This post will deal with the free lyrics writing and Bible curriculum for teens.
Music is such a powerful force in this world!
Armies have always used it to develop esprit de corps and intimidate enemies. It helps us express emotions when words are not enough. It is the train by which ideas are delivered deep into the psyche.
As children grow, they begin to explore different genres of music as a way to express themselves and manage their often tumultuous thoughts and emotions. This is a normal part of growing up, but it can lead down some dark passages if it is not handled correctly.
Especially in this age where any type of music is only a swipe away, we need to be diligent to help our young people make good decisions about what they will spend their time listening to, and this is often a delicate matter.
On the one hand, we don’t want to have a laissez-faire attitude, but we also do not want to give them reasons to rebel and become defiant by putting draconian limits in place. If we start becoming too specific, we might find we are actually super-imposing our own tastes on them and calling them “sanctified” when all they are are personal preferences.
For instance, in the ’70’s some older Christians labeled the contemporary Christian music of the younger generation as “from the devil,” or at least as having that “jungle beat.” The older generation didn’t realize they were putting God in a box and judging something based on subjective reasoning.
This set young believers, who really loved Jesus, in a hard place. If they wanted to express their love of God with a more modern sound, they risked being sanctioned and accused by those who were older. This was a real problem in the church for a few decades.
Thankfully, the unbiblical standards relaxed, and contemporary Christian music became more accepted. Have there been abuses of the Christian music market–absolutely–ones which tend to take the true heart of worship in the power of the Holy Spirit out of the music. Still, there is a freedom today that is positive and glorifying to God.
(Happily, we have discovered Indie Christian music, which tends to be a bit more deep. Here is an example from Jonathan Ogden:
Amen Worldwide is also another place to find alternative-style music, but make sure you have the parameters recommended in place while you are exploring.)
From this situation we can learn a great lesson. Instead of setting specific parameters in place concerning music (among other things), we can give a set of guidelines which can be used to evaluate music (and other forms of media) so, no matter what the form or genre, we can make sure what we are listening to/reading, etc. will be edifying (building up) and glorifying God.
Consider these scriptures:
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Colossians 3:17
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Ephesians 5:18-21
Food is for the stomach, and the stomach is for food; but God will do away with both of them. Yet the body is not for immorality, but for the Lord; and the Lord is for the body.
1 Corinthians 6:13
This is why I wrote this little curriculum.
The primary focus is on truly listening to the lyrics of songs and comparing their message to the list we find in Philippians 4:8:
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
The secondary focus is delving deeply into the form of lyrical poetry, to go from this poetry to prose, and then to be able to write some lyrical poems as well.
Within this PDF download, you will find pages that lead the learner to discover the purpose and power of music, and the connection of music to God. There is a page of commentary from Matthew Henry on Ephesians 5:18-21 that adds more insight.
There are practice exercises on developing a listening ear for the actual words for songs, and a page for taking the message of the song and pairing it with scripture.
I created the list of good things in Philippians 4:8 into a poster which can be printed and hung so it can be referred to easily.
Here is a video which explains more fully:
You can find your free download of the PDF here (if you would like to make a contribution to the work of Mom Delights, just click the donate button on the right hand column or below this post):
