13july 2013

Music is a way to learn about God:Music communicates truth and information about God. Songs declare who God is. Look for songs that teach important themes and make sure that your songs convey some of the key ideas you want your children to know about God. Music is also a powerful memory tool and song lyrics have an amazing ability to help children remember truths and verses from the Bible.

Music is an important part of faith development. It helps children develop their

knowledge of God and it is also a way for them to express their relationship with God. Through

music, children can explore who God is and how God

relates to them.

1

2 Music is an expression of relationship:Music is not just about input. It is not only knowledge and learning. It is about responding to God. Music allows children to express a range of emotions in a non-threatening way - when everyone else is singing around a child, no one is paying attention to them. They can let God know how they feel about him.

This WAY2GO magazine has a lot of ideas about music and some practical ideas to help you use it well with your children. If you have more ideas, let us know on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/SUNZ.nz

MUSIC IN THE BIBLEMUSIC IN THE BIBLEIn Bible times, music was an important way for God’s people to communicate, pray and worship. Music was used to express a range of emotions and feelings towards God. Music was used to remind the Israelites of the past and God’s faithfulness. Songs told their story.

Read Psalm 13:5-6. Then put some music on and give yourself some time with God.

D

But I trust in your unfailing love;my heart rejoices in your salvation.I will sing the LORD’s praise,for he has been good to me.

Welcome to the

WAY2GO magazine.

It’s full of ideas for people

who work with children

in their churches and local

community.

Pull it out and pass it

around.

Issue 43

14 sunz.org.nz

Each child will need a clear plastic bottle with

ridges, a chopstick, sparkly pipe cleaners, glitter and PVA glue. Take the plastic bottle and put in a few

sparkly pipe cleaners and some glitter. Put some PVA glue into the lid and fasten it tightly. Scrape the

chop stick along the bottle and work out some different

sounds.

To make your giant drum, you will need a large piece of

durable fabric like vinyl, suede, leather or fake skin from a fabric store. Cut the

fabric into a rough circle. Each child will need a wooden spoon, scissors, permanent felts and lots of coloured electrical tape. Help each child to make a beater by taking a wooden spoon and

wrapping the spoon end with electrical tape. Decorate the beater with permanent felts. All

sit around the drum holding the drum skin tight in one hand and the beater in the

other. Strike the drum together at the same time.

SONGS

Use the TRIM test to help you choose good songs:

When you have chosen your songs, write them out clearly. Write on calico thermadrape or use a data projector. Use lower case letters rather than all capitals and write in letters large enough to be seen from the back.

Think about why you are using songs. Are you:•Letting off steam?•Having fun?• Reinforcing the day’s learning?• Providing an opportunity for the children to respond to God in worship?

Choose your songs and place them in your programme carefully according to what you want them to do. Do not choose too many songs, instead use a few well-chosen songs repeated over several weeks to help the children become familiar with them.

Teach your songs well.Do not take too long teaching a song. Keep it moving along. Introduce a song by:•Teaching your leaders ahead of time•Singing it to the children•Singing it with the children•Introducing the actions last

Music involves listening and reflection as well as singing. To try this with your children, choose some music or a song carefully. Think about using adult worship songs, but make sure you choose a song with lyrics children can understand, and without Christian jargon. Tell them that this is time for them to think about God and talk to him. Invite them to sit or lie down while they listen. If you feel like they need something to do while they listen, show some photos on a PowerPoint, or give them a piece of art paper and some charcoal to draw with.

TeachingIs it true? Does it clearly reflect biblical teaching?

RelevanceIs it relevant to the needs of the children? Are the ideas expressed within their experience?

Interest

Meaning

Are the words and music interesting to the children? Can children sing it? Is it enjoyable?

Can the children understand what it means?Are there any hard words or phrases that need explaining?

Trim Think about this Ask these questions:

Ri

T

M

Songs have an important place in our programmes. Here are some handy hints to help you use songs well.

G

Try making

these musical

instruments.

You can make them with your children – that way they have a strong sense of enjoyment as they use them. Or if you prefer, get together with your leaders, drink

coffee, eat muffins and make several different sorts. This means you can put

out different types of instruments according to the mood you want to create, or sometimes you can just put out a mixture and

have some fun. When you make them, make sure they are strong and safe for your children to use. Lots of the equipment is available from discount shops very

cheaply. There are some more ideas for easy instruments on our website www.sunz.org.nz in our WAY2GO section.

Each child will need an ice cream container lid (or you can use a paper

plate), scissors and 3 lots of ribbon each 1 metre long. Take an ice cream container lid and cut a circle out of it. (Make it as big as possible.) Then cut a smaller circle out of the centre. Loop and knot the ribbons

around the circle to make streamers. Spend some time working out some

different movements with them.

RibbonsGUIROS

GIANT DRUM

More than Singing

15july 2013

Each child will need a clear plastic bottle with

ridges, a chopstick, sparkly pipe cleaners, glitter and PVA glue. Take the plastic bottle and put in a few

sparkly pipe cleaners and some glitter. Put some PVA glue into the lid and fasten it tightly. Scrape the

chop stick along the bottle and work out some different

sounds.

To make your giant drum, you will need a large piece of

durable fabric like vinyl, suede, leather or fake skin from a fabric store. Cut the

fabric into a rough circle. Each child will need a wooden spoon, scissors, permanent felts and lots of coloured electrical tape. Help each child to make a beater by taking a wooden spoon and

wrapping the spoon end with electrical tape. Decorate the beater with permanent felts. All

sit around the drum holding the drum skin tight in one hand and the beater in the

other. Strike the drum together at the same time.

SONGS

Use the TRIM test to help you choose good songs:

When you have chosen your songs, write them out clearly. Write on calico thermadrape or use a data projector. Use lower case letters rather than all capitals and write in letters large enough to be seen from the back.

Think about why you are using songs. Are you:•Letting off steam?•Having fun?• Reinforcing the day’s learning?• Providing an opportunity for the children to respond to God in worship?

Choose your songs and place them in your programme carefully according to what you want them to do. Do not choose too many songs, instead use a few well-chosen songs repeated over several weeks to help the children become familiar with them.

Teach your songs well.Do not take too long teaching a song. Keep it moving along. Introduce a song by:•Teaching your leaders ahead of time•Singing it to the children•Singing it with the children•Introducing the actions last

Music involves listening and reflection as well as singing. To try this with your children, choose some music or a song carefully. Think about using adult worship songs, but make sure you choose a song with lyrics children can understand, and without Christian jargon. Tell them that this is time for them to think about God and talk to him. Invite them to sit or lie down while they listen. If you feel like they need something to do while they listen, show some photos on a PowerPoint, or give them a piece of art paper and some charcoal to draw with.

TeachingIs it true? Does it clearly reflect biblical teaching?

RelevanceIs it relevant to the needs of the children? Are the ideas expressed within their experience?

Interest

Meaning

Are the words and music interesting to the children? Can children sing it? Is it enjoyable?

Can the children understand what it means?Are there any hard words or phrases that need explaining?

Trim Think about this Ask these questions:

Ri

T

M

Songs have an important place in our programmes. Here are some handy hints to help you use songs well.

G

Try making

these musical

instruments.

You can make them with your children – that way they have a strong sense of enjoyment as they use them. Or if you prefer, get together with your leaders, drink

coffee, eat muffins and make several different sorts. This means you can put

out different types of instruments according to the mood you want to create, or sometimes you can just put out a mixture and

have some fun. When you make them, make sure they are strong and safe for your children to use. Lots of the equipment is available from discount shops very

cheaply. There are some more ideas for easy instruments on our website www.sunz.org.nz in our WAY2GO section.

Each child will need an ice cream container lid (or you can use a paper

plate), scissors and 3 lots of ribbon each 1 metre long. Take an ice cream container lid and cut a circle out of it. (Make it as big as possible.) Then cut a smaller circle out of the centre. Loop and knot the ribbons

around the circle to make streamers. Spend some time working out some

different movements with them.

RibbonsGUIROS

GIANT DRUM

More than Singing

16 sunz.org.nz

Jesus’ Life Through the LensCheck out these fantastic, high quality photos of scenes of Israel. Each photo comes with background information and great ideas to use in your programme to bring the Bible to life. We are giving one of these away free to the first person who rings and mentions WAY2GO. If you miss out, they are available as packs of 5 different photos for $22.90 from SUNZ.

What do a pile of pumice, a box of

sticks and 2 SUNZ workers have in common?

Check these resources out and discover more online at www.sunz.org.nz, or freephone us on 0508 423 836

to talk about them with us.

Scripture Union wants to work with your church to create opportunities for children and young people to discover and follow Jesus, grow as leaders, and influence the world. We’d love to hear from you.

Scripture Union in New Zealand – PO Box 760, Wellington 6140way2go@sunz.org.nz – 0508 423 836 – www.sunz.org.nz

Godsongz for KidsThis is a great CD with songs suitable to use in schools or church programmes. We like it so much that we’re giving one free to every SUPAkidz Club, but if you would like a copy for yourself, they are available from us. There is also a free clip on our website where Felicia and Rosemary talk about their CD and how to choose good music and teach it well. It would be great to help you talk about music with your team so check it out.

Well, last weekend they were all in Napier where Raewyn Rowney and Paul Dadd were invited by The Salvation Army to run a training day for children’s ministry workers in the Hawkes Bay area. It was a wonderful day

and very exciting to see so many leaders enthusiastic

about the children they work with.

SUNZ run training days for churches like this all over the country.

If you would like us to come to your church and work with you, please do get in touch with us.Email: way2go@sunz.org.nz Phone: 0508 423 836