KNOWING WHAT WE SING

KNOWING WHAT WE SING
As we prepared to sing the worship song, "As The Deer," the 7 year old asked what the words meant. (I think a lot of people in churches sing songs that they don't understand).

I directed their attention to Psalm 42:1-2, then gave them the scenario of a deer being chased through the forest by a wolf (which raised a startled gasp from the 2 year old). I asked the children how they feel after running hard. They said, "tired," and "hot," and "thirsty." I asked them who the wolf would be in this scenario, and they said, "the devil." I pointed out that after we have been attacked by the devil we are also tired and thirsty, but it is our inner man that is in need of rest and refreshment. I pointed out that Jesus is our bread and He is our water.

I explained the use of the words "hart" (deer) and "heart" (soul), and focused on the life of the inner man. I reminded them that the doctor listens to our physical heart with a stethoscope (the 4 year old said that our heart goes bump bump), but our soul (heart), is our inner man. All of the children had something to say and they eagerly participated in this unscripted Bible lesson. I noticed that the 4 year old (and maybe the 2 year old) left the room and eventually came back. After a little more impromptu preaching/teaching I led the congregation in the song, hoping that all of us would appreciate its message.

ORDERLY, BUT LAID BACK
It is not unusual that during our service (which may be as long as two hours, because of congregational participation) the little children might leave the living room and go into and out of their play room (just down the hall). Sometimes, while they are playing, they sing along with the congregation, and they parrot my preaching. Their laughter and noise does not bother me, and apparently our singing and my preaching does not bother them.

After this particular service, when I went into the play room, and I found they had taken the toy stethoscope out of the toy box. I love it when the children connect the dots during church.

Psalms 42:1-2
(1) ...As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
(2) My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God...

As The Deer
by Martin J. Nystrom
1981, from Ps. 42:1

#1 As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after Thee
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship Thee

(Chorus
You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship Thee)

#2 You're my friend and You are my brother
Even though You are a king
I love You more than any other
So much more than anything
Chorus

#3 I want You more than gold or silver
Only You can satisfy
You alone are the real joy giver
And the apple of my eye
Chorus

Psst, don't tell the children in our church that our services are too long. They don't know any better. They think services are supposed to last as long as it takes. They think that is why they come. And they like to come to services. In fact, they not only will cry if they have to miss services, they play church at home. Not to be confused with some adults who play church when they come to church.