Daylight Savings Time Sunday School Lesson
John 11:1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
John 11:2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
John 11:3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
John 11:4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
John 11:5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
John 11:6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
John 11:7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.
John 11:8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
John 11:9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
John 11:10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
John 11:11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
John 11:12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
John 11:13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
John 11:14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
John 11:15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
Daylight Savings Time Clock
Daylight Savings Time Snack
Just print and cutout. Fold over a snack filled ziplock bag 6 1/2 X 5 7/8. Staple on each side at the top. Fill with round ritz crackers and round pepproni's to represent the clocks.
Daylight Savings Time Clock
Daylight savings Time Clock
Daylight Savings Time Clock
Daylight Savings Time Clock
Daylight Savings Time Clock
Daylight Savings Time and What It Means for Your Family and Church Routine
Daylight Savings Time is something we all experience twice a year, but for parents, teachers, and children's ministry leaders, it can bring extra challenges and opportunities — especially when working with toddlers, preschoolers, and young children. Whether you're adjusting to "springing forward" and losing an hour or "falling back" and gaining an hour, this time change can affect little ones' routines, attitudes, and even how we approach our Sunday mornings at church.
What Is Daylight Savings Time?
Daylight Savings Time (DST) is when we adjust our clocks forward one hour in the spring to enjoy more daylight in the evenings and back one hour in the fall to bring earlier sunrises. While the extra daylight in the spring and summer can be wonderful for outdoor family activities, this shift in time can feel like a big deal to kids who thrive on regular schedules — and let's be honest, it can be tough for adults too!
How Does Daylight Savings Time Affect Families and Children's Ministry?
For families with toddlers and preschoolers, adjusting to Daylight Savings Time may bring sleep disruptions, cranky mornings, and general confusion about why it’s suddenly "dark when we wake up" or "still light at bedtime." In children's ministry, Daylight Savings Time can mean grumpy, sleepy kids showing up to church, and sometimes even families arriving late because they forgot to adjust their clocks! That's why it's so important for churches and teachers to remind parents ahead of time and be flexible and understanding when families are adjusting.
Tips for Helping Kids Adjust to Daylight Savings Time
Here are some practical and loving ways to help little ones and families adjust to Daylight Savings Time — both at home and in Sunday School:
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Talk about it early!
- Let kids know a few days before that "Soon, our clocks are going to change! We'll wake up at a new time!"
- Use simple language they can understand: "The sun will be in a different place when we wake up!"
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Start adjusting bedtime little by little.
- Shift bedtime and wake-up times by 10–15 minutes in the days leading up to the time change to help their bodies adjust slowly.
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Keep the routine consistent.
- Stick to familiar morning and bedtime routines so kids feel secure, even if the clock looks different.
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Prepare kids for Sunday School.
- Teachers and children's ministry leaders can send reminders home or post on social media: "Don’t forget to set your clocks forward (or back) for Daylight Savings!"
- Have extra grace for kids (and parents!) who might be late or adjusting.
How Can Churches and Teachers Use Daylight Savings as a Teaching Opportunity?
Daylight Savings Time isn’t just a time change — it can be a great way to teach kids about God's creation and time! Here are some ways to use this moment as a teaching opportunity:
- God Made Day and Night: Remind children that God made the sun, moon, and stars, and He gives us day and night (Genesis 1:14-19).
- Time is a Gift from God: Teach that every day is a gift from God, and we can use our time to love others, play, learn, and be kind.
- God Never Changes: Even though time changes, God never changes (Hebrews 13:8) — He is always with us, morning and night!
- A Chance to Talk About Patience: Adjusting to a new time can be hard, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to teach kids about patience and trusting God to help us through big and small changes.
Encouragement for Parents and Teachers
If you're feeling stressed about Daylight Savings Time, you're not alone! It’s okay to take things slow and give grace to yourself and others. Whether you're a parent trying to get kids out the door for church, or a teacher preparing for Sunday School, remember that God gives us strength and patience — even on tired mornings!
Galatians 6:9 reminds us, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
Ideas to Help Children Celebrate Daylight Savings Time in a Positive Way
If you want to make Daylight Savings Time fun and meaningful for kids, here are some simple ideas:
- "God Made Time" Craft: Let children decorate clocks or suns to remind them that God created time and is always with us.
- Sunshine Praise Dance: Have a special movement game where kids dance to songs about God's creation of day and night.
- "Thank You God for Time" Prayer: Teach a simple prayer: "Thank You, God, for day and night. Thank You for giving us time to love You and others!"
- Day and Night Sorting Game: Use pictures of things we do in the day (play outside, eat breakfast) and night (sleep, pray), and let kids sort them to learn about God's plan for time.
- Light and Dark Bible Story: Share about how God made light and dark (Genesis 1), helping kids connect Daylight Savings with God's creation.
Final Encouragement: God is in Control of Time!
No matter how crazy our schedules may feel with Daylight Savings, we can rest knowing God holds all time in His hands. He never forgets about us and is always near — whether the sun is up or down.
So as we turn our clocks forward or back, let’s also turn our hearts to God, thanking Him for giving us every day to grow, love, and shine for Him.
If you’re looking for Daylight Savings Time lesson plans, Bible crafts, and toddler-friendly church activities, browse our collection here on this website or over at ChurchHouseCollectionStore.com! We’re here to make your Sunday School planning easy, creative, and fun!
