens to the Sunday School hour and do something special for children like a movie, Puppet show, drama, etc.
  • Serve breakfast each week and give a brief devotional or object lesson, some singing and break into small groups for fellowship and prayer.
  • Do special outdoor activities during the normal Sunday School time with community outreach in mind like a carnival, breakfast under a tent, a car wash, etc. wherein tracts and/or information about your church can be distributed.
Share:

4 Replies to “Sunday School During Summer Months”

  1. I like some of these ideas..especially for teacher’s that teach all year and need a break for the summer.. they might not mind helping out some ..but to get other’s involved like parents, who aren’t really involved during the year would help. Maybe they might have some special skills that they could impart..as well. More laid back.. and kids getting together in clusters / age groups for a biblestory and then coming together for things like a presentation.. or other things. Using the outdoors is a great idea but rain or too hot days might maybe be a problem..like maybe do activites inside or have kids wear sunhats or be in a shaded area..So all will have a fun and enjoyable summer sunday school!

    • Great! I’m so glad some of the ideas have gotten you thinking of possibilities for the summer. Summer doesn’t have to be a time to dread for Sunday School if you look at it more as an opportunity to reach those you can in the ways you can. With a willingness to make some changes and a little creativity, it can actually turn out to be a wonderful ministry opportunity.

    • I’m glad the ideas are of benefit to you, Alex. Sometimes we just have to step back from the way we’ve always seen things done and think through alternatives that might work better in our particular situations. May God bless you as well.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published but may be used to contact you of any responses to your comment. Spam, requests for free material, and promotional info will not be posted; nor will a response be forthcoming. Required fields are marked *

*