No matter what your family looks like or the routines that you go through, you’ll often find yourself in a situation where you want some good family music to enjoy. Maybe it’s dropping the kids (or grandkids) off at school in the morning, hosting a family party or taking a family road trip. A little music never hurts in one of these situations, but the question is what to play. You can turn on popular country station, something instrumental, or just switch the dial over to K-LOVE. Whatever your go-to family music is, there’s no denying that finding something everybody likes is optimal. So why is music for the whole family so important? Let’s go over a few reasons.
The best thing about family music is that it’s safe for everyone. Most of us like to occasionally check out what the latest music is on a pop or country station, but it never seems to take that long for something objectionable to come across the radio. Maybe it’s the song lyrics, something the DJ said, or some raunchy advertisement. Whatever it is, you find yourself quickly looking for a new source of music.
When you find good, clean music on a Christian station or something similar, it’s a relief. When you’re hosting a family get together at your house, the last thing you want to happen is to have to race across the room to unplug something or change the station. Listening to clean music that is safe for all nearby ears gives you peace of mind so that you can focus on the task at hand or kick back and relax. Whatever makes you happy.
With the exorbitant amount of electronics, WiFi hookups, and entertainment options that are available today, it’s not uncommon for families to feel a little scattered, even when they’re under the same roof. Dad watches the game in the living room while Mom reads a book on her tablet in the kitchen and the kids sit upstairs playing video games or scrolling through social media. Technology has helped us in a number of ways, but we can’t forget to spend a little time with each other.
Family friendly music allows for the whole family to come together and enjoy something. Instead of blowing a couple hundred bucks so your daughter can see the big pop sensation visiting your town, what if your whole family could go to the Christian concert down the street for a fraction of the cost?
There are going to be opportunities where the whole family will be gathered together and some good family music would be beneficial. Maybe it’s getting ready in the morning or just riding around town in the car. Playing some family music might open the door for some shared interests to form. There is a lot of information out there that holds to the belief that shared hobbies and interests lead to stronger relationships.
Working on cars, cooking, listening to the same music, and going to special events are just a few of the ways that parents or spouses can grow closer together. When you work on creating authentic relationships of any kind, it brings about a more open understanding.
When you’re trying to build common interests in your family, music is a wonderful opportunity. We all love music. There are, no doubt, a multitude of different tastes and preferences that are unique to each person like the tips of their fingers. It is obvious that your children, parents, or siblings or simply not going to like everything that you enjoy. But what if you can find a handful of Christian artists that everyone can agree on? Now you’re getting somewhere.
Is Christian music the only genre that could be deemed “family music?” Of course not. There’s classical music, jazz, and a few other genres where you can find music that is safe for the whole family. Christian music has a bit of an edge, though, when it comes to being clean enough for everyone to enjoy.
Christian music is about (1) giving God the glory and (2) creating inspiration and encouragement. When you listen to songs like “Chain Breaker” from Zach Williams or “I Have This Hope” by Tenth Avenue North, it fills you with encouragement.
As part of pop culture, the music that we listen to has some level of effect on our beliefs, attitudes, and temperament. We’ve all heard a certain song come on the radio that totally changed our day. What better environment to create in your home than one of encouragement and faith? Christian music has come a long way in the last decade or so. No matter what kind of music your family enjoys, there’s likely a Christian artist (or several) that fits the mold. Praise music? Got lots of it. Rock ‘n’ roll? Try Skillet, Red, or Thousand Foot Krutch. You want Christian rap? Tedashii, Lecrae, and NF have you covered. Britt Nicole, Lauren Daigle, Danny Gokey, and Hollyn are just some of the artists that can deliver a pop sound. Long story short, Christian music is constantly growing into new genres and delivering music that didn’t exist only a short while ago. The best part is that it’s all wrapped around that encouraging and Christ-honoring core.
We are constantly looking for heroes, may they be entertainers, politicians, authors, pastors, or humanitarians. You may have just thought about your favorite actor or athlete. It’s not uncommon for people to be influenced by the famous people whose work they are enjoying day in and day out. Today, most of these prospective role models are also sharing their views on social media, so the influence is significantly magnified.
You, your kids, grandkids, parents, etc. are all going to have people you look up to. While you can’t control who your family members will see as role models, you can present positive role models through the music you choose to enjoy together. We won’t get into specifics, but there are so many pop culture icons out there who are espousing views you find standing firmly against your family’s beliefs. Would you rather have your young granddaughter looking up to a half-naked pop singer who sings about frivolity or a wholesome musician who gives glory to the Lord? Not that tough of a choice.
When we listen to family music that reflects our values, we can rest a little easier knowing that our family has positive role models in reach.
As we can see, there are a number of good reasons to enjoy family music. If you normally just turn the dial to whatever music is popular when your family is in the car, maybe give something more family friendly a shot. See what kind of impact you can experience when you listen to something that is wholly encouraging. At the K-LOVE Fan Awards, we take time to celebrate the Christian music that is having the most impact on listeners’ lives. Featuring the biggest names and the most popular music, it’s the ultimate fan experience. Find out how you and your family can be a part of the biggest weekend in Christian entertainment by clicking below.
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