Sing A (Great) Song

The other day, I was reading Voddie Baucham’s monthly newsletter.  Not that he needs my help in advertising, but if you do not subscribe yet…Why not?  You really should.  Like his books and sermons, each newsletter is full of all sorts of practical, biblical advice and encouragement for families.

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 But, I’m getting off track.  Back to why I started talking about the newsletter in the first place…

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This month, my attention was drawn specifically to the “Family Discipleship Corner.”  The topic was “Sing Great Songs with Your Kids”. 

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We play CDs of great music throughout the day – hymns, worship songs, instrumentals, (a select few) contemporary Christian songs, Scripture set to music… And, while we are playing, or coloring, or cleaning, or in the car, we love to sing along.

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So, based on the title of the article, I thought, “Okay, we’re good.  We do that all the time.”  Until I read the first sentence:

 “Singing is perhaps one of the most under-appreciated aspects of family discipleship.”

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Although we sing throughout the day, because we do not sing as part of our structured family devotional time each night, this statement made me wonder if it was under-appreciated in our home as well.  And, it may be that this is an area that we need to prayerfully consider, and be more intentional about including…

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But, “family discipleship” is not limited to a specific time, or activity.  Family discipleship definitely includes family devotions, but discipleship should be, or rather, is taking place all day long.  And, hymns, and other great, theologically, and doctrinally sound songs do not have to be relegated to church services, or to “official” times of family worship.  They should be a regular part of our normal everyday life.

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Baucham’s article goes on to say,

“The great hymns of the faith are tremendous tools with which we can instruct our children in sound doctrine while obeying the Lord’s command to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Col 3:16)”

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Hannah is only four.  Can we, and should we really expect her to get much out of those (so-called) archaic hymns?

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True, she may not always understand each concept or deep theological truth presented in some of the great old hymns.  But, I’d venture to guess that many adults occasionally have trouble with them too.

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The point is not that children “get it” immediately.  The goal is to “try to find songs rich in doctrine that your children can grow into.” 

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And, by playing and singing these songs throughout the day (or as part of our daily family devotions) Hannah is becoming familiar with them.  She is asking questions when she doesn’t understand a concept.  And, we, as her parents, get the privilege of explaining those truths (and, at times, learning alongside her!).  As a result, there are times when she gets it.  She grasps a deep theological concept, and, yes, at 4-years-old, she gets excited about it!  So do we!

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That is family discipleship.

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Don’t underestimate the value and the power of these tools – of singing the great songs, hymns, and spiritual songs – with your children!

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What are some of your family’s favorite “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs”?

How do you intentionally integrate them into your family discipleship?