USE MUSIC AS A TOOL TO MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
“ What is sung by song will be remembered long !” This is a phrase I tell our children regularly , and it is true . We all have experienced hearing a song on the radio or a tune in a store and recalling the lyrics later . The same is true of old commercials heard over and over during our childhoods . Musical memorization is powerful .
God knew of music ’ s unique power to help us learn and memorize . God used music to teach many generations of the Israelite people : “‘ Now therefore write this song and teach it to the people of Israel . Put it in their mouths , that this song may be a witness for me against the people of Israel . For when I have brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey , which I swore to give to their fathers , and they have eaten and are full and grown fat , they will turn to other gods and serve them , and despise me and break my covenant . And when many evils and troubles have come upon them , this song shall confront them as a witness ( for it will live unforgotten in the mouths of their offspring ). For I know what they are inclined to do even today , before I have brought them into the land that I swore to give .’ So Moses wrote this song the same day and taught it to the people of Israel ” ( Deut . 31:19-22 ).
What Scripture passages or Bible truths would you like your children to memorize ? Whether it is the Ten Commandments , the genealogy of Christ , or the Westminster Catechism , excellent resources are available to use music for instruction and memorization . I highly recommend Roots Kids Worship , a ministry that has set core Scripture passages such as the days of creation , the Romans road to Salvation , Psalm 23 , and The Lord ’ s Prayer to music . Seeds Family Worship has an excellent collection of albums available to teach Scripture , including what I consider the best song for memorizing the books of the New Testament .
“ Give ear , O heavens , and I will speak , and let the earth hear the words of my mouth . May my teaching drop as the rain , my speech distill as the dew , like gentle rain upon the tender grass , and like showers upon the herb . For I will proclaim the name of the Lord ; ascribe greatness to our God ! The Rock , his work is perfect , for all his ways are justice . A God of faithfulness and without iniquity , just and upright is he .”
The Song of Moses is a beautiful song that describes God ’ s character and power and can be read in Deuteronomy 32 .
USE LITERATURE , NOT TEXTBOOKS , TO TEACH MUSIC
I will never forget the winter we read through Eleanor Estes ’ beloved classic The Moffats books . Our read-alouds were a delight as we belly-laughed when the children in the story learned to dance the Sailor ’ s Hornpipe and when their illprepared organ recital went awry . These were memorable moments in literature and served as a springboard to learn about music . We watched videos of the fancy footwork involved in the dance . We laughed until we cried while reenacting the story and dancing for Dad that evening and many evenings to come .
Music is everywhere in literature , and reading the best books will make music come alive for your family . From Little House on the Prairie to The Lord of the Rings , look for the music , and you will find it ! Some of our family ’ s favorite literature with musical themes include Fiddlestrings by Marguerite de Angeli , I Saw Three Ships by Elizabeth Goudge , The Story Orchestra books by Katy Flint , and biographies by Opal Wheeler . Give one a try and enjoy the musical curiosity and conversations that follow .
22 THE RENEWANATION REVIEW