Singing Scripture: A Conversation with Randall Goodgame

We caught up with Randall Goodgame, the founder of Slugs and Bugs and the creator of Puggles Music, to talk about his dream of discipleship through music. Randall has been described as “…the greatest thing to happen to children’s music in a generation.” His Slugs & Bugs brand was birthed in 2010 and a line of Slugs & Bugs books launched in 2019. Most recently, The Slugs & Bugs Show is a groundbreaking new series designed to help children and parents grow together in Truth, navigating daily life through the lens of faith (premieres September 27 on RightNowMedia.org).  To learn more go to slugsandbugs.com.

Awana: Randall, tell us about your ministry. What do you do, and why are you passionate about it?

Randall: I make music and books for families, parents, and kids to share together. I started out making CDs with silly songs and scripture songs for families. Now I also have a number of children’s books. My purpose for Slugs and Bugs is to help parents and kids engage in the gospel in natural, everyday ways so it’s clear that Christianity is not something separate we do on Sundays or on Wednesday nights; that walking with Jesus is what we do all the time, and parents and kids can lock arms and be in it together.

Awana: Can you tell us about your project with Awana and why you felt it was a good fit?

Randall: I was thrilled to partner with Awana, because I grew up with Awana in Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater, Florida. I remember doing Bible drills and singing the songs. I remember a good deal of what I learned through Awana. And then my youngest son, Benjamin, grew up going to Sparks and Cubbies. So I was thrilled to be part of what Awana is doing.

As for the fit, it was a no-brainer collaboration opportunity. Awana is all about scripture, about kids learning verses every week, and parents helping kids memorize. That’s a lot of what we do at Slugs and Bugs: getting kids and families into the Word and into what it means to be a day-to-day, hour-by-hour, minute-by-minute believer and disciple. So, it was an easy “yes.” It was clear that this is a great collaboration.

Awana: What’s the importance of engaging in Scripture and how does music help us do that?

Randall: Speaking from personal experience, it’s easier for me to memorize scripture passages if I put them to music. So, I know if it’s better for me, it’s gonna be better for the kids. I first started writing scripture songs when my kids were little; we were homeschooling and it was my job to help them memorize. For the first few weeks, they weren’t doing well. My oldest would remember her verses one week, but by the next week she’d have forgotten. As soon as I started putting the scriptures to music, they started to remember. The first song I wrote for them was Proverbs 3:5-6. I’m sure they can still sing it to you today.

Awana: Tell us about the power music has as a tool to bridge the gap of scriptural understanding, not only for kids but for parents as well.

Randall: You know, there is something about music that is mysterious and eternal. I mean, the angels are singing “Holy, holy, holy.” They’re not saying it forever; they’re singing it to the Lord. All over scripture, music plays a role.

As parents and Christian Educators, we want to squeeze as much meaning as possible from a moment. There’s something about music that helps us to get at the meaning waiting for us in scripture. Music can go deeper, hit us in places that reading or memorizing the words without music sometimes doesn’t. So, for parents and kids to have a song they can sing together creates sort of a cultural moment, whether in the car or in the kitchen. They can hang their hat on a melody and a scripture the family sings at a particular place, at a particular time, and build a memory. The content of the scripture is married with the context of what’s happening in their home and in their life. So, it’s what we want from our family interactions, the spiritual implications right there in the mix where doing dishes is no less a spiritual thing than saying a prayer before a meal.

Awana: Randall, tell us why we should be excited about this Puggles/Randall partnership.

Randall: Well, you should be excited because the songs are super fun. The kids will memorize these scriptures, and parents won’t be able to help but memorize as well. Almost all of the songs have the book chapter and verse in the song. So, not only will you memorize what the scripture is saying, but you’ll remember where it is in the Bible.

Awana: Let’s end with discipleship. Why does it matter and how does it influence what you do?

Randall: Discipleship is at the heart of everything I do with Slugs and Bugs. Personally, I didn’t come to a deep awareness of my life with Christ until I started taking discipleship seriously, understanding what it means to really lay down my life so that His life could live through me. So, any tools that are within my grasp, to help me grow in my knowledge of Christ, of His love for me and be reminded of who I am in Him—and if I can help others in their journey towards Christ and His Kingdom—I want to. Since I happen to be gifted with music and melodies, I’m grateful that He’s allowed me the opportunity to help shape the way children and families find God and remember His word. Because that is what we’re doing here on this planet. That’s what it’s all about.

I invite you to check out the Awana Puggles program. It’s fantastic, and you can’t start too early with your kids. They’ll remember the things they learned in Puggles for the rest of their lives.

Are you interested in learning more about Awana Puggles and or listening to a sample to the Puggles Big Truths CD? Find out more by clicking here.