Why singing to God is good for you and your kids

Sara Alexander

If you ask 100 people their favorite song, you will probably get 100 different answers. Music today is as varied as the flavors of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. And like ice cream, music goes with everything.

For most people, our memories, whether good or bad, are intertwined with songs that touch our hearts or speak to our current situation. As Stevie Wonder once said, “Music at its essence is what gives us memories. And the longer a song has existed in our lives, the more memories we have of it.”

... music is an intrinsic part of the human spirit and a powerful way for us to express thoughts and feelings ...

This connection to music isn’t a coincidence. Reading the book of Psalms reminds us that music is an intrinsic part of the human spirit and a powerful way for us to express thoughts and feelings put there by God Himself.

God sings over us, and He loves to hear us sing, too (Zephaniah 3:17, Psalm 147:1). In Psalm 40, God even gave the writer a specific song to sing: “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.”

Singing isn’t just for worship leaders or church gatherings. Singing to God is something we can do anytime, anywhere — including with our kids. One of the easiest and most fun ways to train our children in the way they should go is to sing to God together.

Three Reasons Worship Music Is Powerful for Kids

1. Singing is an easy way to memorize Scripture.

One thing that sets worship songs apart is that the lyrics are derived from the Bible. Many worship songs either direct quote Scripture, but all expound on the promises in God’s Word. That’s part of what makes them worship.

If you’ve ever wondered why a worship song can seem so repetitive, it’s not from a lack of creativity from the songwriter. It’s an intentional way for God’s promises to make a lasting impression on our hearts and minds. When we sing, we’re hiding God’s Word in our hearts just like Psalm 119:11 encourages us to.

2. It’s hard to worry or be afraid when you’re worshipping.

Kids worry about all sorts of things from the monster under the bed to whether they’re going to fit in at school. Just like worship helps us let go of our fears, singing to God does the same for our kids.

When we push play on that KidSpring album they love, we are equipping our children to fight the battle against fear and doubt and sin. One instruction the apostle Paul gives consistently to young Christians is to sing. Because when we’re worried or afraid, worship reminds our hearts what’s true:

• “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” (Colossians 3:16).
• “... be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ ...” (Ephesians 5:18-20).

3. Singing can change the atmosphere in the room and the attitudes of the people in it.

As parents, we are all desperate for more joy, peace, patience, and kindness — for us and our kids. Galatians 5:22-23 reminds us that joy, peace, patience, and kindness are available to us in abundance through the Holy Spirit, or God’s Spirit in us.

Worship can shape kids' hearts from an early age.

Singing doesn’t bring in the presence of God. He is already with us (Deuteronomy 31:6). What changes when we sing is that we open our hearts to respond to God’s presence. We become more aware of God’s presence with us, and we begin to draw on the joy, peace, patience, and kindness available to us.

Worship can shape kids' hearts from an early age. When we’re singing to God, music is more than entertainment. It’s a way to teach our kids that they have a heavenly Father who loves them and wants good things for them. Talk about training a child in the way they should go!

Looking for worship music your kids will love? Get a copy of KidSpring’s newest album, “Time to Dance”.