6 Secrets to a Calm & Controlled Sunday School Class
The kids are yelling. They’re throwing things. They’re fighting. They’re laughing…maybe even at you. This kind of chaos in a classroom makes you feel like the only way to get their attention is to… YELL!
But yelling works for…about three seconds. Then the chaos returns, but now your throat hurts.
I promise there’s a better way!
Hi! I'm Nathan, the founder of BetterBibleTeachers.
And yes, that's me in the video. 🙂
Here are six simple, yet EFFECTIVE secrets for a calm Sunday School classroom (that don’t involve you turning into the Hulk):
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1. Calm Authority Beats Yelling
Kids don’t respond well to yelling. They either freeze, ignore you, or stare at you like you just grew a second head.
Instead, use a calm, confident voice. Not a whisper. Not a shout. Just a “Yep, I’m the adult here” tone. When you stay calm, kids slowly copy you. It’s magical.
But what if they’re being REALLY loud, and you need to get their attention first?
Here’s what you can try:
Pause before speaking. The silence confuses them…in a good way.
Flip the lights for a second. Suddenly everyone looks up like surprised owls.
Use a call-and-response. For example, you say “1-2-3,” they say “eyes on me.”
Your vocal cords will thank you!
Remember modeling is major. Model the behavior you want from your class. If you don't want a class you feel like you need to yell at, than stop yelling and start modeling the behavior that you want. Use alternative methods like some of the above to change the actions they see you taking on a regular basis.
2. Don't Punish the Whole Class for One Kid
One kid throws a crayon or speaks out of turn, and suddenly, 18 innocent souls get the full force of your wrath.
It can happen to the best of us.
Once we get enough buttons pushed, we just want the problem to stop. So we end up punishing the entire class over one kid.
But then, those 18 innocent souls begin plotting your downfall…
Ok, I know I’m being overly dramatic here. But the point is: collective punishment = chaos with a side of resentment.
collective punishment = chaos with a side of resentment
Instead, calmly redirect the one child. For example: The kid tapping his pencil is driving you wild? Walk over, tap the pencil gently, and whisper, “Let’s keep our pencils on the table.”
You fix the behavior without unleashing a classroom-wide emotional meltdown. Win-win.
3. Set Expectations Before Chaos Starts
Kids always rise–or sink—to the level of your expectations.
If you say, “Raise your hand before answering,” but then reward the kid who shouts out like a game-show contestant… guess what? You’ve just created the rules of “Survival Sunday School Edition.”
Set your expectations early. Make them clear. Then…actually follow them! (That’s the hardest part).
And here’s a pro tip: catch kids being good.
You don’t have to reward them with candy every time they do something kid. Simple acknowledgement will suffice!
For example, “Wow, great job listening!” or “Thanks for staying on task with your worksheet.”
Bonus trick: Let kids help create a rule or two. When they have ownership, they turn into tiny rule lawyers… but in a good way.
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4. Short Instructions + Action Cues = Magic
When you give long explanations, kids check out. Mentally they’re already at snack time.
Keep instructions short. Add a physical or visual cue.
Try things like:
A hand signal for “wait”
A clap pattern to get their attention.
A freeze game so everyone stops mid-wiggle.
Try a call-and-response phrase to get their attention, like this:
Teacher: "One, two, three, eyes on me."
Kids: "One, two, eyes on you."
Tada! No Yelling!
And for younger kids? Make it fun. For example, let’s say you need to get some 4-year-olds into a straight line. Pretty much impossible, right?
Not if you tell them they’re frogs hopping onto lily pads (a.k.a. pieces of green paper on the floor). Boom. Instant line. Zero yelling.
5. Don’t Fight Their Energy—Redirect It
Expecting kids to sit still for an hour is like expecting your cat to enjoy a bathtub. It’s not happening.
Build movement into your lesson:
Act out Bible stories
March during memory verses
Add wiggle or stretch breaks
Once, my class was bouncing off the walls during a memory verse. I had everyone march in place while reciting it. Suddenly the chaos became cute, coordinated marching energy. And I did not yell once. A miracle.
Think of your favorite teacher ever. Were they a drill sergeant? A total pushover?
6. Give Them Connection, Not Just Rules
Think of your favorite teacher ever. Were they a drill sergeant? A total pushover?
Nope. They cared and they led.
Kids behave better for adults who see them, know them, and like them.
Even if you have a lot of students, you can find a way to connect with them. It might take just 30 seconds. All you have to do is…
- Giving them a compliment
- Ask them a question
- Notice something about them
Connection → respect → listening → calm classroom.
I remember a girl in my class who interrupted constantly. Eventually I realized she just really wanted interaction and assurance. She wanted to discuss what we were talking about before I moved on to the next point.
So one day I asked her to share her thoughts before we moved on. That tiny moment of connection changed everything. She listened better. Helped more. Interrupted… way less.
If you have a lot of interruptions in your classroom, you have kids that are dying to interact. So why not make your classroom more interactive?
Find all the ways you can to allow them to speak so it’s not just you lecturing.
For example:
- Let them read Bible verses out loud
- Ask them for their opinions on something you just said
- Ask if someone ever had situation like the Bible person you’re discussing
- Let a kid lead a game or activity
Yes, Your Chaotic Classroom Can Be Calm
But it may not happen this Sunday.
Make one change at a time. Implement one of the tactics below each Sunday, until they all become “normal” for you:
- Use calm authority
- Correct individuals, not the whole class
- Set expectations early
- Give simple instructions + action cues
- Channel their energy
- Build connection
Do these, and you’ll save your voice, reduce stress, and stop turning into Hulk Teacher. You’ll teach like a superhero—cape optional.
It could take some time to transform your chaotic Sunday School class into a calm one, but it’ll happen!
Now go run that classroom with confidence and kindness (and maybe a pocketful of stickers).
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