Have you ever asked yourself, “How should I choose the best songs for the kids’ meeting, or children’s church?”
If so, it is because you are aware that song time is not the padding which fills a meeting, but in its own right is a vehicle for worship and teaching the gospel.
When words are embedded in music they seem to stick in the memory, sometimes for years, or even a lifetime.
What a great medium singing is for carrying the life-changing messages of the Bible!
In a meeting which lasts, for example, an hour, there will be time for three or four songs. The correct choice is so important.
Music can add vitality and fun to a meeting, as well as being a teaching tool.
There are several criteria which will help us to choose songs wisely. Here are six principles to help us.
1. Worship
Just as in Bible days, songs can be a great aid to worship.
They can teach an awareness of the greatness of God, and also give words with which the children can express themselves to God. One example of this is “He made the stars to shine”
This Youtube video shows suggested actions for verse 1 of “He made the stars to shine” .
Perhaps you will notice that the lady demonstrating the actions is adding a few words after some of the lines. These are not shown on the lyrics, but are definitely fun!
He made the stars to shine, (Twinkle, twinkle) He made the rolling sea, (Splash, splash) He made the mountains high, (So high) And he made me (And the Lord made you) And this is why we love him: For us he bled and died; The Lord of all creation became the crucified!
And this video gives the words for two verses, as well as some bright singing by children.
In addition, we shouldn’t be afraid of teaching the children some “adult” worship songs.
Recently, when given the option to choose a song of his choice, we heard a young boy ask for “Would you be free from your burden of sin”, and with great gusto he and his young friends joined the congregation in singing the verses followed by the chorus, “There is power, power, wonder-working power in the blood of the Lamb”!
Children from church-going families often hear songs thought of as “adult worship” at church and at home, and enjoy singing these richly expressive songs themselves.
Even if they don’t fully understand the meaning, they could carry the tunes and words in their memory for many years.
This is a wonderful resource and many teens and adults have found a children’s song a great help in adult life, reminding them of the way of salvation, giving them words when they didn’t know how to pray, and comforting and strengthening them in time of need.
2. Teaching
Doctrine
The songs we choose should not contravene Biblical truth.
Songs which have error should be rejected. It is difficult to unlearn something that has been taught by the persuasive medium of music.
And if the doctrinal element of the song is minimal, consider seriously if there is time available for such a song.
Christian living
For example, Did You Ever Talk to God Above not only encourages kids to pray, but also comforts and strengthens them. Two sections are particularly poignant and helpful.
“You can whisper in a crowd to Him. You can cry when you’re alone to Him. You don’t have to pray out loud to Him; He knows your thoughts… …Find the answer in His Word; it’s true. You’ll be strong because He walks with you. By His faithfulness He’ll change you, too. God answers prayer.
The full lyrics for this song are available here with the melody played on a keyboard. And as the writer of that post says, this piece is enjoyable and meaningful not only for children, but for adults too.
The visualised printed version of Did You Ever Talk to God Above is available here from CEF Press in the USA.
If you are in the UK or Ireland, you can also buy the printed version from the CEF Ireland online shop.
Another example of a song encouraging Christian living is I am a lighthouse by Graham Kendrick.
I am a lighthouse, a shining and bright house, Out in the waves of a stormy sea. The oil of the Spirit keeps my lamp burning; Jesus, my Lord, is the light in me. And when people see the good things that I do, They'll give praises to God who has sent us Jesus. We'll send out a lifeboat of love and forgiveness And give them a hand to get in. (Repeat) While the storm is raging, whoosh, whoosh, And the wind is blowing, ooo, ooo, And the waves are crashing, Crash! crash! crash! crash!
You can hear “I am a Lighthouse” sung here.
If you know of other songs which teach Christian principles, feel free to drop the titles in a comment!
3. Words
The lyrics should be as easily understood as possible and meaningful.
To avoid any misunderstandings, explain any difficult words or concepts.
Think about the excellent song, Countdown. Do the children know what it means – “Coming through the clouds in bright array” ?
We can avoid misunderstandings by explaining hard words and such, not all at once, but a little at a time.
4. Actions
These should not detract from the message of the words.
When singing, for example, I will make you fishers of men it is fun to use the actions of casting rods and reeling in “fish”. But, as you know, this is not the true meaning of the words.
The song is about witnessing – telling others about the love of Jesus and how we can be sure of having his friendship in this life and a place in heaven in the next life.
Perhaps as you sing the song a second time you could suggest that the children shape their hands like a Bible and “show” it to their neighbour.
It is best to make sure that actions are not more prominent in the child’s mind than the meaning of the words.
For example, Who’s the King of the Jungle? is much loved by many children, and has a wonderful truth presented in a fun way. But care has to be taken in teaching the song so that children will not only enjoy imitating the animals but will grasp the spiritual truth the song carries.
Bearing this in mind, expressive actions can be a very positive memory aid.
5. Melody and harmony
A simple and uncomplicated melody is best for children to learn and sing.
When teaching a song it is best to play it simply.
One child told us that he found it easier to follow the tune when, as he put it, the keyboard was played without too many “twiddly bits”!
When any harmony is played with care, the children can more easily hear the melody.
The tune should be apt
In a good song the words are set to a tune appropriate to the subject matter. Barth Middleton (C.E.F.) quotes an example he came across to the tune of “Deck the halls with boughs of holly”.
I was lost with all creation
Fa-la-la-la-la Fa-la-la-la.
Jesus died for my salvation
Fa-la-la-la-la Fa-la-la-la.
This jaunty melody, with its allusions to Christmas festivities, is very inappropriate for the solemn issue dealt with in this song about Christ’s suffering.
6. Linking to the theme of the Bible lesson
Not every song in a meeting needs to tie in with the Bible lesson of that day, but one or two could be selected with that aim in view. They will reinforce the teaching in a pleasant and varied way.
Don’t feel you have to go for the obvious connection. Certainly, the story of David the shepherd would benefit from The Lord is my Shepherd, I’ll walk with Him always. But the underlying teaching point – trust in God in any circumstance – will be highlighted all the more with, for example, the song produced by the Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), “Don’t be afraid… Jesus is caring for you”.
The lyrics are comforting and encouraging:
Don't be afraid, Jesus is watching you. In the dark night He is protecting you. Talk to the Lord; Ask Him to make you brave; Jesus will hear when you pray. Jesus is caring for you; Jesus is helping you too. Jesus is always there keeping you, for He loves you. (Repeat ) You're not alone, Jesus is there with you. He can't be seen, but He is there, it's true. He is your friend. He'll keep you in His care He goes with you everywhere. Jesus is caring for you; Jesus is helping you too. Jesus is always there keeping you, for He loves you. (Repeat)
The printed visualised song Jesus is Caring for You can be bought from the CEF store
And on YouTube you will find a video demonstration of some actions for Jesus is caring for you
Incidentally, this song would be an ideal one to sing when teaching our PowerPoint lesson, How to Cope With Fear.
The PowerPoint has 42 slides which present practical teaching in a memorable way.
You will also be able to download a full suggested script, which clearly shows you when to advance the slides. There are also ideas for discussion and places to share your own experiences with the kids.
You’ll find How to Cope With Fear here, with links to the free download of script and PowerPoint presentation.
Anything else?
We hope this overview has been helpful.
Are there any other principles that you think are important in choosing the songs for a kid’s meeting?
PHOTO CREDITS: Colourful musical notes – StuartMiles from Freerange Stock ; Prayerful worship – Photo by jupiterimages, courtesy of freeimages.com