Over the past few weeks, Facebook has been “the place to go” for photos and comments from teens and their attendance at local high school proms. This led to several posts rebuking teens for participating in the prom, as well as chastising parents for allowing their teens to attend these dances and commenting on the cuteness of the immodestly dressed young ladies highlighted in the photos.
I, too, am dismayed with the number of Christian teens joining in this immoral and ungodly behavior. Some of these posts are from friends who I know have been taught better. I do not intend to go into a lengthy discussion as to why high school proms are inappropriate behavior for Christians. I will simply state that dancing (the type found at proms) is a sin, and the typical dress worn by young ladies at this event is immodest. This is written for those who agree that there is a biblical standard of modesty and that dancing (in most circumstances) is a sin.
So, why are many of our teens attending, then broadcasting their attendance at the school prom? I believe that the answer is two-fold. One, we have failed to teach about the sins associated with dancing, and two, elders have failed to properly handle the prom situation.
Bible class teachers and preachers should periodically teach against the sins associated with dancing. This teaching should begin before the child is old enough to go to the dance, and continue with repeated lessons and more details as the student matures. Early every spring, this topic should be taught both in the classroom and from the pulpit. This would give each child and parents the biblical knowledge as to why Christians do not attend the local prom. I understand that some individuals are going to find excuses as to why it is acceptable to attend the prom (or do anything in which they want to participate). However, we need to ensure that we do our part – teach. Preachers and Bible class teachers are not policemen. We cannot force someone to accept biblical teaching, but we are required to teach, which includes making the appropriate application. When we teach book, chapter and verse and do not make a modern day application, we have failed as teachers.
Elders also need to fulfill their role as overseers of the local congregation for which they serve (Acts 20:27-28). This would include seeing that the whole counsel of God is proclaimed from the pulpit and in the classroom. When Christians participate in sinful activities, it is the responsibility of the elders to address the situation with the individuals. The first step is to instruct individuals why the activity is sinful and encourage them to repent. When one fails to repent, the elders need to discipline the erring Christian, as a loving father disciplines a wayward child, so as to save a soul from hell (Hebrews 13:17). Unfortunately, dancing, especially the school prom, and modesty are often overlooked by elderships. They may teach lessons (or see that these lessons are taught) on dancing, modesty and many other social sins, but when Christians participate in these sinful activities, the elders shake their heads in disappointment, but do not take the next step – that of disciplining wayward Christians. This behavior leaves the impression that the Christian truly did not sin when attending the prom or dressing immodestly. When teens are not convinced that dancing and immodesty are sinful practices, they will openly publish pictures of their activities for all the world to see.
Yes, parents, it is up to you to prohibit your children from attending the prom. They need you to help them make proper decisions when facing peer pressure. Elders, preachers and Bible class teachers also have a responsibility to ensure that our teens have the biblical knowledge to withstand the fiery darts of the devil (Ephesians 6:16), thus helping them to live in the world without being a part of the world.
