Song Posters

By Kathy Petrillo | January 4, 2020 |

Music is a gift from the God who created our universe. In our collective worship, He wants us to speak to one another in Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. (Ephesians 5:19) Our Bible classes can also benefit from this gift because singing incorporates rhythm, repetition and rhyme. Those 3 elements can greatly enhance learning!

We already do this for learning many things like learning the books of the New Testament and Old Testament. We also sing the 12 Apostles song and the 12 Sons of Jacob song.

This article presents my all time favorite Bible Class song resource, Sing A Story by Jewel Kendrick. She went through the entire Bible setting words of Bible stories to familiar folk tunes. She wrote an Old Testament book, a New Testament book and a book for Acts. They may be purchased here: https://store.bibleclassworkshop.com/products/560-sing-a-story/

Her songs are time tested and the kids really enjoy the songs. Kids retain facts and details because the songs are engaging and even fun. The song below is from Sing A Story by Jewel Kendrick. It is sung to the tune of “I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy”.

This is sung to the tune of “I’ve God the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy Down In My Heart”. To save writing space on the page, I used the musical “repeat signs” since we repeat the phrase “Under an oak”. It turns out there was plenty of space to have written them out in full, but I thought this looked easier. Besides, it teaches a musical concept that is used in our hymn books

My favorite way to include these in Bible classes is to display them on standard poster board. I display them on an easel so the whole class can sing together.

This is the story of Joseph set to the tune of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”.

Old flannelgraph pieces are ideal to add visual interest.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

I have noticed that in the past 10 – 15 years, there has been a marked decrease in the teaching of music in our public schools. Children are not learning to sing the traditional folk songs that have been around for so long. This means that children in Bible classes have become more reluctant to sing. Not only that, but they may not know many folk songs. What a shame!! These songs by Jewel Kendrick are so engaging that the children eventually join in and find they are enjoying singing. This is good for them now and good for the future of the church.

Work to incorporate singing in your classes. I believe you and the children will be blessed richly as a result.

Posted in Songs