With some worship songs at church, we have motions that we teach to the middle schoolers. There aren't many songs that do this, but the kids really get into it, and like doing the motions. Sometimes, they decide to make up their own motions. Up until this past weekend, I've been unsure if this is a good thing or a bad thing. I mean, my first thought was that they are focused on the motions, rather than the song, and they aren't really worshipping God. Then, I thought, creating motions is keeping them engaged in the song, rather than talking to their neighbor or letting their mind wander.
But, on Sunday, something happened that made me laugh, and then made me think. I was sitting with my small group girls, who are just finishing their 6th grade year, and they started to make up motions to the song. I wasn't paying a whole lot of attention to them, but then I caught something. The chorus of the song has a line that says, "You came and sought me out," during which my girls were mock-punching each other in the jaw. What?!? How does that represent God seeking us out? My theory is that they were thinking of socking someone.
I made a point to ask them about the meaning of that line after the service, but didn't get a chance to. It got me thinking, though. Two things I realized:
1. I probably would never have realized that they didn't understand that line unless they had been creating motions. A good tip-off for me and a chance to start some conversations.
2. Which makes me realized that by creating motions, the girls are assigning meaning to the song. They are internalizing the message (correctly or not!) that the song is offering, and making it their own. That, I think, is powerful. That is what I would like them to do always.
Experience teaches only the teachable.
I have actually been thinking a lot about this lately, too! This Sunday we sang "Marvelous Light" and I was unsure of whether to lead our students in hand motions or not, which got me debating whether or not I'm distracting kids from worshipping God by leading motions and jumping around (I get a little crazy leading worship sometimes).
ReplyDeleteI think what you said about your girls internalizing the message by creating their own motions is very interesting. I had never thought about it like that before. I think it just depends on what is actually going on. If students are singing and jumping and making up their own motions, that probably means they're engaged. But if they're moshing and collapsing in a heap on the ground, that probably means they're distracted, and not just them but those around them as well.
I agree, Rachel.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think there is also a difference between kids making up their own motions, and being told what to do, whether it be by the worship leader or their peers. Just following along doesn't really require much thought.
Like worship generally does, it comes back to their heart and their intentions!
This story so made me laugh! I'm really sorry that I missed it. What a great teaching opportunity though. I know you'll talk to your girls about it and I can't wait to see how they adjust the next time we sing this song.
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