COCUSA BLOG
For parents who want their families to have fun while growing closer to Jesus and to each other
The Soundtrack for Teaching Your Kids About the Bible
When you think back to your teenage years, your favorite song or artist underscores most of your best memories. Music has a profound impact on shaping our experiences. As parents, we can use the power of music to inject God's truth into the hearts and minds of our children. Here's a few bands that make music specifically to help your family memorize Scripture. Even though they're songs for kids, they won't drive you crazy!
In the car, at work, at school, eating out, waiting in line, in the elevator, at the gym - music is everywhere. Music motivates us to focus, distracts us when we're bored, gives us words to express our deepest feelings, and transforms a get-together into a party. When you think back to your teenage years, your favorite song or artist underscores most of your best memories. Music has a profound impact on shaping our experiences. As parents, we can use the power of music to inject God's truth into the hearts and minds of our children.
We can use music as a way to teach our kids more about the Bible, and enjoy growing in their relationship with God.
We echo God's creativity when we make songs and melodies. How much more when we sing God's own words back to him! Even if you aren’t a gifted musician, everyone can enjoy song and dance to a good beat (well, some of us just "dance"). Here's a few bands that make music specifically to help your family memorize Scripture. Even though they're songs for kids, they won't drive you crazy!
The Rizers (short for Memorizers) "instill in kids a love for Jesus Christ and his word through Scripture memory, praise and worship." Here's a music video for their song Proverbs 3:5-6 (Trust in the Lord).
You can follow the Rizers on Facebook or listen to their music on Spotify.
We highlighted Seeds Family Worship a while back as a great resource for learning Scripture together as a family (read our post about Seeds Family Worship here). They have hundreds of songs that are word-for-word memory verses available to stream or purchase, as well as videos and other resources to make your experience even more fun.
Another band that you and your kids are sure to like is Bear Hug Band. While their lyrics aren't word-for-word from the Bible like The Rizers or Seeds Family Worship, their songs still hold biblical wisdom and truth. Check out their video for Big Big Love below, and stream all their music on Spotify.
God's gift of music is powerful. Let's use this gift for his glory as we teach our children more about his Word.
Forget the Red Carpet - Make Your Own Awards Show
February is awards season, which also means it's the month that I find out about all the movies and music I missed last year. But I don't usually watch a movie or listen to a song because they were nominated for an award. Like most of you, I make those choices based on recommendations from my friends and family. Award season is the perfect chance to make our own lists of favorites and share them with everyone in the family. Here's some ways to let your kids make their own personal awards show.
February is awards season, which also means it's the month that I find out about all the movies and music I missed last year. The lists of nominees always make me think, "when did that movie come out?" or "I've never heard that song before" and "I need to pay more attention."
But when it comes down to it, I just don't care. I don't care who's nominated, whose speech ran long, or who wins best-breakout-whatever. I don't usually watch a movie or listen to a song because they were nominated for an award. Like most of you, I make those choices based on recommendations from my friends and family.
Award season is the perfect chance to make our own lists of favorites and share them with everyone in the family. Your kids definitely have their favorite movies, TV shows, and music, and they would love to tell everyone about them! Forget the red carpet, and make your own awards show with your kids. Here's a few ideas to get your family started.
1) Make your lists.
Give your kids a few categories, and let them pick their top 3 in each. If your family loves movies, you could make categories like "Funniest Movie," "Best Animated Movie," or "Movies My Friends and I Like." If you've got a family of readers, make categories for books like "Longest Book I Read Last Year," "Saddest/Scariest/Happiest Book I Read Last Year," or the classic "Favorite Book." You can make similar categories for music, tv shows, restaurants, games, etc.
2) Present your favorites.
This step can be as glamorous or as informal as you'd like. You can go all out decorating the family room to look like an awards show, or simply post your lists on the fridge. Give each member of your family the chance to present their lists while everyone else gives their full attention. The undivided attention will help each of your kids to feel loved, listened to, and appreciated.
3) Experience the winners together as a family.
After the presentations are over, make time to experience each person's favorite book, song, movie, or show together as a family. Even if it might not be your personal favorite, you'll learn more about your kids and what makes them tick. Take advantage of the teachable moments in each of their picks, and talk to your kids about the messages and lessons that they communicate. Your kids will be thrilled that you took the time to share in their favorite things.
What movies, shows, or music do your kids like? Leave a comment and let us know what you would recommend to other parents, and what you would avoid. Let's learn together how to listen better to our children and enjoy the things that they love.
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