Chances are, if you spent any time in a church or Christian home, you know a handful of traditional hymns. For centuries, these songs have been the backbone of Christian worship, sharing the truth of the Gospel. But for me, they’ve become something much more.

As I’ve grown in my own faith and started studying the Bible with my family, I’ve realized these aren’t just songs. They’re a powerful source of living truth — deep lessons about Christ and the incredible ways believers have held onto God through all sorts of circumstances over the past centuries.

I want to show you how you can use these rich songs with your family, too. In this post, I’m sharing simple ideas for discipling your children through hymns, how we use them in our own home, and a few of our favorite hymns to teach the little ones.

In this blog post:

• Benefits of teaching children Bible songs and hymns
• Our family routine: How we use hymns for discipleship
• 10 Bible songs and hymns every Christian child should know
• Bible curriculum from Treehouse Schoolhouse

Benefits of teaching children Bible songs and hymns

In Ephesians 5:19, Paul writes to address one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. When it comes to discipling children, singing hymns and Bible songs is one of the easiest ways to teach children about the Bible and God in a way that is meaningful and real. These are some reasons to consider teaching children hymns in your home or church setting.

The power of traditional Christian hymns for discipling children

Singing together is a powerful tradition that has been done by Christians and in churches for centuries. Because singing and music is a sensory experience, as you learn a melody or harmony, songs help your brain store and retain information.

As children sing together, this is also true. When children sing hymns, words and Scripture become instilled in their hearts that they will remember for their lifetime. Hymns help us comprehend the nature of God, learn the words of Bible verses, and give us sources of Biblical truths. 

Hymns as a tool for Scripture memorization and Bible truths

Whether you are singing children’s Bible songs, traditional hymns, or newer Christian music, hymns are an incredible tool for teaching. Bible songs (with repetitive lyrics and hand movements) simplify Bible stories for children to understand. Hymns may quote Scripture directly, helping with Bible verse memorization, or may expound and meditate on Biblical truths, like the character of God, salvation, or drawing near to God in difficult times. The more we learn and sing hymns, the words begin to live in hearts and take on new meaning and understanding.

Hymns provide encouragement

Have you ever started singing a song when you were feeling down or trying to get through the day? Music has the power to lift spirits and change attitudes. Hymns, likewise, provide encouragement and bring joy into our daily lives. As we sing “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” we meditate on the glory of God in the universe. “The Joy of the Lord is My Strength” reminds us that God will deliver us safely. Hymns are a simple way to dwell in Bible truths as we sing or remember the words.

Hymns help us with prayer, worship, and connection

Hymns provide an avenue for offering prayers to God. As we sing we can offer praise to God for what he has done in our lives and through the salvation we have received. We can also make requests to God through hymns.

Whether we are singing hymns together as a family, with friends, or in a church setting, singing hymns collectively brings people together and unites people. People can worship together and share in the Word of God as they sing.

Our family routine: How we use hymns for discipleship

For me, hymns are not only a form of praise but also a vital part of discipleship. Learning about and singing hymns helps my children grow in their love for God and His Word. I teach my children hymns because they are a beautiful way to embed Scripture and theology into children’s lives. By singing hymns, children learn about God’s character, His promises, and His love in a meaningful and memorable way. Hymns are a way to pass down our faith, cultivate a heart of worship, and anchor our daily routines in the truths of the Gospel. 

In our home we sing hymns and Bible songs during our family Bible time in the mornings over breakfast. We also play them in the car while we drive or just around the house. We also like to listen to worship music while we take walks. I often find myself explaining certain words or lyrics to the children. 

I also believe it’s valuable to learn the history of the hymn and the writer. What events was the writing facing that caused them to write the lyrics? What time period did they live in that affected their perspective?

One of my favorite examples of this is Fanny Crosby. Crosby wrote hymns including “Blessed Assurance,” “Jesus is Tenderly Calling You Home,” and many more. Crosby was also blind, and her blindness profoundly influenced her hymn writing in several meaningful ways. Despite her visual impairment, she had a deep spiritual sight. Her faith and trust in God’s promises provided her with a clarity of vision that many with sight might lack. Her blindness often led her to focus more on spiritual truths rather than worldly appearances. Her hymns emphasize hope, eternal life, and the comfort found in God’s love.

Crosby’s lack of physical sight heightened her reliance on faith, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit, which she expresses through her lyrics. Many of her hymns reflect a sense of trusting God’s sovereignty, waking up each day with gratitude and praise, and looking beyond temporary circumstances to the eternal promises of Heaven. Her ability to see with her heart and faith gave her a unique perspective that resonates deeply with believers, encouraging others to trust in God’s unseen but all-sufficient presence. Studying her hymns in context really opens children’s hearts to a real relationship with Jesus and what it could look like in their own lives, even through trials.

10 Bible songs and hymns every Christian child should know

Here are some of my favorite hymns to teach and sing with my family. Many of these titles are part of Rooted Family Bible Curriculum or Flourish Family Bible Curriculum.

• Jesus Loves Me – I adore the simple and clear teaching about the foundational Christian assurance of God’s love for every person.
• Amazing Grace – This powerful message of forgiveness and redemption resonates with people of all backgrounds and beautifully articulates the experience of spiritual awakening.
• What a Friend We Have in Jesus, Rooted Family Bible Curriculum – This song encourages the practice of prayer by emphasizing the comfort and constant presence of Jesus in times of trouble.
• All the Way My Savior Leads Me, Rooted Family Bible Curriculum – This song instills deep trust by affirming God’s unfailing guidance and provision throughout one’s entire life.
• Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, Rooted Family Bible Curriculum – This song deals with overcoming earthly distractions and trials by redirecting focus to Christ and His glory.
• Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God, Flourish Family Bible Curriculum – This is a contemporary prayer asking for the vital and transformative work of the Holy Spirit in the heart of the believer.
• This Little Light of Mine, Flourish Family Bible Curriculum – This song teaches children what it looks like to share one’s faith and positive influence with the world.
• Be Strong and Courageous (Joshua 1:9), Flourish Family Bible Curriculum – This song memorizes a powerful and direct scriptural command to face fear and challenges with confidence in God.
• Away in a Manger, A Connected Christmas, Volume Two – This gentle, familiar melody and imagery help to celebrate the humility and peace of Christ’s birth.
• In Christ Alone, An Expectant Easter – This song is a strong declaration of faith, summarizing Christ’s work as the only source of hope, life, and salvation.

Check out our playlists for Rooted and Flourish on Spotify.

Bible curriculum from Treehouse Schoolhouse

If you are looking for intentional, meaningful ways to study the Bible with your family, consider Bible study curriculum from Treehouse Schoolhouse. These studies include Scripture readings, hymns, prayers, narration opportunities, and so much more.

Rooted Family Bible Curriculum

Rooted Family Bible Curriculum is an 18-week family Bible curriculum. Each week centers around one declaration statement related to the themes of Identity, Devotion, and Wisdom. Rooted incorporates beauty subjects with Bible study including daily Scripture readings, discussion and prayer prompts, hymns, poetry, and art study.

Flourish Family Bible Curriculum

Flourish Family Bible Curriculum is an 18-week family Bible curriculum. Each week centers around one declaration statement related to the themes of Mission, Virtue, and Love. Flourish incorporates beauty subjects with Bible study including daily Scripture readings, discussion and prayer prompts, hymns, poetry, and art study. Enjoy the rhythms of connection and beauty found in our beloved Rooted Family Bible Curriculum with a focus on bearing fruit through our lives in the world around us.

A Connected Christmas

Learn the nativity story with A Connected Christmas. Gather your family with this study and celebrate beauty and delight through festive carols, stories, poetry, art, baking, and handcrafts. It’s about family, it’s about Him. It’s about connecting hearts to the heart of Christmas–to the truth of Jesus coming to earth to seek and save the lost.

An Expectant Easter

An Expectant Easter is a Bible-based, Charlotte Mason-inspired curriculum designed with your whole family in mind. It’s an invitation to gather your family to center your hearts on what Easter is all about. Through Bible stories, hymns, poetry, art studies, picture books, projects, baking, tea time, and nature studies, your family will spend three weeks connecting together and focusing on the newness of Spring, the sacrifice that Jesus made, and the power of His resurrection. 

What hymns will you teach your children? Share your favorites in the comments below.