Scripture: Judges 4-5
Learning Objectives:
- Students will review the story of Deborah.
- Students will learn how to use familiar tunes to create new praise songs.
Guiding Questions:
How can we make our own praise songs by using familiar tunes?
Materials: paper, pencils
Procedure: Review the story of Deborah focusing on her song of praise to God for the Israelites’ victory. Discuss how many people in the Bible wrote songs to celebrate the wonderful blessings or ways God worked in their lives. Explain how songs serve as a great way to express emotions such as joy. This is why we sing praises in church. Instruct students in using familiar tunes to write new songs.
First, choose a tune and count the syllables in each line/phrase. Then try to choose phrases that have the same number of syllables so that it fits into the tune and rhythm evenly. For example: The first line in Mary Had a Little Lamb matches with the phrase “God’s blessings wash over me.” Both have seven syllables. Let students first chose a song. Then they count the syllables in each phrase/line and come up with a new phrase that has the same number of syllables. Practice counting syllables as a group. Count words like “happiness” as hap-pi-ness and clap on each syllable. Let students sing their songs for each other. Then have students chose one or more of the songs to sing regularly in class.
Additional Questions:
- What are some other examples of Bible characters who recorded their songs of praise in the Bible? (Mariam, David, Mary Mother of Jesus, etc.)
Supplemental Activity: Students can prepare a singing performance for their local church, school group, or an elderly home. Let students make copies of their songs to teach each other then have practice sessions to prepare for their presentation.
Written by: Savannah Negas