I’ve always been amazed by music. Even the most educated, trained, and experienced musicians
struggle when tasked with pinning down what music actually is! I view it as a creation and gift
from God to be used for His glory.
Not only is it a gift from God, it is also meant to be a regular part of how you relate to members
of your church family: “speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord,” Ephesians 5:19 (CSB)
Music is also surprisingly influential in the spiritual formation of our children. We all have music
that we can remember from childhood. As soon as you hear a particular song, you are instantly
transported to a different place and time from long ago. Even though you may not have heard the song
for twenty years, you still know every word! This is equally true for those of us raised in the
church.
I was born in the late eighties and had the unfortunate pleasure of being raised on some
exquisitely corny Christian music. However corny it was, I can still remember every word. I’m
thankful for that because most of what I heard in my early childhood was straight from the Bible.
I remember gathering in the chapel area of my Christian elementary school and singing a song
that used the KJV translation of Matthew 6:33. I am certain that the melody of that song will stay
in my head for the rest of my days, and for that I am eternally grateful. The melody of the
song was only a vehicle to brand my brain with the eternal truth of God’s Word!
Recently, my wife and I were exposed to an excellent Bible memory music resource.
Someone let us borrow a CD and we threw it in the minivan without thinking much about it. I
was pleasantly surprised to find that the music was creative, engaging, and funny! My 3 year old
loved the sound of it and quickly memorized every word. Also, it is a blessing to know that the
entire album was made up of passages from the Bible. We were instant fans!
We have been listening for about a year to songs from that album and others as a family.
However, I still did not realize the impact these songs were having on my kids until a recent
Sunday morning.
I was sick and unable to make it to church. However, my wife and two daughters were able to
attend. When they got home, my wife told me that while our Pastor was preaching he mentioned
Ephesians 6:12-13. The minute he did, my now four-year-old smiled at my wife and quietly sang
the song that corresponded to those verses! She knew every word {and of course my wife knew the tune by heart.}
What’s the point? Anytime the Word of God can be planted and cemented into the hearts and
minds of my family I am thankful. Romans 10:17 says this: “So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.”
I hope that my words stick in my daughters’ minds, but human words can only do so much. The
“message about Christ” is what produces faith. Imagine what God will do with the songs my
daughters are learning. Imagine what He will do in my wife’s heart. Imagine what He will do in
my heart by hearing these songs intended for children.
I want to encourage you today to fill your minivan, home, and day to day with songs filled with
God’s Word. Saturate your life with biblically sound music. Sing to and with your children
whenever you can about our God, and sing loudly when you worship alongside them on Sunday
mornings. God the Holy Spirit will use the Word He inspired to do amazing things!
NOTE: Frank is referring to the music from Slugs & Bugs. We’ve also shared other resources such as JumpStart3 and Seeds Family Worship. At Family Time Training, we love to share resources we find that can help build up your family in God’s Word. These are not affiliate links. Enjoy!