Do you teach kids on Wednesday nights? Have you ever noticed that they are a little bit wigglier on Wednesdays than on Sundays?

On Wednesday nights, kids are wired because they have been sitting at school or at homeschool all day. They have been sitting and learning for the majority of the day. On Wednesday nights, it is important to teach them how to sit when it is time for your Bible study lesson, but remember that they are kids and they will wiggle around, especially on Wednesday nights. Check out these six tips so you will not be overwhelmed and so your kids will actually learn the Bible study lesson.

First, give kids your expectations at the beginning. For example, I have three big rules during Bible study:
1. No one talks while the teacher is talking.
2. Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
3. You can’t go to the bathroom during Bible study.

Two or three short and simple rules will help kids remember them, and it allows you to set expectations early. When someone breaks one of the rules, you can quickly remind them what the three main rules are at church.

Second, give kids time to wiggle. Allow wiggling through fun songs, an interactive countdown, or a fun game. Let kids know when this might happen before you even begin, and tell them that this is their chance to wiggle. If kids know this will happen, there is a better chance that their wiggles will pause and wait for that exciting moment.

Third, give them something to fill their bellies. Kids don’t always eat dinner before church; offer a small dinner or a snack to help them focus.

Fourth, give kids a consistent Wednesday routine. If you have the same schedule each week, kids will know when they will have a chance to be silly or let their wiggles out. Add surprises by having fun theme nights; of course, make sure parents know about these theme nights far ahead of time so they can prepare. If you have three rotations on Wednesday nights, maybe have one of those rotations contain a surprise while the other rotations stay the same. For example, the two normal rotations are Bible study and recreation, while the surprise rotation could include science, crafts, or a snack.

Fifth, give kids fun incentives. These incentives could occur because they behaved well, brought their Bibles, or brought a friend. The fun incentives could include pretend money, candy, or a sticker reward chart for younger kids. Try different incentives to see which one resonates with your kids.

Sixth, give kindness. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” — Ephesians 4:32. This is my life verse, and it is extremely applicable to your situation with children. Sometimes it is hard to be kind when children don’t listen. As a minister or a teacher, you have worked really hard to prepare your Bible story lesson, and you might get frustrated when kids don’t listen to what you have prepared. Give kindness freely because God gave it to you freely. Pray for kindness to overflow out of you and for that kindness to be contagious.

Also, in your kindness, just be happy they are at church. From sports events to the movies, kids and parents could attend a lot of different activities throughout the week. Remind yourself, as a teacher, minister, or leader, that these kids have chosen to be at church—be grateful for that win!

Julie Donavan has served in children’s and preschool ministry for 16 years and is currently the children’s minister at Hollinger’s Island Baptist Church in Mobile, AL. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville State University and a Master of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School. Julie has written discipleship resources and leadership training for Lifeway, The Baptist Paper, and the Alabama State Board of Missions. Called to ministry at age nine, she continues to serve faithfully alongside her husband, Connor, and their two young children.