Resources

What is the benefit of memorizing Scripture and hymns? Pooyan Mershahi explains in this video that if families could learn and memorize hymns, it would be a wonderful thing. They could praise God no matter where they are. No matter where we are, we can praise God. Children can be involved. Children who cannot even read are able to sing God's praises because they have learned various hymns in the home. Ultimately, when we help our children to memorize Scripture and hymns, entire families can glorify God. Colossians 3:16 (NKJV) - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

What things should parents be aware of before letting their children watch movies or listen to music? Dr. Carlton McLeod explains in this video that extreme amounts of care need to be used when determining what kinds of media we allow into our home. There are many ungodly things within the movies, music, or books that our children take in. Parents ought to scrutinize what their children watch. In his house, he and his wife often view a movie before letting their children see it. The problem is that we as Christians want to "fit in" with their unbelieving friends and oftentimes compromise on these matters. We need to take this seriously and realize there is much at stake if we fail to determine what we allow into our home. Psalm 119:37 (NKJV) - "Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way."

Is studying Scripture to take place only on Sunday mornings? Kevin Swanson explains in this video that the Word of God is to saturate each home on a continual basis. Each day in a Christian home should be full of singing hymns and praises, reading, and studying Scripture. We are to meditate on God's Word day and night. It isn't just a 20-minute Bible time. It's something that is to occur throughout the day. There needs to be a continuous integration of God's Word in every part of our life. Our children should not grow up thinking that studying God's Word only takes place on Sunday mornings. Psalms 1:2 (NKJV) - "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night."

Here in this video, we learn of the role of music in true worship. We learn that music is a means to an end, not the end itself. Music is for the worship of God not our own emotional high. Music should arouse our hearts to the worship of God not just arouse our emotions. 

In session 2, the progression of thought will include questions such as, Do we have or even need a theology of music? Is music neutral? How are form and content related? Can a music style communicate a worldview? Should form be compatible with content or does that matter? Did God give us rock and roll?

Session 3, will take up questions such as What is the proper place of music in worship? Does the devil have all the good music? Contemporary or traditional music: who cares? Is one’s musical preference all that matters? Do our music choices indicate that we are worshiping Christ or ourselves?

Singing in the gathered church is meant to be a unifying and edifying time of the saints, proclaiming truth to one another and worshiping their God with their unified voice. Sadly, however, many churches are divided over the issue of singing with personal preferences driving division between different groups within the church. Sometimes this division reaches the point where multiple services are held based solely on the kind of music that is used in the service. While churches should discuss what songs and genres they will employ in their music, the heart of the issue must always be in focus: How can we unite around the truth of these songs and worship our God in spirit and truth?

This series of messages will address music in the worship of our Triune God. Session 1 lays the foundation for the sessions that follow and will attempt to answer questions such as, What is music? What does the Bible say about music? Does the Bible say anything about musical styles? How does music communicate to us? What are the power and influence of music? Is contemporary music or any other music style worldly?

Chorea est Circulus cujus Centrium est Diabolus. Gulielm. Parisiensis. Boston, Printed by Samuel Green, and are to be Sold by Joseph Brunning. An Arrow against Mixt DANCING. [believed to be written by Increase Mather.] > Judges 6:31. Will you plead for Baal? Let him plead for himself. Concerning the Controversy about Dancing, the Question is not, whether all Dancing be in itself sinful. It is granted, that Pyrrhical or Polemical Saltation: i.e. where men vault in their Armour, to shew their strength and activity, may be of use. Nor is the question, whether a sober and grave Dancing of Men with Men, or of Women with Women, be not allowable; we make no doubt of that, where it may be done without offence, in due season, and with moderation. The Prince of Philosophers has observed truly, that Dancing or Leaping, is a natural expression of joy: So that there is no more Sin in it, than in laughter, or any outward expression of inward Rejoycing. But our question is concerning Gynecandrical Dancing, or that which is commonly called Mixt or Promiscuous Dancing, viz. of Men and Women (be they elder or younger persons) together: Now this we affirm to be utterly unlawful, and that it cannot be tollerated in such a place as New-England, without great Sin. And that it may appear, that we are not transported by Affection without Judgment, let the following Arguments be weighed in the Ballance of the Sanctuary. That which the Scripture condemns is sinful. None but Atheists will deny this Proposition: But the Scripture condemns Promiscuous Dancing. This Assumption is proved, 1. From the Seventh Commandment. It is an Eternal Truth to be observed in expounding the Commandment, that whenever any Sin is forbidden, not only the highest acts of that sin, but all degrees thereof, and all occasions leading thereto are prohibited. Now we cannot find one Orthodox and Judicious Divine, that writeth on the Commandments, but mentions Promiscuous Dancing, as a breach of the seventh Commandment, as being an occasion and an incentive to that which is evil in the sight of God. Yea, this is so manifest as that the Assembly in the larger Catechism, do expresly take notice of Dancing, as a violation of the Commandments. It is sad, that when in times of Reformations, Children have been taught in their Catechism, that such Dancing is against the Commandment of God, that now in New-England they should p