Questions and Issues to Discuss: 1.Should parents allow their children to attend a dance? 2.Is dancing a sin? Is it wrong for Christians to dance? 3.Were preachers wrong in the past when the condemned dancing? 4.Do moral teachings in the Bible change?

Plan for this Study: 1.Explain the title 2.Discuss changes in recent years 3.Dancing in the Bible 4.Principles to apply 5.Cautions and Warnings 6.Dancing vs. Attending 7.Summary Questions

My History I decided to preach in the 5 th grade I attended the typical youth rally Speakers, lunch, speakers, Q & A –I was always suspicious – it was rigged –Same questions – same answers –Answers that did not make sense

My History At one youth rally same format Question: “Is it a sin to smoke?” Preacher – “Yes, for 3 reasons.” Have you noticed preachers have 3 reasons for everything?

Is it a sin to smoke? Yellow teeth – smoke stains teeth, fingers

Is it a sin to smoke? Yellow teeth – smoke stains teeth, fingers Costly – money spent smoking would send a child to college

Is it a sin to smoke? Yellow teeth – smoke stains teeth, fingers Costly – money spent smoking would send a child to college Smelly – bad breath, clothes reek with odor

Is a “Big Mac” a sin? Yellow teeth – mustard stains teeth, and fingers Costly – money spent on Big Macs would send a child to college Smelly – onions give you bad breath

Is pre-marital sex wrong? Same preacher / with 3 reasons: –Pregnancy –STD –Shame and embarrassment to family Real reasons: –It is a sin –Fornication –Against God

Is it a sin to dance? “Yes, for 3 reasons.” 1.Dark – evil loves darkness

Is it a sin to dance? “Yes, for 3 reasons.” 1.Dark – evil loves darkness 2.Close – hold each other

Is it a sin to dance? “Yes, for 3 reasons.” 1.Dark – evil loves darkness 2.Close – hold each other 3.Alcohol – dancing takes place in honky-tonks and night clubs

Is it a sin to dance? TODAY: 1.Bright lights 2.3-feet apart 3.Teen clubs

Wrong is Wrong In the past – preachers often reached a right conclusion with wrong reasons Today – many do the same. –We are correct in our conclusion –We just get there with faulty logic When teens see the fault with the logic – they assume that the thing is OK.

Changes in Dancing AttitudesAttitudes Toward the Bible Toward principles that affect the matter How to apply the principles Toward sin – moral and immoral

Changes in Dancing Attitudes Arguments failedArguments failed Yellow Teeth arguments We make correct conclusions for wrong reasons

Changes in Dancing Attitudes Arguments failed Dancing has many formsDancing has many forms Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers Irish Riverdance Ice dancing Ballet Traditional Costume Janet Jackson

Changes in Dancing Attitudes Arguments failed Dancing has many forms WorldlinessWorldliness Christians often look and act like the world around us There is less separation, less difference, less distinction

Changes in Dancing Attitudes Arguments failed Dancing has many forms WorldlinessWorldliness 1 John 2: Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

Changes in Dancing Attitudes Arguments failed Dancing has many forms WorldlinessWorldliness 1 Corinthians 6:14-15 – 14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?

Changes in Dancing Attitudes Arguments failed Dancing has many forms WorldlinessWorldliness 1 Corinthians 6:17-18 – 17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean,And I will receive you.” 18 “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.”

Dancing in the Bible Approved – –Exodus 15:20 - Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. –Psalm 149:3 - Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp.

Dancing in the Bible Approved – –This “dancing” is a jump for joy –What you see when someone wins a big prize on a game show –What the winning team does after the championship game –Excitement and joy make us “dance” around

Dancing in the Bible Not Approved – –Mark 6:22 - And when Herodias’ daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” –“Dirty dancing” that involves simulated sexual activity, causes lust, or evil desires – is wrong.

Conclusion – Part 1 We must use proper reasons and valid arguments If our reasons are faulty our conclusions will be rejected – even if the conclusion is correct. REMEMBER ARCHIE BUNKER? He often gave wrong arguments.