Music, Music, Music!

When you are planning your worship service for kids, it is important that you have fun music, but it is equally important (at least in my opinion) that that music also have a message that will stay with the children long after they leave your department.  Because that is so important to me, I rarely do "fluff music."  You know what I mean.  The songs that the kids love, but have little to no spiritual value.

Looking back at my own childhood, I loved to sing "Father Abraham," but at no time in my life have the words of that song come to mind and given me comfort or helped me understand what God might have for me.  Music has a way of coming back to us at the most unusual times and when the kids in my department grow up, if a song from their childhood pops back into their heads, I want it to be something with some spiritual meat to it.  So, I'll admit it...I'm extraordinarily picky when it comes to music, but below you will find a few of my favorite artists and songs for kids worship. If you want to know more about the groups I mention, just click on their name and you will be directed to their site.

Go Fish  I love using the music from Go Fish.  It is powerful, it's fun, it's catchy, and the kids love it.   Their version of "Shackles" is below, but I would also suggest "My God," "The Sunday School Swing," and "The Solid Rock" (the last two of which are with Denver and the Mile High Orchestra).  You can get all of these songs (and many other really cool ones) on the Vacation Bible School DVD's from Go Fish.  They have put out several VBS programs and they are very good, but even if you don't use their VBS, I would suggest you purchase the music.  You can also get it on their new Worship DVD's.  It's good stuff and your kids will love it.

 

Phil Joel (Deliberate Kids)  I love the Deliberate Kids albums.  There are two of them and they are both full of amazing music.  Below is a video I found on YouTube of "Good Morning."  This would be as close to "fluff music" as I generally would use.  But this song is awesome for teaching kids about greeting folks.  We do motions (which you can either make up or probably find online), but whenever they are singing "Good morning, good morning,..." they walk around and greet one another like you often see adults doing in services.  It's a great way to get them out of their comfort zone.  I also love the songs "Strong and Courageous," "Armour of God," and "Boom-Chaka-Laka" (sounds like fluff, but isn't.)  Great music, great words.  Just great songs all the way around.

 

Group Publishing   I have used many songs from Group over the years.  They have lots of really good ones.  Their versions of "Amazing Grace," "His Great Love", "To God Be The Glory" and so many others are upbeat, and fun and full of great Scriptural truth.  But I love their slower songs for our prayer times.  Songs like "You Gave", "Love the Lord," or "You are My All in All" are a great way to prepare our hearts for prayer and I use them often. Group has lots of music DVD's that can be purchased through their site and the motions for the songs are usually on those DVD's.

Hillsong Kids   I really like a lot of the songs from Hillsong Kids.  Great words, kid friendly, and the music is often songs that the parents may know as well, so the family can worship together.  Below is a sample of their music, but they have lots out there.  You can find it on YouTube as well as their site.

                                    

                                       

So those are just a few of the songs and artists that are out there that are great for Kid's Worship.  What are some of your favorites?  Leave a comment and let me know.  I'm always on the look out for more music.  

Have a blessed week!