Teaching Children the Bible with Hymns

Isn’t it about time for the pendulum to swing back? After ten or fifteen years of fun songs for kids and praise choruses, wouldn’t it be a good thing to add a few of the classic hymns back into the mix? I’m not advocating throwing out all contemporary music, but how can we in good conscience throw out the great hymns of the church? Let’s reconsider the great hymns of the church as tools to help reinforce Bible teaching.

When you think about it, there are entire units of study contained within hymns. The hymnbook can be a valuable guide and framework as you plan your lessons. Take the wonderful hymn “Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated” by Francis Havergal. If your hymnbook arranges the hymns by categories, you’ll see “Conviction and Submission” at the top of the page.” Why not do a unit on what it means to be submitted to Jesus?

The first verse:

Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love,
At the impulse of Thy love.

Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for thee;
Take my voice and let me sing
Always, only for my King,
Always, only for my King.

Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

Christian Doctrine in Hymns
Just look at the Christian doctrines contained in this one song: the church functioning as the hands and feet of Jesus, loving God, going where God directs, doing what God wants, singing praises to God, exercising stewardship of money and time, submitting to God, and recognizing the sovereignty of God. There are enough doctrines in this song to teach on for almost a year!

Bible Background in Hymns
Consider the fact that in the hymnbook there is a Bible verse underneath the title. This will help you teach the hymn. Look up the verse with the children. Then look at who the author is. Get some copies of 101 Hymn Stories and read these to the children. These faith stories bring new interest and meaning to the hymns.

Enrich Vocabulary with Hymns
Look through the hymn to see if there are any words the children might not be familiar with. Talk about these words before you sing, and make a poster of the word and definition to post in the room.