Hooking Kids on a Sunday School Lesson

By Audrie Schaller

My job in the elementary Sunday school is to present the “hook” to engage the kids in the lesson topic at the beginning of the class. The aim is to make it something the teachers can build on to do their lesson.

Recently, the focus was on Jesus’ family, and ultimately a discussion of just who God chooses to be part of his family tree. I had a Weihnachtspyramid (German Christmas pyramid) that features the Holy Family and the three wise men on the bottom level, shepherds and angels on other levels.

I first asked who was on the bottom. Then I asked if we put more levels underneath, who would be part of Jesus’ family tree? The first class did not recall names of people in the biblical family tree. In the second class a boy called out “David.” Later, the Sunday school teachers would build on this.

I lit the candles and we discussed why the figures were now rotating. (I love science – spinning figures with no batteries involved!)

Then, I pulled out my Lego figures. We discussed who could be part of Jesus’ family tree as I added the figures to the rotating “tree.” Could the policeman figure? Could the communications guy? Could the embarrassed figure wearing a bunny costume?

What about the Brickster? He’s the guy from the Lego City series who is the robber. Some kids said no, he’s a bad guy. Some kids said “yes,” because God forgives and loves us all. Then, after a short prayer for “listening ears” and “open hearts” for learning who God chooses to be part of his family, I turned them over to their Sunday school teachers.

Of course, they didn’t go right away. They waited to see if I would set the fire alarm off while blowing out the candles.

I enjoy thinking up the creative “hooks” each week for these children who are open and eager to learn about God. If God has gifted you with creativity, you could serve him in Sunday school, too. Email Cathy Gannaway for details.

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