Bringing Hymns into Your Family Worship Routine
Dec 09, 2024"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing songs, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”
- Colossians 3:16
You don’t need to be a member of the worship team to introduce your children to the music of the church! Hymns and the ability to sing are a wonderful gift from God, and we should use them in our families for His glory! Many of us appreciate hymns but might not know how to incorporate them into family worship. If that’s you, don’t worry! With a little intentionality, you can weave the rich tradition of hymns into your family’s daily rhythm. Here are some simple, practical steps to get started.
Start with a List
Gather your family together and brainstorm a list of hymns or worship songs everyone enjoys. Make this a collaborative activity so that every family member feels included. Your list might include traditional hymns, contemporary worship songs, or even simple children’s Bible songs. Depending on the size of your family and the ages of your kids, aim for 5-15 songs to start. The key is to choose songs that resonate with your family and bring joy to your worship time.
Set Goals for Your Hymn Time
What do you hope to achieve with hymns in your family worship? Is it to familiarize your children with certain hymns, memorize them, or even learn the stories behind them? For example, understanding John Newton’s powerful testimony behind “Amazing Grace” can deepen its meaning. In our home, we focus on one hymn per month, working to memorize it. This simple practice builds a mental library of worship songs for our kids—a gift they can carry into adulthood. These hymns may become a source of comfort and strength during life’s challenges.
Choose a Familiar Tune
Not a musician? No problem! YouTube is an excellent resource for listening to hymns and worship music. Look for a version with on-screen lyrics, as this makes it easier for everyone to follow along. If you have a musically inclined family member, they might enjoy playing the hymn on an instrument. Once you’ve chosen a version, stick with it to build familiarity. Consistency helps everyone sing confidently and makes the experience more enjoyable.
Encourage Participation
Singing together as a family is a beautiful way to worship God and express gratitude for His blessings. As Colossians 3:16 reminds us, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Don’t worry about having perfect pitch—what matters is the heart behind your singing. If shyness is an issue, turn the volume up a bit to create a fun, relaxed atmosphere where everyone feels free to join in.
Incorporate Seasonal Hymns
Consider adding hymns that align with the church calendar, such as Advent, Christmas, or Lent. Learning these songs together not only enhances your family’s worship time but also helps your children engage more deeply during church services. Many of these hymns have fascinating histories that can enrich your understanding of the traditions they represent.
A Personal Story
A few years ago, our family began a simple tradition of choosing one hymn per month to memorize together. Some of our favorites have included “Amazing Grace,” “Joy to the World,” “On Eagles’ Wings,” and “In Christ Alone.” We usually find a YouTube video with lyrics to sing along with, and we try to sing the hymn at least once a day, usually during our family dinner time. Other opportunities are when we are driving together in our van, after lunch during our homeschool schedule, taking family walks, and when we are on family trips.
One month, we focused on “On Eagles’ Wings,” and it became a favorite for our daughter Lily. She memorized it well and continued requesting it as her bedtime song long after that month ended. Knowing that these words of truth and worship are sinking into her young heart fills us with gratitude. We pray these hymns will serve as a source of encouragement throughout her life.
Key Points:
- Adding hymns to your family worship routine can be a simple yet impactful way to glorify God together.
- Setting a clear goal for your hymn time—whether it’s familiarity, memorization, or learning hymn stories—will shape how you approach it.
- Singing as a family is a joyful, accessible form of worship that everyone can participate in, no matter their musical skill.
Why not start today? Choose a hymn, gather your family, and let your home be filled with songs of praise to our great God!
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