The Spirit is the music of the Trinity. It is the breath that gives melody to the Word of the Father. To ask the question “how spiritual are you?” implies “how often do you sing?” is your home filled with music? Are your covenant children being nurtured in a musical environment where the Spirit of God is heard?
There several ways to make these things happen. It may not be easy for some parents, but it is an important and necessary step to take. A few practical suggestions:
1. Sing during family worship. Use a hymn for an entire week. Allow your little ones to hear the same tune for a week. If you are a liturgical family, use seasonal hymns. For instance, during this Lenten Season we are using several Lenten Hymns (see examples here).
2. If you own a psalter, establish a pattern of learning one psalm a month. My friend Michael Owens has recorded all 150 psalms in the Genevan Psalter. You can find tunes and lyrics from the Genevan Psalter on-line.
3. If you are a pastor who desires to encourage your congregation to sing at home you can prepare them weekly by offering suggestions via e-mail. Send the congregation in advance the list of hymns you will be singing this Sunday and encourage them to practice.
I would love to hear more suggestions.
Providence Church provides a weekly note to our congregation, which includes a particular hymn we will be singing this coming Sunday. If you are interested I can send the link to the hymn with a brief recording. E-mail me at [email protected]