Gospel Centered Homeschooling: music

I'm singing the gospel this morning with this song from Sovereign Grace running through my head...

I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still

But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross
And I beheld God’s love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me
Oh Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ -
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life!

(Song by Jordan Kauflin, copyright Sovereign Grace Music)
Hear it, buy it, get free lead sheet downloads here.

I have to tell you about my favorite way to help the boys with memorizing scripture. In fact, we barely know that we are memorizing anything at all, it is so fun and effortless. It is with scripture memory songs. I'm pretty picky about music. I've never purchased a whole lot of children's CD's - because I know that I will likely be listening to them too. Children's music drives me crazy. And children have a habit of asking to hear things, "Just One More Time, Mom!" So I bought a lot of music that I would like to listen to, and hoped that they would like it too. (So far, so good, but that is another post....)

When I was searching for songs to help us memorize scripture I found a couple of things...
1. Songs with music that was either too old, too young, too "hip" or too cheezy.
2. Songs with scriptures that were either too truncated, or paraphrased, so that they didn't actually contain the scriptures anymore.
3. Songs that took scripture out of context - either by not providing enough of the surrounding material to make the scripture make sense, or by adding material to the scripture that provided an "interpretation" that I may or may not have agreed with.

Then I found Seeds Family Worship.

Seeds has songs that are

Fun to sing for the whole family. I would say the style is very similar to "modern worship". Songs are led by an adult worship leader, with children as background vocals. This makes the sound not too childish and not too grown-up, just right for listening in the family car. Even my husband can listen to a whole CD on a car ride and enjoy it, probably even sing along.
Scripture and only scripture There is no added commentary or paraphrasing. (Unless you count a few "yeah's or hey's" or "doot-doots".) The text comes right from the NIV (or ESV on the newer CDs), and includes the scripture reference!
Longer sections of scripture. A great example is the song for Phillipians 4:13. Usually this verse is quoted all by itself. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". The context of this statement is so important, though. Paul is talking about learning about contentment, about relying on God to meet our needs through the strength that Christ supplies. The Seeds song quotes Phillipians 4:12-13 and is called "The Secret". Here are the lyrics:

I know what it is to be in need,
I know what it is to have plenty,
I have learned the secret of being content.
In any and every situation,
whether well fed-or hungry,
whether living in plenty or in want (living in plenty or in want).
I can do everything, through him who gives me strength (repeat)
through him... who gives... me strength!

Check out a few of my favorite songs:

Seeds has 6 CD's now:

Seeds of Courage
Seeds of Faith
Seeds of Praise
Seeds of Purpose
Power of Encouragement
Seeds of Character
and their newest addition, Purity.

The newest CD is really great for Seeds kids who are growing up, pre-teens and teens. It is a collaboration between Seeds and Family Life's Passport 2 Purity program. Two of the songs feature recording artist Matthew West.

You can purchase CD's from CBD ($10.99) or mp3's through Amazon ($8.99), but if you purchase them through the Seeds store, you will actually get 2 CD's- one for you, and one to share. Definitely makes a slightly higher price ($12.98) worth it!
Click here to visit Seeds Family Worship