God has carved out a special plan for all our youths, in the area of kingdom worship. Jesus affirms that.
Psalm 8:2
Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
Mark 10:13-16
13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them.
14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
Matthew 21:15-16
15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.
16 “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “ ‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?”
Psalm 127:3-5
3 Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.
Kingdom Music believes that at the heart of the revival of worship in any church, lies the vibrancy of youth worship. Training them is truly one of the greatest and most important early investments we can make as a church that can yield return for many years or generations to come.
1) Self-discovery & Rediscovery
Youth training at the beginner level, allows for youths to train without the heavy expectation of results and performance. It's a great way to discover hidden talents and observe the progress, character of everyone.
For those already serving but experiencing plateau in their progress, it's a rediscovery process of how things can be done differently and more effectively. For example, the use of enhanced chords and alternative rhythm styles or practicing a song outside of the usual song key.
2) Music as a language of worship.
Many youths do not have the chance for formal music instruction. Worship music theory gives great foundational grounding to us all. It pays to learn it well. Also this special knowledge of music does provide common lingo for youths to communicate with one another. During practices, they can readily call out chord progressions or communicate the types of chords.
2) Pick up a new skill fast.
Youths should discover their giftings at the earliest possible.
They have a genuine chance to learn to play their favourite songs together. For example, songs from Hillsong United.
Also, we have seen many of them play more than one instrument. Youths just do learn much faster than the average adult.
3) Serve God skillfully
Youths do need to learn the top most important and common music templates and styles applied to most modern praise and worship music. It helps give them the framework to play together with others. Also, they need to learn band dynamics while playing together with a metronome. This is a great chance for them to establish time discipline and patience right from the start.
Youth training equips them to apply what was taught in youth service. This generally also applies to those already serving or newly inducted ones. So great to be equipped with the skill for a common purpose, to worship.
4) Serve passionately with other youths
Deliberate youth training time is a great time to learn from seniors such as experienced coaches or ‘big’ brothers and sisters in the youth team. It's a great chance to collaborate and bond with one another meaningfully.
In this environment, they can learn to listen to others before playing. In other words, they learn to focus on playing thoughtfully and carefully.
Short prayer time can be incorporated to these trainings to draw strength from God and for one another. Youths learn to pray for teammates and to spur, help one another and encourage one another to grow in music, worship and faith.
Truly, let's be used of God to direct our youths in the path they should go. Every one of them is precious in His sight.
Matthew 18:10
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones.
For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
Proverbs 22:6
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.