During the lesson, the information for you to know is written in regular type, and what we suggest speaking or reading aloud to children is in bold. All resources for this lesson, including the Teacher Guide, Student Page, Family Connection Card, and other resources can be downloaded in a ZIP file by clicking on the following link:
In some lessons you will find "resource articles." These are articles written by experts from around the world to help equip you for your work with children and adolescents. Share them with parents or guardians if you consider it appropriate.
Before class, make 2 lists of 10–15 things for children to remember. For example, you can list country names, 10 locations near you, books of the Bible, long numbers, or a combination of any of these. The lists should not be the same. For one of the lists, create a simple song that will help children remember it. Try singing the list to a simple children’s song that most people know.
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
Psalm 59:16
Music helps us remember things. Songs help us remember our common histories, emotions, or experiences. In the Bible, people sang to remember who God was and what He had done. The Bible includes 185 songs. After God led His people through the Red Sea, Moses and Miriam sang a song (Exodus 15). As the Israelites wandered thirsty in the wilderness, they came to a place with a big well, and they sang a song (Numbers 21). When God led Deborah to victory over her enemies, she sang a song (Judges 5). Hannah, David, Solomon, Asaph, and Mary—they all sang songs to remember and celebrate what God had done.
Think back through your life and list the things God has done for you. (If possible, write them down.) Then sing your own song to celebrate how God has been with you. Remember and celebrate God’s goodness through music!
Let families know that this week their children are learning that music helps them remember things. Encourage families to share songs that have been passed down through the generations.
Teacher Tip: If possible, email or text the Family Connection Card to the families of your students.
Greet your children by singing their names as they enter class. Sing in a happy voice to welcome them to class.
Last week we learned that God gave us the gift of music. Music is a way to express our feelings. It helps us know that others feel the same emotions we do. Today we will talk more about music, but first I have a challenge: who thinks he can remember a list of important information if I read it 3 times? Let’s try!
Quickly read your first list of 10–15 things for children to remember. (This should be the list you do not have a song for.) Then read it 2 more times. Have the children pair up and tell their partners everything they remember from the list.
How much of the list did you remember?
Now I will read you another list. This time I will sing the list to you as a song. I will sing it 3 times.
Sing your second list to the simple tune you prepared. Do this 3 times. Then have the children turn to their partners and sing or say everything they remember from the list.
How much of this list did you remember?
Which one was easier for you to remember—the first list or the second list? Why?
Many of you remembered more from the list that I shared as a song. It is easier to remember things that are set to music because it helps things remain in our minds. Today we will learn about how we can use music to help us remember things.
What are some things you need help remembering?
Answers might include schoolwork, directions to a new place, how to do a new task, etc.
Music can help you remember important information and concepts. When you need to remember something, try using a song to help you.
God created music. He knows that music helps people remember things. We see God’s people using music throughout the Bible to help them remember truths about God and themselves. Many of these songs appear in the book of Psalms, but there are songs in other books as well. Listen as I tell you about a song that Moses wrote so that God’s people, the Israelites, would remember what God had told them.
What do you remember about Moses?
Some children may know a lot about Moses. Some may have never heard of him.
Moses was a very important leader in the history of Israel. God used him to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. He led them while they wandered in the desert for 40 years. During those 40 years, the Israelites often complained against God. They also disobeyed Him and did not believe what He told them. But God was still with them, and He still loved them.
When the 40 years were over, God prepared the Israelites to enter Canaan, their Promised Land. God gave Moses a song to teach to the Israelites.
Listen to these words from Moses’ song:
I will make known the name of the Lord. Praise God! How great he is! He is the Rock. His works are perfect. All his ways are right. He is faithful. He doesn’t do anything wrong. He is honest and fair.
Deuteronomy 32:3–4, NIrV
The Lord found Israel in a desert. He found them in an empty and windy land. He took care of them and kept them safe. He guarded them as he would guard his own eyes.
Deuteronomy 32:10, NIrV
The Lord was the only one who led Israel. No other god was with them.
Deuteronomy 32::12, NIrV
This is only part of the song that Moses taught the Israelites. The entire song was 43 verses long! That is a lot of words to remember! God asked Moses to teach this song to the Israelites.
Why do you think God asked Moses to teach these words as a song?
Because it would be easier to remember the important things if they were in a song.
Let’s listen to what Moses said after he taught the song to the Israelites:
Then he said to them, “Think carefully about all the words I have announced to you today. I want you to command your children to be careful to obey all of the words of this law. They aren’t just useless words for you. They are your very life. If you obey them, you will live in the land for a long time. It’s the land you are going across the Jordan River to take as your own.”
Deuteronomy 32:46–47, NIrV
What did Moses tell the Israelites to do with the words of the song?
The children should mention that they were to think carefully about them and teach their children to obey them.
Why were these words so important?
Because they were the life of the people. If they obeyed them, they would live for a long time in the new land.
God wanted His people to remember the truth about who He was. He also wanted them to remember His laws and commands. He wanted people to learn this song and teach it to their children, who would teach it to their children, who would teach it to their children. Long after Moses died, God’s people would still be singing this song about God and their relationship with Him.
Several psalms talk about remembering what God did for Israel and teaching it to the next generation. Let’s listen to some of the words:
If you are using the Memory Verse Poster, show it to the students.
He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.
Psalm 78:5–6
Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
Psalm 105:1–2
Music helps people remember things, and God wanted His people to remember everything He had done for them. Here are some other practical ways that music can help us remember:
Music helps your brain think clearly. It can even make new pathways in your brain to help you learn new facts!
Music helps you concentrate. Just as we saw in our activity at the beginning of class, singing something helps you remember things better.
Music can help you think creatively.
God asked Moses to write a song so the Israelites would not forget His commands and what He had done for them. We can also use music to help us remember big things and little things too.
Find a partner and decide 1 thing that you need to remember. You may need to remember something you learned in school. Or you may need to remember the steps in a new task. Or you may want to remind yourself that God loves you. Create a short song, only 4 lines long, to help you remember that thing. You can use a melody you already know—just change the words. If you get stuck, your partner can help you with the song. After a short time, you will share your song with your partner.
Give the children about 2 minutes to come up with songs. Then allow the pairs to share for another couple of minutes. Choose a few children to share their songs with the class.
Optional: If you are using the Student Pages, there is space for children to write their songs.
If you have something important to remember—use a song! Practice your song each day this week so you do not forget it.
Did you know that God sings songs too? What do you think He would sing about?
He sings over you! Remember the verse we have heard before
The Lord your God is with you. He is the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you. In his love he will no longer punish you. Instead, he will sing for joy because of you.
Zephaniah 3:17, NIrV
Everyone stand. As I speak this blessing over you from Psalm 42:8, pretend that you are hearing this as a song. Hold open your hands and sway to the music you imagine that could go with this song.
Blessing: May you know that by day the Lord sends you His love. During the night, He brings you songs. He rejoices over you!
Lead the children in singing this quarter’s song, if possible.
Life on Life ©2020 David C Cook. Reproducible for home or classroom use only. All other uses require written permission from David C Cook [email protected]. All rights reserved.
