Choose to Serve the Lord: Simple Way to Teach in Primary
This year as we study The Old Testament in Come Follow Me, I’ve been drawn to the song “Choose to Serve the Lord” by Angie Killian. I love how it gives an overview of Old Testament stories, and it teaches how we can choose to serve the Lord in our lives. What a wonderful message for everyone to hear!
I am teaching this song in January in primary and wanted to introduce it in a simple, impactful way. I don’t have time to create big lessons and activities, and I put this together really quickly. We have a combined primary, so I also have to make sure it’s something that all ages can participate in. There is a PDF at the end that you can download with the images I use.
Below is a simple, low-prep way to introduce the song that:
- Gives an overview of the message
- Highlights the scripture heroes in the first verse
- Naturally transitions into teaching the chorus
- Encourages active listening and participation
Step 1: Give a One-Sentence Overview
Before you sing anything, help the children understand what kind of song this is.
You might say:
“This song is about choosing to serve the Lord, even when it’s not easy.”
Just one sentence!
This frames the song as something they can relate to, not just a story about the past.
Step 2: Preview the Scripture Heroes (30 Seconds Max)
The first verse of Choose to Serve the Lord mentions several scripture heroes:
- Esther
- Elisha
- David
- Deborah
You don’t need to teach their stories in detail. Instead, give a quick snapshot to help children listen with purpose.
You can hold up simple pictures or just say their names and one describing word. You can download the PDF below if you’d like – I put a picture of the person (these were generated with Chat GPT), a word describing them, and then wrote out a few sentences about them. You can share these stories if you have time!
- Esther — brave
- Elisha — faithful
- David — trusted the Lord
- Deborah — a courageous leader
After introducing these heroes, you can say something like:
“As you listen, see if you can hear how these people chose to serve the Lord.”
Sing the first verse once while the children listen. Then see if anyone can tell you something they heard.
Step 3: Connect the Verse to the Chorus
After the verse, briefly tie it back to the children.
You might say:
“The verse gives us examples from the scriptures. The chorus tells us what we can choose too.”
This helps children understand that the song isn’t just about scripture heroes — it’s about their choices.
Step 4: Teach the Chorus with One Simple Action
For the chorus, keep the activity minimal and meaningful.
Try this:
“Every time we sing the word choose, point to yourself.”
Alternatively, you can teach multiple actions. I am planning to use these ones from Primary Singing.
Sing the chorus once while they listen and watch
Sing it again and invite them to join in
Because the chorus is repetitive and fun, children usually pick it up quickly, even on the first day.
End by bearing testimony of the Savior and how when we put our faith in him, we will always be blessed in the end.
This lesson:
- Keeps the focus on the message, not memorization
- Introduces scripture heroes without overwhelming details
- Helps children feel personally connected to the song
- Leaves plenty of time for repetition in future weeks
- Builds confidence instead of pressure
It also sets you up beautifully for later weeks, when you can spotlight one scripture hero at a time or add simple review activities, without needing to reteach the whole song.
