April 10, 2018

Songs to Remember

April 10, 2018

DAILY READING

Psalm 135

Daniel 6:1-28

1 John 2:12-17

This weekend’s reading: John 20:24-29

FIELD NOTES
What songs do you remember from your childhood?

Most children learn nursery rhymes and songs like “London Bridge is Falling Down” or “Itsy Bitsy Little Spider” at a very early age. Even for adults who haven’t heard or sung these songs in years, they can still get stuck in your head from time to time when you hear them. While the message of these songs always remains simple—simple enough for a child to understand—the meaning of songs such as these are often quite profound. “London Bridge” was first sung in the Middle Ages to warn people of the plague!
 
In the Church, we have our own “nursery songs.” Many who grew up in Children’s Sunday school or worship learned songs like “Jesus Loves Me, This I Know” or “The B-I-B-L-E.” Like their secular counterparts, these are simple songs with profound meanings.
 
The Bible also contains simple “songs” used for deep meaning and purpose. 1 John 2:12-14 is one example. While scholars can’t be sure how this rhythmic passage of scripture was used in the early church, it’s likely that it was sung or recited in the weekly gatherings. Since it references parents and children, perhaps parents even sang it to their children to comfort them.
 
Scripture transforms us when it becomes “hidden” in our hearts; when the words of God are as familiar to us as nursery songs we sang as children. Challenge yourself this week to hide the promises of God inside your heart so that you might also be transformed by God’s loving word.

CHALLENGE FOR THE FIELD

  • Challenge yourself this week to memorize at least one passage of scripture.

FAMILY FIELD TALK

  • What scripture could you memorize together as a family?

PRAYER GUIDE
God, your word is refreshing to our souls. Let the words of scripture become a part of who we are and how we live. Amen.