Sunday school teachers do some of the most important work in the church: helping children know and love God. Most are volunteers who prepare lessons after a full day of work or study. The right books and resources can save hours of preparation and make lessons clearer and more memorable.
1. A Bible you know well — and a children's Bible
Every teacher needs their own Bible for preparation, ideally a study Bible with notes that explain background and meaning. Alongside it, keep a children's Bible (such as the ICB or a storybook Bible) in the class. Reading from a children's version helps children understand, and shows them a Bible they could read at home.
2. Lesson books and curriculum
A structured curriculum gives each week a clear Bible passage, a main point, a memory verse, a story, questions, activities and a take-home sheet. Benefits:
- children move through the Bible in an order that makes sense;
- teachers don't have to invent every lesson from scratch;
- several teachers can share the same plan.
When choosing curriculum, check the age group, the length of each lesson, whether it needs materials you can easily find in India, and whether it fits your church's teaching.
3. Bible story collections
Even with curriculum, a good book of Bible stories retold for children helps you tell stories in your own words with confidence. Practise telling the story rather than reading it — children listen more closely to a storyteller who looks at them.
4. Activity, craft and colouring books
Hands-on activities help children remember. Activity books provide puzzles, colouring pages, simple crafts and games linked to Bible stories. Choose activities that reinforce the main point of the lesson rather than simply filling time.
5. Song and memory verse resources
Children learn deeply through songs. Collections of action songs and choruses — in English and in your local language — are worth having. Memory verse cards and charts help children learn Scripture week by week.
6. Reference books for the teacher
Children ask surprising questions! A few reference books help you answer them:
- A Bible dictionary — for people, places and customs.
- A Bible atlas — maps make stories real. Children love seeing where Jonah ran or how far Paul travelled.
- A Bible handbook — a quick overview of each book.
Read our guide to Bible reference books for more.
7. Books on teaching children
Books about teaching children — how they learn at different ages, how to manage a class, how to explain the gospel simply — are valuable for new teachers and good refreshers for experienced ones.
8. Vacation Bible School (VBS) material
For summer programmes, VBS kits usually include a theme, daily lessons, songs, crafts, games and decorations. Plan early and adapt the material to your church and culture.
Preparing a great lesson: a checklist
- Read the Bible passage several times during the week.
- Write the one main point in a single sentence.
- Practise telling the story.
- Choose one activity and one song that reinforce the point.
- Prepare a simple question for each child to answer.
- Pray for each child by name.
Building a church resource shelf
Many churches keep a shared shelf of Sunday school resources. Pre-owned and used books are an affordable way to build it — reference books and story collections stay useful for years.
Browse our Sunday school books, Kids Bibles, Bible dictionaries and Bible study collections.