This is a primary song featured in the new hymnbook #1004. Music and words were written by Stephen P Schank in 2019. He serves on the committees of the new hymnbook and new children’s songbook of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Walking with Jesus means that we are in step with Him. We don’t just charge ahead and tell Him to bless us. Instead, we humbly seek to follow Him and His example and submit ourselves to His leadership.
Visual Aids
Download a Flip Chart for I Will Walk with Jesus Here
A Few Tips for Teaching
I always start with the chorus first when I teach a new song. I feel if they have that solid start, it will always feel like a success when they get to that repeated part. Verses will come, but it takes a lot of repeating, especially for those little ones.
This song is a beautiful lesson on walking the covenant path. The chorus is a perfect place to talk about this. You could post pictures of this covenant path. Baptism, Holy Ghost, Priesthood Ordination, Marriage in the Temple and Endure to the end.
The first verse talks about Jesus and His example. The picture of the sandal will help them remember that Jesus walked with that type of shoe.
The second verse talks about how children can learn to walk with Jesus. The picture of the children’s shoe will help them remember these principles.
The third verse talks about the journey of walking with Jesus as we mature and continue through life. It’s important to stay on the covenant path throughout our whole life. The picture of the adult shoe will help them remember to be faithful all through their life.
Gospel Teaching
In the chorus, the Lord promises 4 blessings if you stay on the Covenant Path and walk with Him. You might sing through the chorus and have them listen for each of these blessings. 1) Bless you with the Spirit 2) Fill me with His love 3) Change my heart forever 4) Help me clearly see.
These are wonderful blessings that we all need in this loud and busy world. You could share personal experiences of how you have seen this in your life, or you could ask the children if they have any experiences where they have felt these blessings.
Music Method
I love to add a crescendo (getting louder) between the verses and the chorus. The children need to hold that last note of the verse during that transition. Practice having the children watch you spread your arms wide as you lead and carry them through. You might also challenge the children not to take a breath in-between the verse and chorus. This will take some breath control. Add an extra breath to the last phrase of each verse if needed or if they can, hold on until that first phrase of the chorus is done. What a challenge!