RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Our goal when we teach kids should not just be about dishing out content, but about making sure the truth we share transfers into their long-term memory.  Simply put, we want God's Word to get stuck in their head for life. 

One of the most powerful tools you can use to accomplish this is music.  Research shows that when kids are involved with music, more areas of their brains are engaged.  The result is better focus and better memory.

Most of the kids sitting in your room on Sunday have a natural response to music, so when you tap into that response, it makes learning much more effective.  Here's 5 ways you can use music to enhance your lesson, engage kids and help them remember what you teach long-term.

Use music to help kids worship.
This is an obvious one.  Use music to help kids engage in worshipping God.  Worship ushers kids into God's presence and prepares their hearts to receive the truth you will share with them.  Here are some of the music resources I recommend with links.

Yancy
Hillsong Kids
Go Kids - We've Come Alive
Elevation Church eKidz - One in a Million
Gateway Next - Look Up
Amber Sky Records

Use music to help kids memorize scripture.  
Scripture set to music is a great way to help kids memorize God's Word.  Here's an example of how we recently did this in our ministry to help kids memorize Jeremiah 29:11. 



A great resource that sets Scripture to music is JumpStart3.  JumpStart3 creates modern music that hides God’s Word in kids' hearts.  Every song is word-for-word Scripture.  They've created a fun system of memorization that combines visual, auditory and kinesthetic learning styles to make Scripture stick.  Be sure to check them out. 

Use music to help kids remember lesson truths and Bible stories.  
You can do this by having kids make up songs based on key truths or Bible stories.  Studies show that when kids make up a song using facts they are given, it cements the facts into their long-term memory.  Want a flashback example?  Zacchaeus was a wee little man and a wee little man was he...

Use music to help set the tempo of the lesson.
Music is a great way to adjust the tempo of your lesson.  Fast background music can bring energy and excitement to games.  Medium speed background music can help discussion times be more engaging.  Slow, prayer background music can bring a spirit of reverence during prayer time. 

Use music to give kids opportunities to express their creativity.
Kids long for opportunities to use their natural creative energy.  When you give them the opportunity to participate in singing, express God's Word through songs and create lyrics based on the truth you've given them, they will respond with engagement.

Okay.  The floor is yours.  How do you use music to enhance your lessons?  What are some other resources you recommend for kids' worship music?  Share your thoughts and ideas with us in the comment section below.