Music communicates truth in a fun medium that’s unforgettable. From the day he was born, Luke has lit up anytime Laura or I sing silly songs. Last week, I was watching a live video of MXPX and he crawled onto my lap, pointed at the lead singer Mike Herrera pounding his guitar, and shrieked, “Dad!” with all the joy of a preschool punk-rocker.
As stoked as I am for Luke’s punk rock music preferences, I’d prefer the lyrics of the songs he listens to to teach him the Bible. This preference led me on a search for kids Bible songs. I’ve found kids Bible songs tend to fall on a spectrum. On one end of the spectrum there are songs with biblical lyrics but terrible music and little or no interaction, and on the other end of the spectrum there are songs with great music and fun interaction but very little (if any) Bible in them at all (i.e. “Climb, Climb Up Sunshine Mountain”).
I’ve been on the hunt for kid’s songs that teach the Bible, have great music, are fun and interactive, and as a bonus don’t drive parents crazy. Here are some of our favorites right now:
Seeds Family Worship
Bible Content: 5/5 Each Seeds’ album focuses on one theological theme and each song on that album teases out that theme with a Bible verse sung over music.
Music: 5/5 Seeds creates high-quality, rock songs with lyrics accessible enough for family worship. If you think singing Bible verses that do not rhyme would get old quick, you haven’t heard Seeds.
Fun Factor: 3/5 Seeds’ writes multi-generational music for family worship. Not a lot of fun here to keep younger kids interested on their own. Not a lot of interaction and no funny or youthful voices. The interesting melodies make for great music to listen to but also make it difficult for younger toddlers to sing along. These songs are excellent for use in family worship.
Parent Friendly: 5/5 Seeds produces music parents could easily enjoy with or without kids. Give this band a listen to and consider incorporating Scripture singing into your family worship. As an added bonus, Seeds provides all the chord charts and lyrics to their songs for free on their website. Albums can be purchased at http://www.seedsfamilyworship.com or streamed from Spotify.
The Rizers
Bible Content: 5/5 The Rizers have released two albums filled with Bible verses put to pop/rock music. Because every song is a Bible verse, these songs are great for memorizing Scripture in a fun way with your kids.
Music: 5/5 Where a lot of kids’ Bible songs have music or vocals that make your skin crawl, the Rizers have succeeded in writing songs that have catchy, singable melodies for kids with music that is full band and high energy with guitar, keytar, keys and percussion.
Fun Factor: 5/5 There are no hand motions for these songs, but the excitement of the band and the energy makes the Rizers a blast for kids to sing along and dance to. No children’s choir or adults singing in creepy or sanctimonious voices here, just a fun-filled band singing whole-heartedly. As a bonus perk to the Fun Factor, the Rizers have released animated music videos to several of their songs.
Parent Friendly: 4/5 Parents won’t mind having the Rizers songs caught in their head. The one annoying hang-up is one gal in the Rizers who tries way to hard to sound like Ke$ha, and nobody wants that. Purchase The Rizers albums and merchandise at therizers.com or stream their albums at Spotify for free.
Emu Music
Bible Content: 4/5 Emu Music writes kids’ songs that are filled with fun actions like the songs parents may remember from Sunday School, but with the pro of being not only fun but also Jesus-centered and theological.
Music: 2/5 The music lacks the fullness of a band, but is filled with silly sounds that kids will enjoy.
Fun Factor: 5/5 Emu Music writes songs that are fun. Actions, interaction, fun melodies, funny voices, and silly music and sounds make Emu Music a blast for kids to listen to and engage with.
Parent Friendly: 2/5 Some of these songs may just drive you crazy after the ten thousandth time on repeat, but you’ll be happy to know your kids are having fun learning about Jesus. Buy albums at Emu Kids Music or stream on Spotify.
Songs for Saplings
Bible Content: 5/5 Dana Dirksen has released a series of albums called “Questions and Answers” that put the Westminster Shorter Catachism to kids music. There are six albums and 111 question and answers about theology put to music in a singable format with Scripture references included.
Music: 3/5 The music and melodies aren’t incredible, but, come on!–it’s the Westminster Shorter Catachism in song form. The content makes up for the poor music. Dana strums the acoustic guitar and sings the questions and answers.
Fun Factor: 2/5 Dana includes children singing along with her on the albums and sings in a winsome and warm voice. The question answer format makes for some interaction.
Parent Friendly: 3/5 Parents would not listen to this album without kids, but any lack on the music side is made up for by the awesome-factor of their kids learning the 111 questions and answers of the Westminster Shorter Catachism.
You can buy the Songs for Saplings albums on the family’s website, stream them for free on Spotify.
These are some of our favorite kids’ albums that teach the Bible in a fun way with great music. What kids’ albums have served your family in worship? Let us know in the comments.
Bible Content: 5/5 Dana Dirksen has released a series of albums called “Questions and Answers” that put the Westminster Shorter Catachism to kids music. There are six albums and 111 question and answers about theology put to music in a singable format with Scripture references included.
Music: 3/5 The music and melodies aren’t incredible, but, come on!–it’s the Westminster Shorter Catachism in song form. The content makes up for the poor music. Dana strums the acoustic guitar and sings the questions and answers.
Fun Factor: 2/5 Dana includes children singing along with her on the albums and sings in a winsome and warm voice. The question answer format makes for some interaction.
Parent Friendly: 3/5 Parents would not listen to this album without kids, but any lack on the music side is made up for by the awesome-factor of their kids learning the 111 questions and answers of the Westminster Shorter Catachism.
You can buy the Songs for Saplings albums on the family’s website, stream them for free on Spotify.
These are some of our favorite kids’ albums that teach the Bible in a fun way with great music. What kids’ albums have served your family in worship? Let us know in the comments.