Songs That Teach: The Teaching Dimension of Music Ministry
Music ministry is often associated solely with singing songs of praise and thanksgiving to God—and while that is indeed a vital part, it is not the whole picture. Throughout Scripture, music served not only as a means of praise, but also as a powerful tool for teaching, exhortation, remembrance, and prophecy.
Take the Psalms, for example. They are not merely poetic writings to be recited; they are songs—inspired lyrics that were sung by David, Asaph, Moses, and others. In them, we see worship and adoration (for example, Psalm 145), but also historical recounting (Psalm 78), instruction (Psalm 32:8), and prophecy (Psalm 22, Psalm 110). Today, let us look closely at songs that teach.
Listen to our Memory Verses: Symphony of Scriptures 1
Music Ministry as Teaching Tool
There are many songs that have been used intentionally to teach history, doctrine, and godly values to the next generation. These songs were not just sung for emotional or devotional purposes; they were crafted to instruct the people of God in His ways, character, commandments, and covenant. They are rich with lessons, shaping the spiritual lives of those who sang and listened to them.
In our own church group, we have experienced firsthand how powerful songs can be as teaching tools. The songs birthed in our congregation have not only blessed our members, they also carry the potential to instruct the wider Body of Christ. These are not just songs to make people feel good or emotional; they are songs laced with revelation, Scripture, and doctrinal clarity. They teach profound truths about God’s nature and our response to Him.
For example, my song “IF YOU LOVE ME”—an unrehearsed song received on 27th August 2021 and available on the Ita Udoh Channel on YouTube—contains lyrics that teach what it truly means to love the Lord. The lyrics say:
If You Love Me by Pastor Ita Udoh
Do you love Me?
Do you love Me?
If you love Me, you’ll love your brothers
If you love Me, you’ll love your sister
If you love Me, you’ll love each other
If you love Me, you’ll love My children
If you love Me, show them Heaven
If you love Me, be free of leaven today
When you love Me, you’ll keep My commandments
When you love Me, you’ll come out of your tents
When you love Me, you will do all that will please Me […]
If you love Me, keep My will
If you love Me, walk as one
If you love Me, do the things that please Me.
If we love Him, we’ll do His will
If we love Him, we’ll not walk according to our will
If we love Him, we’ll do the things that please Him […]
If you love Me, do to each other
What you want to be done to another
If you love Me, carry out My will
If you love Me, execute My plan
If you love Me, lead them to the land
If you love Me, take them by the hand
If you love Me, run together
If you love Me, keep with each other
If you love Me, learn to grow as brothers […]
The will of the Father is that we love each other
The will of the Father is that we do good to one another
It’s the will of the Father that we obey, encourage each other
It’s the will of the Lord
Today, obey
It’s the will of the Father
Today, obey
It’s the love of the Father
Today, obey
Music Ministry is for Warfare
The song is more than a melody—it’s a sermon set to music. There are many other songs on the channel, teaching truths about how to do God’s will, and wage a good warfare. Through repetition, rhyme, and rhythm, these truths are planted deeply in the hearts of the hearers, often in a way that a regular sermon might not achieve. This is the beauty and power of the music ministry that teaches.
This teaching dimension is one of the reasons the church needs singers. We previously said that a group of church singers (whether 2 or 200) are those anointed to lead God’s people into worship. But their role doesn’t stop there. If songs are meant to teach, then the music team must be equipped and anointed not just to sing, but to teach—through music. That means understanding the Word, walking in revelation, and being intentional about the lyrics they proclaim.
Let our songs teach. Let them build up the Body. Let them declare the counsel of God.
More Songs by Pastor Ita Udoh
Visit the Ita Udoh Channel on YouTube for some more teaching songs:
Playlist: Songs – Spontaneous Worship
1. He Knows Your Name
2. Freedom for Everyone
3. The Bondservants’ Song
Search Ita Udoh on other music platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Soundcloud, Boomplay, etc., to listen to our memory verses, unrehearsed songs, recorded songs, and more!
READ NEXT: MUSIC MINISTRY (PART 5)
