#KidMin Music

Music is a wonderful teaching tool for people of all ages. The catchy tunes and lyrics stick in the mind and heart for years to come. Especially for children, music can be an effective way to teach biblical truths and encourage Scripture memory.

But if we're not careful, it could become bad theology. I've heard some interesting lyric mix-ups from children of my church:

• "I will not forsake you" has become "I will never save you"
• "You washed my sin away" has become "You washed my zit away"
• "I am a friend of God" has become "I am afraid of God"

Needless to say, the messages they heard were not the messages that had been intended.

I like to use videos with the song lyrics shown on the screen, which is good for older children, but for pre-readers, this still doesn't help much. I think it is important to talk with the kids about the meaning of the lyrics, explain any unfamiliar words or concepts, and define pronouns in the song. This could be as simple as the leader summarizing the meaning of the upcoming song briefly between songs during music time.

Whether you use pre-recorded music or live singers, make sure that the words are clearly expressed and pronounced. Don't let the music drown out the message.