Like most parents, when I pick up my son from preschool, I ask, “What did you learn today?” His answers vary from a shrug to telling me something weird one of his classmates did that day (a child put a bean in his nose again, in case you were wondering).
The Enduring Gift of Music
But later in the day, I will hear him humming or singing “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” or “God Loves Me Dearly,” and I know what he learned that day. He learned that Jesus loves him, died for him, and rose again for him. Those simple songs they sing at chapel and in school stick with him, even if he doesn’t always tell his mom about it.
My husband’s grandmother was a church organist for over forty years. In her late eighties, she started to lose some of her memory. But if you sat her down at the piano, she could crank out the tune to “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” or “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” with the best of them.
Music is such a wonderful gift from God because it speaks to a place in our souls that endures throughout our lives. Music shapes our memories. From the youngest to the oldest saints on earth, God’s Word proclaimed through music calls to mind the most important truths of His steadfast love for us.
Think about the special memories you have of worshiping God with music. Singing “How Great Thou Art” at a loved one’s funeral. Attending a Christmas concert with a huge symphony that sounded like heaven itself had opened up. Singing “Kum Ba Yah” around a simple campfire. Hearing your mother sing “Jesus Loves Me” late at night when you had trouble sleeping.
Making Music at Home
Singing praise to God with your church family on Sundays is a meaningful part of worship. We can also bring music into our everyday lives at home to help us stay focused on Christ and create meaningful moments with the people we love!
Sing to the LORD, bless His name; tell of His salvation from day to day. (Psalm 96:2)
God’s Word encourages us to sing praises “from day to day,” throughout our daily lives.
Maybe you’re not a great singer or a musician of any kind. That’s okay. Your voice is your child’s favorite sound, just like you love hearing the sound of their little voice singing too. It doesn’t matter if it’s perfect. The use of hymns and worship songs at home can calm tensions, deepen our relationships, and deliver God’s Word to our hearts on a daily basis. Just imagine the memories your kids will have as they connect the sound of their parents’ voices with the message of God’s love. What a powerful reminder they can go back to throughout their lives.
Here are a few simple ideas to help your family sing to God on a daily basis, no matter what age or stage you are in.
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For littles: Find whatever instruments you have lying around (kazoos, play pianos, little drums) or make shakers out of old spice jars and rice. Get out your hymnal and sing some songs as your kiddos play along! Or play your children’s favorite praise songs on your phone as they bang on a pan with a spatula in the kitchen.
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For older kids: Sing a duet with them for a special family gathering! Practice a cappella songs such as “Father, I Adore You,” or find accompaniment for “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” If they play an instrument in school, find sheet music for hymns and simple praise songs.
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For teens: Let them be the DJ in the car, but give them a specific topic or genre to choose from (Easter songs, songs with the word Jesus in the title, a song they sang in church that week). Get them involved in church music, if they show interest, from praise band to handbells to choir.
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For grown children and all family members: A song can speak volumes to someone you love who is going through a hard time. Text YouTube videos or lyrics of favorite hymns to your grown children or any family member to encourage them in whatever they are going through.
Scripture: ESV®.
Download this month’s Everyday Faith Calendar and discover the songs woven through Scripture. Each day gives you a quick Bible reading and a simple prayer prompt to nurture faith development at home.
