📖

A Friend Who Prays

Keys Unlock Doors: Introduction to Key Signatures

Day 15of 180
Week 3of 36
25Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand the message of 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus' hymn

2

Practice singing melody in F major key signature

3

Connect music to biblical themes of prayer and friendship with God

📖 Scripture Connection

James 5:16

“Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, earnest prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.”

— James 5:16 (WEB)

Reinforces the hymn's message about the power of prayer and supporting one another

📦 Materials Needed

  • Recorder
  • Staff paper
  • BibleMouse Key Signature Flashcards
  • World English Bible
  • Audio track for 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus'
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (3 min)

Recap previous day's key signature lesson and introduce today's hymn exploration

💭 Review Question: What key signature has one flat?
2Teaching (8 min)

Introduction to hymn's historical context and spiritual meaning

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Joseph Scriven wrote the hymn to comfort his mother
  • The song teaches about bringing our troubles to Jesus
  • Prayer is like talking to a close friend
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • What does it mean to have Jesus as a friend?
  • How can we share our troubles with God?
3Activity: Hymn Practice in F Major (10 min)
singing

Learn and sing 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus' focusing on F major key signature

📝 Instructions:
  1. Listen to the audio track
  2. Practice melody on recorder
  3. Sing along with the recording
  4. Identify Bb in the key signature
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Focus on first verse only

Challenge: Learn harmony part for chorus

4Closing (3 min)

Reflect on hymn's message and pray together

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did we learn about prayer today?
  • How can we be a good friend to others?

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll explore melody and harmony in music

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Hymns teach deep spiritual truths through music

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Encourage emotional connection to lyrics
  • Be patient with musical learning
  • Discuss how music can express faith
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find reading music notation challenging

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Engagement with lyrics, attempts to play melody

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Draw a picture illustrating the hymn's message
  • Write a prayer inspired by the hymn's themes
  • Research Joseph Scriven's life story

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 16 →Back to Music