Dancing What Does the Bible Say Dancing Why
Dancing What Does the Bible Say?
Dancing: Why Study It? l Dancing is one of the more popular social activities in the world, from the primitive to the highly artistic “Dancing With the Stars” l Whether or not a Christian can participate in such is determined by God’s word, not by culture, tradition, or opinion
Dancing: Why Study It? l God’s word directs every aspect of our life (with general or specific principles), including entertainment and recreation l Dancing is not simply body movements, but it includes thoughts and feelings; it has been called “the language of the body”
Dancing: Why Study It? l Dancing stimulates a person to think or act a certain way through sight and touching l Dancing comes in different forms; not all dancing leads to problems (skipping? leaping? lively movement? bob up and down? )
Dancing: Why Study It? l Pressure on young people to dance comes from… § School functions (homecoming dance, Valentines Day dance, prom, etc. ) § School dance teams § Dance lessons
Dancing in the Bible l Dancing as amusement or fun (Job 21: 1112; Mt. 11: 16 -17; Lk. 7: 32) l Dancing as rejoicing or celebration (Judg. 11: 34; 21: 21, 23; 1 Sam. 18: 6 -7; 21: 11; 29: 5; Psa. 30: 11; 87: 7; Eccl. 3: 4; S. S. 6: 13; Jer. 31: 4, 13; Lam. 5: 15; Lk. 15: 25)
Dancing in the Bible l Dancing as worship (Ex. 15: 20 -21; 2 Sam. 6: 16 -23; 1 Chron. 15: 29; Psa. 149: 3; 150: 4) l Dancing as reveling (Ex. 32: 6, 19, 25 [“naked, ” KJV]; 1 Sam. 30: 16) l Dancing as enticement (Mt. 14: 6 -7; 6: 22 -23) Mk.
Dancing in the Bible l Danincing in Bible times was “dancing solo; or men with men and women with women; but social dancing by men and women together in our modern fashion was unknown in the Bible” (see the ISBE, pp. 11691170)
The Modern Dance l Possible activities associated with dancing… § Impure thoughts, desires, and looks § Intimate physical contact § Improper body movements § Immodest clothing (1 Tim. 2: 9 -10) § Intoxicants (alcohol and drugs)
The Modern Dance l Destroys a good example and influence (Mt. 5: 13 -16; Phil. 2: 15; 1 Tim. 4: 12) l Destroys respect (1 Tim. 5: 1 -2) l Destroys spirituality (Mk. 6: 22)
The Modern Dance l Promotes lustful thoughts (Mt. 5: 28; 6: 13; 15: 19; Phil. 4: 8; 2 Tim. 2: 22; 1 Pet. 2: 11)
The Modern Dance l Promotes lasciviousness (Mk. 7: 22; 5: 19 -20) Gal. Lasciviousness (Greek, aselgeia) includes “indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females” (Thayer’s Lexicon, page 79 -80)
Let’s Dance l “It’s good exercise” (1 Tim. 4: 7 -8) l “It’s fun” (Heb. 11: 25) l “It’s the popular thing to do” (Mt. 7: 13 -14)
Let’s Dance l “It helps me develop skill, coordination, and poise” (1 Sam. 16: 7; Prov. 31: 30; 1 Pet. 3: 3 -4) l “It’s a good place to meet people and make friends” (Rom. 12: 1 -2; 1 Cor. 15: 33; 2 Cor. 6: 17 – 7: 1; Col. 3: 1 -2; Jas. 1: 27)
Let’s Dance l “They will think I’m strange if I don’t dance” (1 Pet. 4: 4 -5; 1 Jn. 2: 15 -17) l “I can dance without having evil thoughts” (Mt. 18: 7) l “It’s my body” (1 Cor. 6: 19)
Let’s Dance l “The dance will be supervised” (Mk. 7: 21 -22) l “I enjoy the rhythm of the music” (1 Cor. 6: 13) l “Churches have dances” (Lk. 6: 46)
Let’s Dance l “The Bible doesn’t say ‘Thou shalt not dance’” (Col. 3: 17) l “The Bible condones dancing” – No, the Bible condones only a certain type of dance (in the OT)
Dancing: Is It Right To Do? l Parents, do your part (Eph. 6: 4) l Young people, do your part (2 Tim. 2: 22) l Preachers, elders, Bible class teachers, and Christians do your part (Ac. 20: 26 -27)
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