Ministry-To-Children.com » Children’s Worship Music

How to Choose Worship Songs for Kids

Jenny Funderburke — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:28:06 +0000

There’s a lot of music out there, but it always feels like a challenge to find songs that your kids will actually sing along with. Lots of people have different purposes when selecting music. My purpose is simple. I want kids to worship Jesus. Worship can be fast and jumpy or worship can be soft and slow, but I just want kids to worship. Heres the criteria I use when selecting songs:

1. Simple words: if your songs have too many words your kids won’t sing. And generally when they are not singing they are not worshipping. Pick songs that will make sense to kids and don’t have too many words. Repetitive songs are great because kids can really learn them. Of course, the older the kids, the more complex songs they can handle. However, we have found even with the older kids they respond best to songs that are simple.

2. Meaningful words: there are a lot of great kids songs out there that don’t have a whole lot of meaning. Fun and silly songs have their place. But I really want to put songs in our kids hearts that are praising God. I want songs that are scriptural. A song can sound really cool but if it doesn’t mean a whole lot we will probably skip it or save it for a non-worship event

3. Relevant music: kids respond best to music that sounds somewhat similar to music that they listen to in “real” life. Songs that you and I worshipped to ten years ago probably won’t be as attractive to kids today. I remember a couple of years ago hearing our preschool choir teacher play a kiddie version of “Stomp” by Kirk Franklin. Remember back in the day when that was the coolest song ever? Now it’s a preschool song! Music changes. Your kids want songs relevant to today. Try the fifth grade test. If you can find songs a fifth grade boy likes, everyone else will like it too.

Bonus: Songs that are also sung in big church. I love when we are singing the same songs throughout the church. I’m love when kids can go to big church and know the words. I think there’s some great value in parents and kids being able to worship together. You can also find kids worship songs on YouTube that families can share together at home.

Here are my favorites that we use a lot in our kids ministry. Please leave a comment below to share your ideas too.

Video: Armor of God Song by Go Fish

Tony Kummer — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 15:36:22 +0000

This song about the Armor of God is from Go Fish’s album Kickin It Old School. The video below was created as part of that VBS curriculum. and the song “I’m A Soldier In The Army Of The Lord.” To get this video (plus 8 more) on DVD, visit the Go Fish website and purchase the Kickin’ It Old School DVD.

I’m A Soldier In The Army Of The Lord ~ Lyrics from Go Fish

This song, like others on the album, mix a classic hymn with updated lyrics from Go Fish. For example, in this song they add this middle section directly talking about the Armor of God.

I’ve got my breastplate on
In the army of the Lord
I’ve got my helmet on
In the army
I’ve got my sword and shield
In the army of the Lord
His truth is marching on
Bring it on

You might also enjoy our armor of God coloring pages and free Bible Boot Camp VBS.

Fruit of the Spirit Scripture Song & Video

Tony Kummer — Mon, 16 May 2011 18:53:50 +0000

The video above was recorded by Seeds Family Worship to kick-off the blog tour of their latest album called “Seeds of Character.” It’s an amazing set of songs all directly on God’s Word. The whole point is to plant Scripture into the hearts of kids and families.

As part of this tour, we hosted a giveaway too, but that is no over.

The Seeds of Character blog tour is continuing all week on these other great website. Click through to them to see new videos.
~ Justin Taylor hosts “The Life” video on 5/17
~ Impress Your Kids hosts “The Character Song” on 5/18
~ Sami Cone hosts The Wages & The Gift on 5/19
~ Dad in the Middle hosts “Put on Love” on 5/20
~ Homeschool Creations hosts “Delight” on 5/23
~ Tim Challies hosts “More Than hosts Conquerors” 5/24
~ Home With The Boys hosts “Teach Them” on 5/25
~ Angie Smith hosts “The Perfect Example” on 5/26
~ Faithful Provisions hosts “Give Thanks” on 5/30
~ Girl Talk Home hosts “Children & Fathers” on 5/30

Sunday School Songs for Beginners

Mimi Bullock — Fri, 06 May 2011 10:21:29 +0000

Sunday School began in the 1700′s and has been an integral part of childhood ever since. At the beginning of this movement, poor children with no education learned how to read at church schools on Sundays. Of course, Sunday’s schooling centered on religious education and over time, it became the primary crux of the church’s Sunday functions.

One important evolution of this movement was the development of Sunday School songs. These tunes were useful for reinforcing Bible lessons, teaching Christian principles and they were just plain fun.

If you had the opportunity to attend Sunday School as a child, chances are you remember some of those songs even today. Teach your class to sing songs and use hand movements to praise the Lord. These Sunday School songs for beginners are a good place to start teaching.

Jesus Loves Me: United Methodist Women has an audio sample and the lyrics to this song. Teach kids to point up when singing “Jesus” and to point to themselves on the word “me.” The word “loves” is illustrated by rubbing over the heart with the right hand. The word “yes” is demonstrated by nodding your head up and down. This beginner’s Sunday School song is perfect for toddlers and kindergarten classes.

It’s Bubbling: GospelMusic.org has the chords and words to this simple song. The two main words to focus on are “bubbling” and “soul.” Illustrate “bubbling” by wiggling the fingers quickly. The palms should face out and the hands held close together, side-by-side. A more active way to teach “bubbling” is to have children jump up from a squatting position. Little ones especially love this. On “soul” have children place both their hands folded over their abdomen. This Sunday School song remains one of my favorites.

This Little Light of Mine: KIDiddles song page has this bouncy song, including the lyrics and music. The “light” in this song is illustrated by the pointer finger. The finger should point upward and can even bend to make it “flicker.” When you sing the verse, “hide it under a bushel” use the opposite hand to make a sort of basket to cover the light. Pull the hand away and shout “No!”

Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World: Listen to the Cedarmont Kids sing this song on YouTube. This moving video will inspire your entire Sunday School class. This song is slow and worshipful and many children know it. For “Jesus,” make a sweeping motion with your right hand starting at the left shoulder and crossing over the abdomen to the right waist. This motion is also like a royal sash a king would wear. “Loves” is again the rubbing of the heart with the right hand. “Little” is shown by placing your hands palm down next to your waist. Next, “children” is demonstrated by making a circle motion around your face. The “world” can be made by using your hands to make a circle.

Other Songs for Sunday School

After you master the above favorites with your class, try these familiar tunes, “Down in My Heart,” “He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands” and “Praise Him.” There are tons of free resources out there for beginning teachers. You can also watch Cullen Wood demonstrate over 20 Christian songs for children on her YouTube page.

Read more from Mimi at Encouragement for Christians.

Top 5 Classic Hymns to Teach Children (With Video)

Tony Kummer — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:57:35 +0000

It’s been about three weeks since I asked readers to pick the most important hymns we should be teaching to the next generation. There was so many good suggestions from Facebook that I launched a poll here on the website to sort out the best.

The results have been steadily coming in and a consensus is growing. Click here if you still want to participate in that selection. Here are the clear front runners as chosen by our readers. The videos below are all from YouTube. I’ve tried to show a little variety in the selection. Enjoy!

Top 5 Hymns to Teach Children

1. Amazing Grace

2. Jesus Loves Me

3. What a Friend We Have in Jesus

4. This Little Light of Mine

5. How Great Thou Art

Kickin’ Old School by Go Fish (Music Review)

Wayne Stocks — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 14:26:39 +0000

"Kickin' It Old School" is available from Amazon.com

This past fall, the group Go Fish released their 6th album for kids. The name of the album is Kickin’ It Old School, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. As soon as I downloaded it from ITunes, I knew I wasn’t going to be disappointed.

The general idea for this album was to take old classic hymns and refashion the music into something kids and parents today would enjoy listening to it. Added to that is one original song which became the title track for the album. This album is one which is long overdue and should be in the library of any children’s ministry worker, parent, grandparent and anyone who enjoys the classic hymns.

Click here to read our coverage of the VBS theme based on this music.

On a personal note, we’ve had the album now for several months, and my kids (from age three up through almost 10) all enjoy it. I’ve even seen my 17 year old bopping along to it in the van. It is one of the few albums that all of my kids can agree on and ask for almost every time we go somewhere in the van. Of course, the only downside is once they realize it is Go Fish, they immediately ask me to slip over to the Party Like A Preschooler Album to play “Hard to Be Cool in a Minivan,” but that’s a problem I am willing to live with!

Here’s a little bit more about each song.

Kickin’ It Old School is the title track, and for my money the catchiest tune on the album. It may quite possibly be the catchiest song Go Fish has ever done. I love the beats and the lyrics which focus on getting back to the roots of Christianity and the Bible and ignoring all the “fluff.” I find myself singing this song over and over. I’ve used it as background music for games and other activities at church on Sunday, and I have an idea for acting out the song in a music video, but I haven’t gotten around to that yet!

Sweet Song of Salvation / I Love To Tell The Story features the wonderful acapella sounds of Go Fish and a seamless marrying of these two classic hymns. Following the acapella intro, the song breaks into a very upbeat call to share the Gospel of our Lord and Savior.

I Am a Solider in the Army of the Lord is probably my second favorite song on the album. The song begins with scripture regarding the full army of God and then goes into a soulful rendition of the hymn. The background music and beats give the song a very pressing and urgent feel consistent with our role of soldiers of God.

This is My Father’s World begins with news footage with compelling music in the background then fades into a small child saying the Lord’s prayer and reminds us all through the words of the classic hymn that God is in Control. The upbeat (almost techno) sound at time is a perfect compliment to this reassuring hymn.

Blessed Assurance includes the smooth sounds of a classic Doo-Wop group, and like other songs on this album, these guys from Go Fish make it seem like that is how the hymn was originally written to be sung.

Before the Throne of God Above is a hymn which I had heard of but was not all that familiar with before this album. That said, it has quickly become one of my favorite with its deep and rich theological foundation. Go Fish stuck close to the “original” feel for this song with a relatively subdued and introspective feel to the music coupled with amazing harmonies.

I’ll Fly Away is a hymn that I loved long before I ever was a follower of Jesus. I am fascinated with more contemporary remakes of the hymn, and I have to say that Go Fish’s version ranks very near the top of what I have heard if not at the top.

Shelter In a Time Of Storm has an old time gospel feel from the very beginning. I dare you to try to listen to this song and sit perfectly still. It will never happen. If you aren’t swaying and singing by the end it, you might want to check your pulse to see if you still have one!

The Solid Rock (with Denver and the Mile High Orchestra) is, to no one’s surprise, done in the style of classic big band music and doesn’t miss a beat!

The Old Rugged Cross has always been one of my favorite hymns. Like “Before the Throne of God,” I thought the music selected for this song preserves the weight of the Gospel and particularly the moment of the Cross.

No doubt by now, you have caught on to how much I enjoy this CD. I would recommend it to anyone. In the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you that I DID NOT receive a free copy of the CD or anything else from Go Fish, other than a lot of enjoyment from listening to their music, in connection with writing this review.

Let me share one last story about the impact of this album. One afternoon my wife was driving up to the high school to take care of some business she does as a volunteer. My three-year-old, Nathan, was in the back and asked Mommy where they were going. She replied that they were driving up to the high school. To that, Nathan asked, “You mean, We’re Kickin’ It Old School?” My wife hadn’t heard this particular album yet which made it all the funnier for her, but the moment was priceless and proof to me of the power of music even in the heads of our youngest kids.

Poll: What are the Most Important Classic Hymns for Kids?

Tony Kummer — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 16:15:52 +0000

Last week I posted a question on Facebook about your favorite classic hymns. The idea was to find out which of these songs are most important to pass on to the next generation.

It was a spirited conversation and readers named nearly 50 different songs! There were some clear leaders, but I didn’t have enough of a consensus for the post I wanted to write. This post is your chance to settle the question. Please vote below and leave a comment if you would like.

View This Poll

New Easter Songs & DVD from God’s Kids Worship

Tony Kummer — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 10:04:30 +0000

Preview music clips from this DVD on the God's Kids Worship website

I had high expectations when I first heard about the Easter DVD collection from God’s Kids Worship. So far, everything they’ve sent me has been very impressive. In fact, their modern worship kids music has become my default music for kids church.

After previewing the Big Basket of Easter Songs, my respect for Bob Singleton has only grown. This DVD is really going to help kids ministry leaders. It’s the easiest way yet to provide an excellent worship experience in children’s church.

The DVD features a mix of modern and classic hymns, all of them custom recorded to help kids worship. I love the video presentations featuring easy to read lyrics with background animations. Here is the complete track list. You can sample them all on their website.

Alive, Alive
All Creatures Of Our God And King
Beautiful Savior
Hosanna Loud Hosanna
I Know That My Redeemer Lives
If I Don’t Praise Him (Luke 19:40)
Jesus Paid It All
Joyful Joyful, We Adore Thee
Nothing But The Blood (modern worship version)
O, Worship The King
Oh, How I Love Jesus
This Is My Father’s World
This Is The Way God Loved (John 3:16)
Were You There?
When I Survey The Wondrous Cross

Plus the whole DVD is split track, so you can use this for an easy kids Easter performance. The disk also contains all the computer files you’ll need for advanced use or making rehearsal copies (license for 30 rehearsal copies included.)

New CD “Seeds of Character”

Tony Kummer — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 12:04:17 +0000

If you have been following on their Facebook page, you know that Seeds Family Worship is now recording their 6th CD titled “Seeds of Courage.” This is an exciting new collection of character songs that point back to Jesus Christ. Like all their music, the lyrics are directly from the Bible.

When you pre-order this album, they are offering a cool bonus.

You order now and they’ll ship you a Christmas card with a code to download the first 6 songs from the new album.
Then when the full CD is released in April 2011, they’ll automatically ship that too. This includes the famous Seeds buy-one/give-one packaging–two identical CDs providing you an extra to share with friends near or far.

Because I’m a big fan of Seeds, they are doing a special promotion here on our website. This is your chance to win 1 of 10 copies of the download/CD.

To enter, check out the following sample track from the new album. Then click here leave me a comment with your first impressions. I will randomly draw the winners this Friday 10 December and get them in touch with the people at Seeds for their prize.

Editors Note: This contest has now ended and the winners have been notified by email. Thanks to everyone who participated and to Seeds for offering these great prizes.

If you can’t get the download to work you can listen to a concert version of the same song at this link.

Does Kids Worship Music Even Make You Want Throw-Up?

Tony Kummer — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 19:23:03 +0000

I loved this post from Tim Challies today where he recommends some solid Christian music for kids.

Among others, he lists some of my favorites. These include Seeds Family Worship and Sovereign Grace Music.

Some Christian Music Is Not Good

What makes his post so great is the example of bad worship music. I’ll just post the video and let you say what’s wrong with this song. Click here to leave a comment.

Now, I don’t want to tear apart people who are honestly trying to make music that is engaging and relevant to kids. But at some point you’ve got to think to yourself — this just isn’t right!