Doctrine for a One-Year-Old...and His Mommy

Here are some songs which I've sought to teach Jman. I've chosen them because of the theological truths they proclaim. I learned these hand motions while serving in Extended session (preschool worship care at our church).

Sovereignty of God

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands: Okay, so He created more than the world...in fact, He's the Creator of the Universe. But the song is the best I can find for teaching His Sovereignty to our one-year-old. We use hand motions. We make a world out of our arms and clap our hands.

He's Got the Whole World (raise our arms above our head to make a semi-circle)
In His hands (clap our hands) (That's his first pattern...how perfect!)

 

Trust and Obey

 

Trust and Obey: This is crucial to the Christian life. Trust comes first. For it is by grace through faith that we are saved in Jesus Christ. Then, our reasonable act of worship and the way we are to love Him is to obey Him.

 

Trust: (make a "T" with our hands)

 

and

 

Obey: (Make and "O" with our hands)

 

for there's "No" other way (wave your head and arms for "no")

 

to be happy  (point to a your smiley face)

 

in Jesus (Point upward)

 

Is to

 

Trust: (make a "T" with our hands)

 

and

 

Obey: (Make and "O" with our hands)

 

 

Why do I share this?

 

1. I'm keenly aware today that I am a sinner. Nathan and Joshua can attest to the fact that I need to sing this loud and clearly! I need to remember this. And do you know what? There are times that I'm anxious. In fact feeling very anxious, and Joshua will raise his arms over his head. He doesn't know it, but he's preaching to me. He's Got the Whole world in His hands.
2. I repeat: I need to hear it...so I sing it! Just this morning I was lacking faith! So I'm proclaiming with Joshua this morning.
3. Did I mention that I learned these hand motions doing extended session at church?! Who says you're missing out on God's message because you serve in the nursery?!?! One week when I was particularly struggling with trusting the Lord, He put the hymn Trust and Obey in my mind. That morning I had extended session. Honestly, I was thinking that I really needed to hear the sermon that Sunday morning, but knew that Jesus wanted me to serve in extended session. That morning during our Bible story time, Mrs. Ginger sang "Trust and Obey" (with the hand motions) with the children. I knew God was speaking directly to me. I don't even think I've told her that yet! God often speaks to us as we serve. So I guess this post is also a "thank you" to Shelly, McCall, Ginger, and Mandy!!!