KIDS WORSHIP
GIVING KIDS A BIBLICAL DEFINITION OF WORSHIP ( PART 3 ) | Yancy
I have a dream that one day every church leader will champion worship to happen in the disciples they are making . We champion giving , missions , and serving but often , are less than enthusiastic or passionate about encouraging songs of the redeemed to rise up and be proclaimed . Yeah , I know what you ’ re going to tell me . In most cases minutes have been carved out for worship to happen on any given Sunday . But , are you as invested in truly leading them to worship within those minutes as you are just singing the songs ? As I recently made notes , consulting with an organization about this very thing , I wrote down in regard to their worship leader : “ It ’ s more about leading and less about the singing .” I think we ’ ve been holding on to the coattails of singing songs in our services for far too long . The results are in most cases a less than involved congregation is checking the box on worship . Instead , let ’ s give them knowledge and understanding . Let ’ s disciple them to know what worship is . Worship discipleship is not three songs being sung . It ’ s a leader shepherding the hearts of those they lead . One of the best ways I know to build knowledge in your group is to talk about worship . Give them practical information that grows their awareness for the power in their worship . Let ’ s change their perspective on how God values their offering of worship . Knowledge is power . You ’ ve been positioned uniquely to lead this area . Let ’ s help them move worship into action .
Let ’ s continue learning some Hebrew words for praise .
ZAMAR- zaw-mar It means to make music . To celebrate joyfully in song . To pluck the strings or parts of a musical instrument .
Zamar is a musical word . Giving praise to God is a musical thing . Yes , we can worship God with our life and the various choices we make throughout each of our days . But , there is something special that happens when an instrument is played … when a sound or a rhythm is expressed and when the voice of creation sings to give praise and honor to the Creator of all things . God knows that music is a gift because He created it . He knows that there is power in music whether it ’ s played on an instrument or sung with a voice . Praising God with Zamar can help give us the feelings and the words we need to declare , proclaim , and give our worship to the ONLY One in our life that truly deserves it . Praising God with Zamar commands us to sing and make music . Psalm 57:7 says “ God , my heart feels secure . My heart feels secure . I will sing and make music to you .“ ( NIrV ) Similar is also Psalm 108:1 .
CAPHAR- saw-far It means “ to count and number . To recount , rehearse and count exactly .”
The Bible instructs us to make a list of ALL the ways that God has been faithful . It tells us to be specific . This word Caphar encourages us to write down every good and perfect gift we have been given . Count your blessings and name them one by one . Throughout the Psalms you notice recurring themes and expressions of worship . In fact , in Psalm 136 it says over and over again “ His love endures forever ”. Repetition helps you take something to heart . It helps the message to not just be words on a page but to be truth that you can cling to . Psalm 96:2-3 “ Sing to the Lord . Praise ( Barak ) Him . Day after day tell about how He saves us . Tell ( Caphar ) the nations about His glory . Tell all people about the wonderful things He has done .” ( NIrV )
HALAL- haw-lal It means to boast , rave , shine , celebrate . To be clamorously foolish .
Not foolish in a negative sense but as in laying aside your inhibitions and killing your self-consciousness . I describe my music as “ making Jesus loud ”. I am boasting in Jesus . I want all I do and say and even wear to shine . I am celebrating God ’ s goodness in loud , fun , rockin ’ and sparkly ways . I believe every day is worthy of a praise party . That is “ Halal ”. It ’ s the word from which we drive “ Hallelujah ”.
Psalm 149:3 Let them praise ( Halal ) his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp . ( NIV )
I am praying for you as you consider ways you can teach these things to your group . Additionally , I ’ d encourage you to think through these questions :
• How does your church place value on worship ?
• How are they intentional to use worship to help raise up Christ followers ?
• Talk to other leaders and staff about their heart and vision for worship discipleship to happen for the generations of your church .
© 2023 Yancy Ministries , Inc .
Yancy Yancy is a worship leader and songwriter for kids that travels the globe doing family concerts and training worship leaders . Every week her songs are used in thousands of churches around the world . Her Dove Award winning music is all the things kids love and everything adults value . Her popular worship resources include “ Little Praise Party ”, “ Kidmin Worship ” and “ Heartbeat Curriculum ”. Yancy wrote her first children ’ s musical for Lillenas Kids : “ Best Christmas Song Ever ”. She authored the book “ Sweet Sound : The Power of Discipling Kids in Worship ”. She lives with her husband and sons in Nashville , TN .
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