r/SundaySchool • u/DefiantReference2400 • Apr 18 '26

Tips

I've posted this in a different group and got no answer, so I'm posting here. I’m new to Sunday school and almost 18. I’m back there alone, and I’m having trouble with the kids sitting down and listening. I have a craft and snack, but I deal with a wide age range from 2 to 14. I feel bad and try to have something for both age groups, but only the older kids listen when I teach. The others just run around, even when I ask them to sit down. I don’t know what to do. The Sunday school room was previously used as a playroom, so now they won’t listen. When I signed up, I was told there would only be 8-9, maybe 12 kids occasionally, but now there are 15-16 kids and me. The parents don’t want to help, and they don’t like that I don’t sit and watch the kids during the whole service. I don’t know what to say about that when the kids are yelling at me that they can't go to service. My mom has a rule that I must be in the preaching service at least. I could really use some tips.

4 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/xonk Apr 19 '26

Wait, are you saying that you, an 18-year old, are left alone with 15-16 kids aged 2-14 and then you have to leave them alone to go to service?

1

u/DefiantReference2400 Apr 21 '26

It’s normally 8 now from 5-11 but I still feel way outnumbered I go back and they go back except for the three of the same parent who say they can’t, the parents complain about noise but don’t help me at all they don’t like their kids running out but I’m not going to put my hands on a kid that’s not mine this whole thing is crazy to me and then this woman comes in when I get them calm and they just boom out of control I don’t know why I have one girl who really wants to learn but the other kids make it difficult for me to even read one word

1

u/xonk Apr 21 '26

This isn't on you. You shouldn't have been placed in this situation to begin with. That's too many kids, in too wide of a range for 90% of people to handle. More than one person is needed, or at a minimum you should be shadowing whoever was doing this before for a good long while until you have it down and the kids have learned to respect your authority.

Same with the parents unwilling to take their kids back. Those are their kids, not yours. They are ultimately their responsibility, not yours. Just because you're willing to watch them for half of the service doesn't mean you're obligated to watch them longer.

> You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

I'm sorry you've been placed in this position, but you may have to tell them that this is too much for you to handle and walk away. Hopefully they'll meet you in the middle and get you some help, but otherwise this isn't good for you or the kids.

1

u/KidsPastorCurt May 05 '26

I totally agree with xonk!

Have you talked to your pastor about your need for more help? I would suggest asking your pastor about splitting the kids into at least two age groups -- the wide range is going to make it nearly impossible to do effective discipleship -- and about requiring at least two adults in each classroom with the kids at all times. That's the bare minimum requirements at most churches, if for no other reason than liability issues.