1. To download a copy of today’s lesson go to TheGoodTeacher.com and click on “Gospel Meetings”

2. Dancing What Does the Bible Say? Presented by Chris Reeves * Mt. Moriah church of Christ Gospel Meeting * July 25, 2007

3. Dancing: Why Study It? Dancing is one of the more popular social activities in the world, from the primitive to the highly artistic “Dancing With the Stars” Whether or not a Christian can participate in such is determined by God’s word, not by culture, tradition, or opinion God’s word directs every aspect of our life, including entertainment and recreation

4. Dancing: Why Study It? Dancing is not simply body movements, but it includes thoughts and feelings; it has been called “the language of the body” Dancing stimulates a person to think or act a certain way, good or bad Dancing comes in different forms; not all dancing is wrong (skipping? leaping? lively movement? bob up and down?)

5. Dancing: Why Study It? Pressure on young people to dance comes from…  School functions (homecoming dance, Valentines Day dance, prom, etc.)  School dance teams  Dance lessons

6. Dancing in the Bible Types of Dancing Dancing as amusement (Job 21:11-12; Psa. 30:11; Eccl. 3:4; Isa. 13:21; Lam. 5:15; Mt. 11:16-17; Lk. 7:32 Dancing as rejoicing or celebration (Judg. 11:34; 21:21,23; 1 Sam. 18:6-7; 21:11; 29:5; Psa. 87:7; S.S. 6:13; Jer. 31:4,13; Lk. 15:25) Dancing as worship (Ex. 15:20-21; 2 Sam. 6:16-23; 1 Chron. 15:29; Psa. 149:3; 150:4)

7. Dancing in the Bible Types of Dancing Dancing as reveling (Ex. 32:6,19,25; “naked,” KJV; 1 Sam. 30:16) Dancing as enticement (Mt. 14:6-7; Mk. 6:22-23)

8. Dancing in the Bible Methods of Dancing Dancing and playing music (1 Chron. 15:29) Dancing and leaping (2 Sam. 6:14-16) 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. 1169-1170)

9. The Modern Dance ( The Five I’s ) 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)

10. The Modern Dance Destroys a good example and influence (Mt. 5:13-16; Phil. 2:15; 1 Tim. 4:12) Destroys respect (1 Tim. 5:1-2) Destroys spirituality (Job 21:11-15) Promotes lustful thoughts (Mt. 5:28; 6:13; 15:19; Phil. 4:8; 2 Tim. 2:22; 1 Pet. 2:11)

11. The Modern Dance Promotes lasciviousness (Mk. 7:22; Gal. 5:19-20) Lasciviousness (Greek, aselgeia) includes “indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females” (Thayer’s Lexicon, page 79-80) Lasciviousness (Greek, aselgeia) includes “indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females” (Thayer’s Lexicon, page 79-80)

12. Shall We Dance? “It’s good exercise” (1 Tim. 4:7-8) “It’s fun” (Heb. 11:25) “It’s the popular thing to do” (Mt. 7:13-14) “It helps me develop skill, coordination and poise” (1 Sam. 16:7; Prov. 31:30; 1 Pet. 3:3-4)

13. Shall We Dance? “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) “They will think I’m strange if I don’t dance” (1 Pet. 4:4-5; 1 Jn. 2;15-17) “I can dance without having evil thoughts” (Mt. 18:7)

14. Shall We Dance? “It’s my body” (1 Cor. 6:19) “The dance will be supervised” (1 Cor. 2:11) “I enjoy the rhythm of the music” (1 Cor. 6:13) “Churches have dances” (Lk. 6:46)

15. Shall We Dance? “The Bible doesn’t say ‘Thou shalt not dance’” (Col. 3:17) “The Bible condones dancing” – No, the Bible condones only that which is good, right, and wholesome (Deut. 6:24)

16. Dancing: Is It Right To Do? Parents, do your part (Eph. 6:4) Children, do your part (2 Tim. 2:22) Preachers, elders, Bible class teachers, and Christians do your part (Ac. 20:26-27)