High School Class – Woodland Hills COC Spring 2014

Should I Go To Prom? Issues Facing Christian Teens

"Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy."

Romans 13:13

Living Godly Taking time to ask how your behavior and appearance are perceived by others is an important part of being a Christian. Everything a Christian teen does influences what people think of Christians and God. You are a representative of God, and your behavior is part of demonstrating your relationship with Him. Matthew 5:16 - "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (NIV) 1 Peter 2:12 - "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." (NIV)

God expects Christian teens to live by a higher standard. Reading your Bible, praying, and doing regular devotions are helpful ways to know

God's expectations and live a life focused on God.

Questions to Ask Before Attending a Dance or Prom

A. Can you attend or participate in the dance and keep yourself pure in conversation, conduct, and thought? - I Timothy 5:22

B. Will your attendance or participation in the dance increase or decrease your influence as a Christian on others? - Matthew 5:13-16

C. Will the atmosphere, actions, language, clothing, and activities at the dance promote or reduce opportunities for lust?

High School Class – Woodland Hills COC

Spring 2014

Reasons Given for Going to Prom & Their Answers In Galatians 5:19 Paul mentions several "works of the flesh." He wrote, "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness..." There are several definitions of the word "lasciviousness" -- lewd, wanton, unchaste bodly movements, unchaste handling. Take your pick; any one of them fits modern dancing. Indeed, any one of them may very well be the point of modern dancing.

A. “Dancing is fun” 1. Yes, but many sins are fun

- Hebrews 11:25 2. Fun doesn’t determine

right or wrong B. “Dancing isn’t sexual to me” 1. Then why don’t boys

dance with boys? 2. Abstain from fleshly lusts -

I Peter 2:11 C. “Dancing doesn’t affect me in that way;

I’m able to handle it” 1. But dancing does affect

others “that way” 2. We are responsible for our

affect on others - Romans 14:15

D. “Boys will have those thoughts anyway” 1. Perhaps, but do you throw

matches at dynamite just because it will explode anyway?

2. Isn’t the idea reduce sin and not to encourage it?

E. “I won’t fit in if I stay away. Everyone else is going”

1. The way to heaven is not found by searching for the popular path - Matthew 7:13-14

2. Christians stand out from the crowd, they do not blend into the crowd.

F. “I’ll be laughed at if I don’t go” 1. Probably so - Matthew

5:11-12 2. It is not a shame to suffer

as a Christian - I Peter 4:16 G. “There will be chaperones there” 1. If dancing is sin, then it

will be chaperoned sin. 2. Chaperones can’t control

your thoughts or others. H. “I’m just going to watch” 1. If it is wrong to dance,

then why would it be proper to watch others sin?

2. Imagine telling your parents, “Sure there is a steamy sex scene in that movie, but I’m just going to watch.” - Matthew 5:28

Paul made an interesting statement in Romans 6:21: "What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death." Maybe the Prom seems big to you now, but don't take part in something that you are just going to be ashamed of having done later on.

“But now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!" –

Eph 5:8

High School Class – Woodland Hills COC

Spring 2014

by Steve Higginbotham

Allow me to start right here… “Is dancing wrong?” I must first answer “No.” Dancing is not an intrinsic evil. There is no sin in moving one’s feet to the rhythm of music. Not all dancing involves indecent dress, unchaste contact, or illicit movements. In fact, the Bible records instances when righteous men danced as an expression of their joy (1 Chronicles 15:25-29; Luke 15:11-32). However, dancing that calls for close bodily contact between unmarried males and females is wrong. Dancing that involves indecent and suggestive bodily movements is wrong. And dancing that involves impure handling of a dance partner is wrong. The kind of dancing that God’s word condemns is the kind of dancing that stirs one to have impure thoughts, and act in impure ways. That is the problem with most of the dancing that takes place today. Its appeal is sex. Now, there is nothing wrong with sexual attraction either. In fact, sexual attraction is a perfectly healthy matter that God created and put within us. However, that attraction must be kept within proper bounds. It should not be tantalized or it will very likely get out of hand. Unmarried people who have no legitimate means to fulfill their sexual desires need to be extremely careful to avoid any situation that could feed or flame such desires. In years past, there was hardly any Christian who would openly defend dancing. The preachers of times past taught that it was sinful, and the congregation concurred. So, what has happened? Are things different today? Has dancing cleaned up its act? Were the preachers of yesterday all wrong about dancing? Has God’s moral standards changed some over the years? Well, dancing certainly has not become any more moral over the years. If anything, the modern dance is more sensuous today than it ever was. Furthermore, preachers of the past were correct in preaching and warning against fleshly lusts which war against the soul (Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Peter 2:11). And of course, God’s moral law has not changed (Matthew 24:35). So then, what has changed? What has changed are the attitudes and respect (or lack of) God’s people have for His will. Some apparently seem to be more willing to justify their “pet” sins than they are willing to justify God’s high moral standard.

Something to Consider..

I fear for those who go to a dance, spend all night with their date, come home the next morning (which happens to be the Lord’s day), and find themselves too exhausted, because of their carousing, to go to worship or to truly worship in spirit the one who shed His blood for their redemption. Do we really think that such actions will simply be pardoned or excused because, after all, “It’s the Prom.” Young people, keep the commitment that you made to the Lord. Guard your heart and mind from the fleshly lusts that war against your soul” (1 Peter 2:11). And parents, help your young son or daughter in making decisions that may affect their eternal destiny. Sometimes, because of the tremendous peer pressure they are under, your children need you to say “no” for them. Help them to make Christ-focused decisions that will bring honor God.

“But It’s The Prom!”