I often mention singing together as a family because it’s one of my favorite memories of when our kids were all home. We sang with them from the time they were very little, all the way through the teen years. We also played good Christian music when we were in the car, when they were playing, or even at nap time. We taught them lots of Scripture songs, kids choruses, and hymns. Today I want to share a list of 25 hymns that I think our kids should know, because they are foundational to our faith.
I was brought up in a home where hymns played a big part. We sang them at church, my mom listened to them on Christian radio, and often sang hymns throughout the day as she worked.
I learned to love hymns, and the message of them. Today they still speak to my heart. I want to pass that on to my kids!
Music does something for your spirit, and it can also bring comfort during times of hurt. Singing together is a great way to bond with your kids, and spend time together in a profitable, enjoyable way.
If you start when the kids are young, they will develop a love for music, and as they get older the music will minister to them.
I have noticed that music continues to be important to my kids, even though they are older. It is comforting and encouraging to them. I’ve seen a couple of the kids, as teens, take their Bible and a hymn book to a quiet place to worship and spend time with God. They use the hymns to worship, and prepare their heart for what God has to say to them from His word.
We sing hymns about our salvation, the power of God’s Word, what Christ suffered for us, and His greatness; we sing some hymns to bring comfort when we have heartaches. Hymns are powerful and strong.
Teaching our kids great hymns of our faith should be part of their education, as these hymns reinforce the Biblical beliefs we teach them daily.
I have chosen 25 foundational hymns that I think our kids should learn. There are many, many others that are good, but this list will get you started.
Why not start singing hymns as a family?
1. When the Roll is Called Up Yonder
2. I Know Whom I Have Believed
3. Jesus Saves
4. It is Well With My Soul
5. Victory in Jesus
6. Great is Thy Faithfulness
7. The Solid Rock
8. Amazing Grace
9. Nothing But the Blood of Jesus
10. Leaning On the Everlasting Arms
11. The Bible Stands
12. Blessed Assurance
13. The Old Rugged Cross
14. Standing On the Promises of God
15. How Great Thou Art
16. And Can it Be That I Should Gain?
17. To God Be the Glory
18. At Calvary
19. He Lives
20. Rock of Ages
21. Trust and Obey
22. Power In the Blood
23. A Mighty Fortress
24. Wonderful Grace of Jesus
25. My Savior’s Love
What are some of your favorite hymns?
Nadinr says
March 15, 2017 at 1:05 amGreat list!!! I didn’t grow up Christian so I only know what I’ve learned as an adult. I know and love about 1/2 of these
Hymns. Excited to check the other ones out. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Kathie says
March 15, 2017 at 10:36 amGlad you like the list! You are doing well to know half of them with not growing up in a Christina home. 🙂
Frank says
February 21, 2019 at 5:58 pmI didn’t grow up Christian either. I started listening to hymns shortly after I converted, and after a few years, I came to know over a hundred by heart, including most of these—plus as many short Sunday School songs. I got started because I heard that the Beatles influenced the world toward wickedness, and thought, “If music with wicked lyrics can influence us to be bad, why can’t hymns influence us to be better Christians?” I went straight for the classic hymns, because they were written in a more Christian culture and have stood the test of time. They have been so helpful.
Kathie says
February 23, 2019 at 11:57 amI love this! What a great testimony!
Rebekah says
May 3, 2017 at 4:35 pmThis is a wonderful list! I grew up singing hymns with my mother, and some of my favorite memories of my growing-up years are of singing hymns together as a family. Later, when I was volunteering at a missionary orphanage overseas and helping care for a demon-possessed girl, I witnessed firsthand the power of the hymns. The demon screamed when we sang hymns. Some of the ones he hated most you have on this list (Power in the Blood, A Mighty Fortress, Amazing Grace, and And Can It Be). There are three others I would add to this list: Jesus Loves Me, I Surrender All, and Have Thine Own Way. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and this list! You have blessed my heart today.
Kathie says
May 3, 2017 at 9:09 pmHi Rebekah! Wow, that is amazing that the hymns had such power over those demons! I know that hymns really do affect my spirit in a positive way though,so that makes sense! Those are great ones that you added to the list! (Can’t believe that I didn’t include Power in The Blood!)
Amy says
July 24, 2017 at 2:26 amI grew up Catholic, so have a slightly different pool of hymns to choose from. I like some of these and don’t recognize a few. Some of my favourites include the Servant Song, Here I am Lord, Be not Afraid, Make Me a Channel of Your Piece, The Our Father (sung), the Hail Mary (sung), Gather Us In…..OK I could go on quite a while! I have a Gather hynmnal and love Marty Haugen. I grew up in the US and now live in the UK. And as I was finding a church to attend I must admit one of thie things that I miss is the music of my youth. They just sing different things here. I have been introduced to lots of lovely songs like Jerusalem, We plough the fields and scatter, and all sorts. But in my tough times it is my childhood hymns which help me the most. I have been inspired lately to share more and more of them with the kids. Thanks for your post.
Kathie says
July 24, 2017 at 8:50 amHI Amy! Yes, there is something about those songs/hymns that we knew in our childhood! I’m glad you are sharing yours with your kids. These old songs and hymns hold great truths, and really do speak to the heart.
Gale says
March 8, 2018 at 2:08 pmWonderful list. Some of my favorite hymns here.
Kathie says
March 8, 2018 at 4:51 pmThanks Gale! Many of them are my favorites too.
Laura says
March 12, 2018 at 12:27 amI always as sang hymns to my 2 girls to calm them when they were babies, and to this day my 4 year old asks to sing Holy Holy Holy multiple times a day!😊 there are some new ones on this list I want to learn with them!
Kathie says
March 12, 2018 at 8:07 amI love the idea of singing hymns to call your babies! And to have your 4 year old asking for Holy Holy Holy is awesome!
lj says
May 16, 2018 at 7:39 pmYou left out an important one… what a friend we have in Jesus.
Kathie says
May 16, 2018 at 9:45 pmThat IS a good one!!
Heidi says
May 28, 2018 at 1:34 pmSome of mine and my children’s favorites currently:
Lord of sea and sky
What a friend we have in Jesus
For the beauty of the Earth
His eye is on the sparrow
Anna says
September 30, 2018 at 12:39 pmThank you for the list! …During Bible class this year I’ve been trying to teach my kiddos a hymn to go with each part we study …we have done 10000 angels (when studying the crucifiction) and then Up From the Grave He Arose when we studied the resurrection…now I am looking for hymn number 3 and found some helpful ideas on this list…
My altimeter favorite hymn though is “Tell me the Story of Jesus”
Christofer Coakley says
April 9, 2019 at 9:01 pmGreat list! My favorite is missing: Little Brown Church in the Vale (or Church in the Wildwood)