I Believe in Christ Rhythm Sticks

Are you planning to teach I Believe in Christ (archives) at all this year? It’s a deeply meaningful hymn that would be great to introduce to the Primary children! They’ll have fun learning this song with this engaging I Believe in Christ Rhythm Sticks activity to help.

In this activity, you’ll use your rhythm sticks in four different fun patterns as you move your way line by line through the song.

See all of our I Believe in Christ Teaching Ideas!

I Believe in Christ Rhythm Sticks

Sing through I Believe in Christ with this flip chart once, before introducing this rhythm sticks pattern.

Sing the first line of the song together while you demonstrate the first action. Then start at the beginning and have the children follow along with the pattern with you to steady tap the rhythm sticks together on the beat (4 taps per measure for 8 total taps).

Now sign and demonstrate the second action, you’ll hold one rhythm stick in each hand and move them like pedals on a bicycle with one spinning around the other. Continue this sequence through the second line of the song. Start from the beginning of that line of the song and try the pattern together.

Sing and introduce the third pattern. For this one, you’ll follow the notes as they rise. Remember, this pattern will only be for the third line of the song, so it doesn’t go as far as the top note. Start with the stick low near your hips and slowly raise it holding the rhythm stick parallel to the ground as you sing higher and higher notes. Start at the beginning of the song and try the pattern through these three actions.

Now, sing the 4th line of the song and demo the 4th action. For this one, you’ll pat the sticks on your legs alternating from the right hand and right leg to the left hand to leg.

Start from the beginning of the song and use all 4 actions, repeating the actions again for the last 4 lines as well.

Rhythm Sticks Pattern:

• Line 1 & 5: Steady Tap on the Beat – Tap 4 times per measure:
  • I / believe / in / Christ / he / is / my / King
• Lines 2 & 6: Bicycle Pedals – Hold one rhythm stick in each hand and rotate them around each other like pedaling a bicycle.
  • As Mary’s Son he came to reign
• Lines 3 & 7: Raise Up with Notes – Hold one rhythm stick starting at about hip height and raise the stick up with each new word you sing, or try following the pitch!
  • I’ll ^ raise ^ my ^ voice v in = praise ^ and ^ joy
• Lines 4 & 8: Alternate Tap Lap – With a rhythm stick in your right on your right leg then a rhythm stick in your left hand taps your left leg or lap.
  o In / grand / a- / mens / my / tongue / em- / ply

Extension Activities:

• For an added challenge, try following the patterns at double speed (8 beats a measure).
• Come up with your own fun rhythm stick patterns and actions for the last 4 lines of the song instead of repeating them. You can use my Rhythm Sticks Action cards to let the kids pick out their own actions and mix and match a pattern to try!
• Give one half of the room rhythm sticks and the other half of the room egg shakers. Have the egg shakers shake one hard shake per word, then swap instruments.

For another fun similar activity, head over to see this Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth Beat vs Rhythm singing time activity!

I Believe in Christ Rhythm Sticks Song Helps

There is NO free in-post printable for this activity. You can use the instructions above and won’t need a printable for this activity. If you’d like pattern cards, you can use the matching cards from my Rhythm Sticks Action Cards kit.

Join INSTANT Primary Singing for extended printables including a rhythm sticks pattern page, 1/4 sheet and full page rhythm stick actions. You’ll find these bonus files included when I Believe in Christ is the featured song of the month.

For another fun and engaging way to teach this song, continue over to this I Believe in Christ Pitch Leading activity next!

What other fun ways will you use this rhythm sticks singing time activity in your Primary room?