Seeing Children's Sunday School Songs Through Grown-Up Eyes

Why do we grow out of children's hymns? Let's look a little deeper into the biblical background to these beloved preschool lyrics. Think back to Children's Church and singing these Sunday School songs at the top of your lungs. I wanna go back to Jesus loves me this I know - but see it through my grown-up eyes.

Seeing Children’s Sunday School Songs Through Grown-Up Eyes

February 1

~ Today’s Scripture Art and mini Bible study of children’s Sunday School songs are designed to help you write God’s Word on your heart. ~

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Just in case you get the children’s song Jesus Loves Me stuck in your head after reading this, let me just say: you’re welcome! I mean really – think about it – what wonderful lyrics to get stuck in your head.

Why do we grow out of children’s hymns, anyway?

This all started when a likable song by David Dunn (listen) was being played to death on my favorite Christian radio station. (Maybe that’s why we grow out of songs? But I digress.)

The chorus goes like this: “I wanna go back to Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me, for the Bible tells me so. I wanna go back to this little light gonna let it shine, gonna let it shine. I wanna go back.”

So instead of changing the channel to my second-favorite radio station, I got to thinking about those lyrics. And you know what? I think he’s on to something.

Luke 18:17: Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

1 Peter 2:2-3: Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation — if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

After taking a closer look into four popular Sunday School songs, I am here to recommend that we sing these treasured songs more often – as adults! I wanna go back – but with the advantage of seeing and understanding them through grown-up eyes.

Jesus Loves Me This I Know

Let’s start with perhaps the first Christian hymn you ever learned by heart. Before we could even read the Bible, many of us sang that song at the top of our lungs and blindly believed that Jesus loved us.

As an adult, our singing probably got softer as we lived through circumstances that made us question God’s love.

So, let’s look through grown-up eyes … Did Jesus actually say that He loved us?

In John 15:9, Jesus says, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.

And just in case your mind wandered during His sermon, Jesus repeats His love for you a couple of sentences later in verse 12 …

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

If you prefer the “actions speak louder than words” method, then consider Jesus’ love for you when He hung on the cross to pay for your sins …

Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

1 John 3:16 (NIV): This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

This I know.

This Little Light Of Mine I’m Going To Let It Shine

So how about this favorite little ditty? As a child, we waved our little finger-light as high and wide as we could reach – never mind our friend standing next to us.

As an adult, we don’t want to make anyone feel uncomfortable. Or maybe it’s ourselves that we don’t want to make feel uncomfortable.

Let’s look through grown-up eyes … What is this “light” exactly and do respectable adults need to let it shine?

In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus says, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Luke 11:33-34 (Amp): “No one lights a lamp and then puts it in a cellar nor under a basket [hiding the light], but [instead it is put] on the lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light. The eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is clear [spiritually perceptive, focused on God], your whole body also is full of light [benefiting from God’s precepts]. But when it is bad [spiritually blind], your body also is full of darkness [devoid of God’s word].

Hide it under a bushel – no.

I Have Decided To Follow Jesus

This one is a Vacation Bible School classic. As a child, we learned from this song that we needed to make a conscious decision to follow Jesus.

As an adult, we are busy. We have obligations. No time for Bible study every day. Barely time for church on Sunday – and it’s the only day to sleep in for pete’s sake. Surely God understands that, right?

Let’s look through grown-up eyes … What did Jesus require?

Matthew 16:24: Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

John 10:27: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

1 Peter 2:21: For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

John 8:12: Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

No turning back.

Rejoice In The Lord Always

Now here are some lyrics that are easy to learn! Only nine words. As a child, you were probably pretty happy most of the time – as long as you got what you wanted, right? Your wants were simple, and God provided by way of your parents. Rejoicing in the Lord was not a problem at all.

As an adult, rejoicing in the Lord comes and goes. But should it?

Let’s look through grown-up eyes … When should we rejoice?

Philippians 4:4: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Peter 1:8-9 NLT: You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

Always.

Yes, we should definitely keep these songs in our playlist!