It’s easy to think your kids are too young or they lack the understanding to learn and sing children’s hymns, but that’s not always the case. In fact, most children will start to understand more about God and what the Bible is teaching us by learning it through song.
It’s the same reason that schools use songs to help their students remember things like the alphabet.
While your children might not take an interest in what the pastor is talking about at church, they might take a much bigger interest in the songs you’re singing.
This is especially true when dealing with young children. Most of these songs are designed with young children in mind and utilize simple music and lyrics to hold their attention and help them better understand Biblical concepts.
In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of teaching children hymns as well as 15 examples of some of the best hymns for children of all ages.
Why Teach Your Children Hymns?
1. It Gives Them a Strong Foundation
Christian parents share a common goal to raise their kids right and help ensure they understand what God expects of them. One of the most challenging areas a lot of parents struggle with is what their kids are listening to on the radio and elsewhere.
Music can be very vulgar, dirty, and sometimes repulsive. Start them off on the right foot by getting them to listen to hymns from a young age. They’ll start to recognize the songs, develop opinions on them, and maybe even sing them.
There is quite a bit of Christian doctrine in children’s hymns, so by having your kids listen to hymns, you’re also exposing them to the truths that scripture teaches us.
2. It Helps Them Worship
Many small children may not understand why we worship and how we do it. Most children feel nervous or intimidated by the act of prayer, so instead they can worship through song.
If you’re at church and your child doesn’t know one of the songs that is being sung, this might be a great opportunity for you to introduce them to it.
Doing so will help teach them that it’s okay to sing at church and in fact, it’s encouraged that you participate. When they get used to singing this kind of music, they’ll eventually become accustomed to participating in the worship service.
3. Hymns Help Kids Understand the Bible
Most hymns are nothing more than rephrased Bible verses so by reading, learning, and singing hymns, your children are learning more about scripture.
We’re not only helping our kids expand their vocabulary and learn more words but we’re helping them understand how to read the Bible and interpret some of the important lessons we can take away from scripture.
4. Develop a Taste for This Particular Type of Music
As previously mentioned, we live in a tough world. This world is full of evil, hate, sex, and drugs. These things influence secular music with lyrics and messages we might want our kids to avoid.
Unfortunately, we can only go so far in helping them avoid this type of music. Once they go to school and spend time around other kids, their interests will start to change and they’ll likely listen to music we’d rather they didn’t listen to.
The best thing you can do is get your kids used to hearing music about God and Jesus. It’s great to sing praises to God but not all God-honoring music has to be hymns. There are many popular Christian bands that play incredible music that is tasteful to younger ears.
Here’s a list of some of the most popular children’s hymns:
- When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder
- I Know Whom I Have Believed
- Jesus Saves
- It Is Well With My Soul
- Victory in Jesus
- Great Is Thy Faithfulness
- Oh, God Our Help in Ages Past
- Amazing Grace
- What a Friend We Have in Jesus
- Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
- This Is My Father’s World
- When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
- Take My Life and Let It Be
- All Creatures of Our God and King
- Great Is Thy Faithfulness
As we said, your kids don’t only have to listen to hymns geared toward children. If your kids are a bit older or their taste skews in the direction of secular music, they might enjoy some Christian bands. Here’s a list of some of the most popular Christian music groups.
- Lauren Daigle
- for KING & COUNTRY
- Hillsong UNITED
- Casting Crowns
- Elevation Worship
- Hillsong Worship
- MercyMe
- Skillet
- Bethel Music
- Chris Tomlin
Final Thoughts
By exposing your children to the right music at a young age you can have peace of mind in knowing you are leading them in the right direction.
Your kids are never too old or young to start taking an interest in Christian music. Children’s hymns are a great place to start when they’re first showing an interest in music.
Children’s hymns can not only expose young people to God’s message, but also hopefully spark a lifelong commitment to a Christain life.
