In the latest MasterClass Monthly newsletter, we said that Hymns could be used as a supplemental resource for your Bible study. You can be really creative in how you incorporate hymns. Here are some ideas to get you started. If you have ideas you’d like to add, just send a comment to this post.
Sing a hymn to open or close your Bible study that ties into the ideas emphasized from the Scripture passage that day.
Invite members to bring along their instruments to play a hymn for a time of meditation/contemplation during the study.
Use a hymn’s lyrics as a springboard for group discussion.
Corporately compose your own hymn.
Arrange an old hymn, or create a new melody using exsisting lyrics that you like.
Have everyone create a piece of art work (anything – paining, drawing, pottery, music, drama, poetry, mime, dance, etc.) which expresses a particular hymn and have everyone share their art form on the same night. This would also be a great idea for Scripture – to represent a particular passage through art and to then share the art with one another.
Check out your public library for books on the history of hymns and their composers. Share what you learn with the group to add to the depth of meaning of the hymns.
Create your own Bible study based on theology found in your favorite hymns.
If you want a great service project for your group, coordinate with a local nursing home or a children’s hospital to be able to use your artistic gifts to minister to the elderly or children. While there, you could give a short devotional based on a hymn and and ask the audience to join in with singing it.
More ideas? Send ‘em our way!
