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Christian Music for Children
- 11/22/10
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There is a vast amount of Christian music targeted at children. The problem is that there is a lot of junk as well—stuff like this. My kids are not particularly drawn to music so we have probably overlooked a lot of the great resources out there. Nevertheless, there are a few that we’ve come across that they continue to enjoy. So here are some of our favorite kids’ albums. I’d love you to read through and add your own suggestions in the comments.
Seeds Family Worship
Seeds Family Worship sets Scripture to music. It’s that simple. They do it with fun, pop music. All of the lyrics are drawn straight from the Bible (NIV). If you are a Friend of the Blog, you’ll find one of their albums there as a free giveaway. This is music your kids will listen to, but they’ll also get up and jump around or dance to it. My kids love it.
Sovereign Grace Music
Sovereign Grace Music (a ministry of Sovereign Grace Ministries) has recorded two albums for children: To Be Like Jesus and Walking with the Wise. To Be Like Jesus contains twelve worship songs that teach the fruit of the Spirit in a creative and memorable way while Walking with the Wise look to Proverbs to teach wisdom. At Grace Fellowship Church we sing several songs from these albums at our Wednesday evening services.
Getty Music
Keith and Kristyn Getty have released one children’s album titled Songs that Jesus Said. As you can discern from the title, it focuses on the words and the teachings of Jesus. It has lots of fun, catchy tunes that the kids enjoy. If you’ve seen the Getty’s live, you may have seen them set some of these to actions.
Judy Rogers
My family grew up listening to the music of Judy Rogers—at least my sisters did, since I think my parents discovered her after I was already a bit too old. Her albums are quiet and acoustic and focus on simple, biblical truths. Go to the Ant focuses on Proverbs, Why Can’t I See God helps children think systematically about biblical truth while Walking Wise turns to the Bible’s wisdom literature. I am not familiar with her newer albums. These albums are probably best for young children up to age twelve or so.
Songs for Saplings
Songs for Saplings is James and Dana Dirksen from Porland, Oregon. They have recorded four albums, one of which follows an A,B,C format while the other three are questions and answers, much like a catechism. I suppose these albums will largely appeal to younger children. They are quiet and acoustic.
The Rizers
The Rizers is a brand new band that has released just one album so far. Like Seeds, they set Scripture to music, though in this case the music is a little more upbeat. They seem to be targeting the crowd that would otherwise be listening to Disney-branded pop. “Our mission is simple, we want to instill in kids a love for Jesus Christ and his Word through Scripture memory, praise and worship.”
Now you can help me out. What music do your children listen to? What are some of the good ones I’ve missed here?
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to Aileen and a father to three young children. I worship and serve as a pastor at 
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Comments (55)
Steve Green, Hide ‘em in your Heart volumes 1 & 2. Both our pre-school kids love it…our eldest is 4 and knows the words, which are simply Bible verses off by heart.
Colin Buchanan. My 2 year old boy LOVES him & his music is biblical, Christ-centred and substantial; super memory verses (inc. the 10 commandments); he’s a great communicator and a ‘big, strong man’ (so a great role model of a Christian man). And his music is encouraging for the mandatory listening we mothers do! https://secure.colinbuchanan.com.au/index.html
Another source for Bible Verse Songs is the new sets of CDs from Children Desiring God (John Piper’s Church’s Ministry for Children) set up for their fighter verses.
There are complete sets for Set D and Set E.
Set E (Linked here), for example, has the entire Sermon on the Mount.
http://childrendesiringgod.org/resources/resource.php?id=7&productPageId=1
Or head over to my blog for more information:
http://responsiblefather.com/information-about-the-fighter-verse-song-cds/
I second Colin Buchanan. For kids 2-9ish I don’t think there is anything better. If adults took on board the lyrics and messages of his songs they’d be doing well. While his content is superb he is also a fantastic entertainer. Get his DVDs to go with the albums. I’ll stop there, but by all means find his stuff.
Dittos on Steve Green and Judy Rogers. We also listen to Indelible Grace music with our kids, which works itself out pretty funny ways sometimes—like when my two-year-old breaks into song in the store by singing the chorus “washed us with his blood.”
Oh, Songs for Saplings … the alphabet one is definitely for younger children … but any elementary children would enjoy the set of 3 question and answer CDs. My older elementary kids even confess to liking volume 1 which is intended for smaller. I can’t believe how well done they are, so many of these kinds of CDs are cheesy and all the songs sound alike. But these have so much variety and are so catchy and the truth found in them has made me cry. I give these as gifts constantly and am so glad we own them!
Great post! Our family loves Andrew Peterson’s Slugs and Bugs and Lullabies. My kids love dancing to his songs! I love his songs because his lyrics are funny, not annoying.The lullaby section of the CD has some beautiful, gospel centered songs that I hope my kids can really hear one day. My favorite is “You Can Always Come Home.” Check it out.
http://www.andrew-peterson.com/music/
I have to tell you, the Songs for Saplings CDs are absolutely wonderful. Through these songs, Dana helps hide the Truth in our children’s hearts and minds… and it doesn’t stay hidden! It’s awesome to see that when we’re talking about a story in the Bible, and our three year-old asks what “gods” mean… i.e. if that’s talking about God (with a capital G)… and we can explain to him about idols/false gods and then ask HIM what the truth really is: “Are there more gods than one?” His quick response: “No, there is only one God!” Amen. That, and hearing “Who, who, who is the Redeemer? Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?” with Elmer Fudd-esque enunciation is pretty cool. ;)
Thanks for this list, Tim!
actually, Sovereign Grace Music has an earlier kids cd about 5 or 6 years old called “Awesome God”. Like the latest two, it is excellent. We also like a cd put out by Perimeter Church in Atlanta called “Who, What, Where, When, Why”. It is cool music that goes through the first thirteen (I think) questions of the shorter catechism.
The Village Church has also released an excellent album that is free.
I too have been listening to the ‘Hide’em In Your Heart’ albums by Steve Green since I was a kid… I loved them then and my girls love them now… The songs are scripture put to music with the reference included (in most cases)… Also available on iTunes…
I’m also with Meg… ‘Slugs & Bugs’ is a lot of fun and they now have a Christmas edition out (I got a few songs for free on ‘Noise Trade’)!
Yay! I’m so glad you mentioned Songs for Saplings! My kids LOVE Dana’s music, and so do my husband and I - Questions with Answers are our favorite CDs on long car rides to grandma’s house. By the time my younger daughter was 3, you could ask her, “What is justification?” and she’d sing right back at you, “Justification is God forgiving all my sins and declaring me to be righteous! There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!”
Songs for Saplings music has been such a great way to help my children internalize the Truth of the Gospel and better understand the character of God. We’re very thankful for this ministry!
There are few things in life more enjoyable than listening to your four year old daughter sing the catechism as she walks around the house. Songs for Saplings is an essential part of our daily listening library.
My husband forwarded me this list, thanks for compiling it!
Another suggestion is By Heart Scripture Songs. I love that she uses KJV for the Scriptures.http://www.generationcedar.com/main/shop/scripture-cd
Tim, thanks for sharing what I have known for a couple years now. Dana’s music is a great pastor-helper … speaking as a pastor. Each CD is richly theological and delightfully winsome, based on a simple children’s catechism (itself based on the Westminster Shorter). As children make their way through the CDs, they develop in biblical doctrine from who God is to their pressing need for Jesus and His work on the cross. Musically, Dana takes the kids from crisp acoustic to hipster playful to Norah Jones-esque silky. Brilliant stuff! My kids are pretty sure this is how angels sing!
An inside source tells me that volume 4 is on the way … it can’t come soon enough!
Funny, just this morning, my three year old was singing a song from Sovereign Grace’s Awesome God CD. He sang, “Now he is is Heaven, Seated on his CROSS, At the right hand of the Father…” My six year old interrupted and said, “It’s ‘seated on his THRONE!’ Jesus isn’t on the CROSS anymore!” AMEN! Preach it! We love that CD.
You missed the Go Fish Guys! (http://www.gofishguys.com/cms/) They are AWESOME!! “Music for kids that won’t drive parents crazy!”
Hymns for a Kid’s Heart (Volumes 1-4)Devotional books teaching hymns - comes with CD
Titles in the series include:
Hymns for a Kid’s Heart ~ Volumes 1 and 2
Christmas Carols for a Kid’s Heart (Volume 3 in the series)
Passion Hymns for a Kid’s Heart (Volume 4 in the series)
Available at Amazon.com, ChristianBook.com
Here’s another hurrah! for Seeds… won’t drive the parents crazy, and helps us to memorize important scripture. I had brain surgery in January and I rolled into surgery with their version of ” He will keep in perfect peace, He whose mind is steadfast because He trusts in Thee.” I couldn’t think of anything else but my kids songs! What a blessing. And Sovereign Grace’s Awesome God is a fabulous way to teach some really deep theology to kids, and to really fill their minds with the gospel. Please parents, take time to search for the quality stuff… not that dribble that our Sunday Schools think will “entertain” the kids. These songs will stick with them for life.
Try Lori Sealy’s “Remember Your Creator”—wonderful!
Andrew Peterson’s and Randal Goodgame’s **Slugs, Bugs, and Lullabies**
Though, sometimes when listening to it I wonder if it for adults who are still kids… nonetheless good music, hilarious lyrics.
Jamie Soles (solmusic.com) !!!!!! Reformed, fun, memorable.
THANK YOU for this! Between your post and the comments, this is awesome! I have all the Seeds CDs and use them not only with my own girls, but I use them for chapel at school as well. I’m running short on new songs that work with the Scriptures for the week, so new resources are highly appreciated! Can’t wait to check the others out!
We also have enjoyed the Awesome God album from Sovereign Grace…love listening to the little ones sing! And we also enjoy Jamie Soles, a great Canadian musician!
Songs for Saplings has been a wonderful ministry for our children (and us too)! I don’t know any other preschool children (besides those that also have the CD’s) that can answer such deep theological questions; like “Why did God make me?” Definitely music that the kids beg to listen to in the car and I gladly concede!
Songs for Saplings is awesome! So glad to see them featured here! Our church uses the Songs for Saplings ABC CD for our children, ages 3-5 to memorize short and child-relevant verses from the BIble. They are ultra-catchy. The kind that really get stuck in your head. ;)The question and answer 3-volume set is a GREAT way to teach truths of our Christian Faith (based on the children’s catechism / shorter catechism.) WITH (and i LOVE this part!) scriptural references right in the songs! great work!!! ;)
Totally, GO FISH are so great! My kids love them, and so do I!!!!! Can’t say enough about GO FISH
agreed!! ;)
My girls love Jana Alayra’s music. www.janaalayra.com/I have used it with our kids at church too.
We LOVE Songs for Saplings! The children (young and old) love to sing along with the cds. It is such a joy to hear your children singing the great doctrines of the faith!
Jamie Soles, Songs for Saplings, and Judy Rogers.
Thanks to all for your kind words for Songs for Saplings! You are all very sweet, and it’s very encouraging to hear how you have benefited from the music.
Now, for the record:
You can’t go wrong with any of these (and we’ll be looking into the other mentioned here as well). Thanks Tim for providing a forum for this discussion.
BTW, Songs for Saplings music has now been translated into Chichewa (for Malawi) and Russian, and we’re getting ready to start on French. Please pray for our work the next time you hear one of our songs.
-James Dirksen - Songs for Saplings
Use christmas2010 for a 15% discount on CDs this year.
I definitely want to second (third) the suggestion of Colin Buchanan. He writes catchy, easily memorised songs that are easy to sing and are deeply biblical.Because he is an Aussie it might be harder to source over in North America (Though I’m sure he would be on iTunes). But worth it.
Re-commenting just because I haven’t been getting the updates when new comments are posted… nothing really new to say!
Jamie Soles and family - Biblical and fun!http://www.solmusic.ca/
I’ll go along with Colin Buchanan’s music, too. We use some of his songs in church, too.
Also check Emu Music’s seven children’s music albums at http://tinyurl.com/24zkxad (that will take you to the Australian store. There are stores for the US and for the UK, too).Albums vary in age suitability, from pre-schoolers to probably around age 10 or 11. All are great theology, in my opinion. We use some of them in church, too.
http://teachthemthefaith.com/www.teachthemthefaith.com/Home.html
Shorter catechism to song
Yes - Colin Buchanan is awesome! Our boys (2 and 4) are hooked. Don’t let distance discourage you from ordering from Colin’s website: https://secure.colinbuchanan.com.au/shop/index.html
He regularly has ‘don’t pay for shipping’ offers (which you get notified of if you are on their email list) and get this: he doesn’t limit it to Australia! Yep, free shipping all the way to Canada :) If you act fast, you can take advantage of the free-shipping offer for all of November - “No-Freight November”We love to give Colin for Christmas presents to expose more people to his clear gospel presentation.We just received a package today!Check out his King of Christmas album and DVD.We also love Colin’s books which come with a CD of Colin reading the book - great devotionals for kids based on themes from his songs.
We LOVE Songs for Saplings!! We own everyone, and give them for gifts to all. My kids have grown up as these CDs have become available, and now with kids at 10, 13 and 15 we still sing along in the car!! We’ve gone to several of the Songs for Saplings Concerts—which are so fun to sing along!!
Songs for Saplings is awesome. I know this because I never cringe when I hear my four-year-old start up a SFS CD in her room ; ) “Are There More Gods Than One?” and “Who Are The Three Persons Of God?” are stuck in my head regularly - and I don’t mind that either. Dana’s songwriting is sticky, her voice is just about as close to perfect as it gets, and her love for kids and for the Gospel comes through in every word she sings.
My kids are grown with children of their own and we have got our grandchildren CD’s from Bryan Suderman - Small Tall Music. (smalltallmusic.com). We like the music but there is another connection - our sons knew Bryan when they were all MK’s in Bolivia back in the early 1980’s.
A fourth voice to add Jamie Soles (www.solmusic.ca) My kids love his songs, and they are Biblical. He deals with some very sticky subjects, and doesn’t shy away from explaining odd verses either … makes a great starting point for discussions. I particularly love how Christ centred his lyrics are. Worth checking out!
My boys grew up with “The Donut Man” videos and tapes. They are biblically sound and kids love them! We have used Donut Man songs with kids in our church for years. I am a very picky mom/grandma, but I have always trusted Rob Evan’s products. I have already purchased the entire dvd collection for my granddaughter, and she is only 2 months old! http://donutman.com/
We also loved GT & the Halo Express (also biblically sound and enjoyable by all). GT & the Halo Express cds are bible verses put to song, all inside a story. The entire family can recite verses to the songs we learned from these cassette tapes. I plan to purchase these in cd for grandbabies! http://www.gthalo.com/
As mentioned before, Judy Rogers is excellent and also a favorite. Again, I plan to update to cd. http://www.judyrogers.com/
Now for audio books/stories, no one compares to Jim Weiss. He is the best of the best in my family’s opinion. Our boys are age 23 down to 16 and they still remember his tapes & cds with fondness (classic abridged books and other stories). They can still recite segments of their favorite stories! My husband & I really enjoyed them too. I will be purchasing these for my grandchildren, as most of what I have is on cassette tapes. By far Jim Weiss tapes/cds are one of the best investments in children’s entertainment we ever made. http://www.greathall.com/
Songs for Saplings has the substance of high quality theology coupled with the fun approachability that children love. My kids have grown up with these songs and they have enhanced their life.
I’ll second the GoFish Guys - http://www.gofishguys.com/cms/
We did their “Backstage with the Bible” VBS this past summer and my kids are still enjoying it. Their goal is to put the Bible back into Vacation Bible School, which I think they do well. A secondary goal is to have music that parents won’t hate, and they succeed at that too.
This year they are “Kicking it Old School” - ie doing hymns for the VBS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for this list!!It has been my constant search since I became a parent -for theologically sound, musically sound, delightful music that focuses on teaching scripture and the truths therein. I am EXTREMELY picky, and my children have suffered for lack of finding a source that meets my criteria.
UNTIL I discovered Songs for Saplings. :-DMy children love and request their songs frequently. When they aren’t asking to listen to them, *I* am requesting to listen to them. As others have said, the music is truly wonderful - and somewhat diverse - not always the same style, and each song has the scripture reference to verify exactly what the song teaches! Most of the songs are the scriptures word for word. My 6 kids delight in reading the Bible and discovering one of the scriptures they know the song to. I adore Songs for Saplings music, and have given sets of all 4 cds to everybody I know who want to teach their young children scripture.
Thanks again for this resource list - I will certainly be exploring all those recommended by you and those in the comments.
Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I had heard of Songs for Saplings; now I’m resolved to get it.
My 2 year old LOVES Hymns for a Kid’s Heart, Vol. 1 by Bobbie Wolgemuth, Joni Eareckson Tada, and Sergio Martinez. The style is orchestral and didn’t necessarily grab me because of its style. However, I feel like there’s something to be said for holding off on the more “driving” styles of music with young children. It’s fun that she, at 2, already has memorized the lyrics to classic hymns such as “Amazing Grace”, “Holy, Holy, Holy” and “This is My Father’s World.”
Check out the Fighter Verse Songs Blog for tips on applying scripture and a free song every week.
http://fighterversesongs.wordpress.com
We love all four of the Songs for Saplings CDs! These are hands down my favorite CDs for children and I love to listen to them as well! They are incredibly well done, the variety of music is excellent and there are a lot of songs!! I love how the catechism songs weave the supporting Scripture for the catechism into the song along with the question and answer. Listening to such beautiful words of truth has been such a blessing to our family. I love hearing my children sing them! I am planning on giving Songs for Saplings ABC as to other families with young children this year for Christmas. Judy Rogers and Steve Green’s Hide’Em in your heart are our other favorites :-)
Also,the Sing Word series by the Harrow family is great too! (http://www.singtheword.com/)