DANIEL
Conviction in a Culture of Compromise
Participant Guide
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How to use this guide for maximum effectiveness
—SCHEDULE of series: EachweekinthisstudywillcorrespondwithaSundaysermonfromGraceCommunityChurch’sDanielSeries.Theschedulelistedbelowoutlineswhenwe’dencourageyoutomakeuseofthisguideformaximumimpact.Andyes,wearepurposefullysavingDanielchapter2tiltheveryendofthisstudyastheDanielsermonserieswillextendbeyondthecontentofthiscurriculumandparticipant’sstudyguide.IfyouhavetomissaSundayanddon’tgettohearthesermon,don’tworry!Wehaveyoucovered.Youcanlistentothesermononlineviaourwebsite(www.gracetoday.org/messages)orviayouriTunespodcastbysearching“GraceCommunityChurchofFrederick.”Notepagesareavailableeachweektokeeptrackofthemainpointsandtakeaways.
๏February2-WeekOne:WhenVision&ValuesClash-Daniel1๏February9-WeekTwo:TheProblemofSuffering-Daniel3๏February16-WeekThree:BuildingSocieties-Daniel4๏February23-WeekFour:Sidelines&Recalled-Daniel5๏March1-WeekFive:Delivered-Daniel6๏March8-WeekSix:Convictions&Courage-Daniel2
—Read and reflect: EachweekreadthecorrespondingchapterinthebookofDaniel.WerecommendusingtheEnglishStandardVersion[ESV]orNewLivingTranslation[NLT]versionsoftheBible.Thenreadthedevotionallistedhereinyourparticipantguideandspendafewminutesansweringthequestionsinthereflectionsection.
—CONNect with others: DanielhadShadrach,MeshachandAbednegoinhislife.Threefriendswhosupporthim,praywithhimandwalkthroughtrialsandteststogether.Dowhateveryoucantofindandconnectwithsomeone(atleastoneperson)whoyoucandothisparticipantguidetogetherwith.Askthemtocommittomakinguseofthisstudyguidewithyouandweeklydiscussingyourinsights,prayingwithyouandholdyouaccountabletoactionstepsyoumighttakebecauseofit.
—Join a small group: Formaximumeffectiveness,wewouldhighlyrecommendjoiningasmallgroupinwhichyoucanhaveseveralpeoplefromdifferentstagesandseasonsoflifeaswellasavarietyofspiritualmaturitytolearnfromandwitheachother.InasmallgroupatGrace,there’sanintentionalleaderwho’sprimaryfocusistohelpeachpersontakenextstepsintheirspiritualjourney.Togethertheyaimtocreatearelationalenvironmentthat’ssafeforsharingandgrowingtogether.Ifyou’reinterestedinjoiningagroupjustforthis6-weekseriesorasmallgroupthatmeetsthroughoutthecourseoftheyear,registeronlineatwww.gracetoday.org/ministries/small-groupsandPastorEricandourteamwillgetstartedfindingagroupthat’srightforyou!
Parent section
Wewantedtoincludethissectioninorderforparentstothinkabouthowyoucanhelpyourchildrenprocessandformtheirownconvictions.Thissectionisinconjunctionwithweek1andDaniel1specifically;butthere’snoreasonyoucouldn’tengageyourkidsonsomelevelwithmanyofthefollowingweekstopicsandquestions.
Daniel’sparentsmusthavebeenveryintentionalpreparinghimtoliveouthisfaith.Theywouldn’thavenecessarilyknownthatDanielwouldbecartedofftoBabylonandenrolledinaneducationalprogramtobrainwashhimintobeingBabylonian.Asparentsandgrandparents,wehavearesponsibilitytoprepareourchildrenandgrandchildrentoliveouttheirfaithintheirBabylon(namelytheircultureofsocialmedia,TV,school,friends,etc.).Forthemtothrive,theywillneedafirmfoundation.Theprimaryplacewherethatfoundationisfoundisthehome.Thechurchisheretopartnerwithfamiliesaswedisciplethenextgeneration.Theirfoundationhastodowith:WhatdoestheScripturesayabout…*WhoGodis(attributes)*WhoIam(identity)*WhoIamtobe(character)*HowIamtolive(conduct)QuestionsforParentsreflect&discuss(couldbeusedwith/withoutyourchildren):*Whataresomethingsinourculturetodaythatareconcerningtoyou?*Howhaveyouworkedtoformtheconvictionsthatyoucurrentlyhave?Orwhatthingshaveinfluencedandshapedyourconvictions?*WhatevidencewouldyougiveonwhyDanielhadtheconvictionhehadandheldto?*Whatareasofyourlifedoyouneedtomakeaconvictionand/orresolution?*Howcanyouhelpsomeoneinyourlife(i.e.achildorafriend)formhealthy&Biblicalconvictions?
By Pastor R
WEEK ONEWhen Vision and values clash
Read Daniel One
BiG Idea - Conviction to live out our faith under trial
Devotional Thoughts From Pastor Eric
It’snowatleastafewweeksintoanewyear.Anewdecadeeven!I’msureyoumadeatleastonenewyear’sresolution.Right?Whatwasit?Canyourememberaresolutionyoumadelastyearorinpreviousyears?Forsomeofus,ourresolutionsarestillfreshinourminds.It’ssomethingwe’vebeendedicatedtosincethebeginningandwe’veremainedcommitted,faithfulanddiligent.Forothers,itmighttakeusawhiletorememberbecausewe’vealreadyabandonedthoseresolutions.We’vegivenup,gottendistractedorjustfeltdefeated.I’musingthepronoun“we”herebecauseIcanrelatetobothcamps.I’vemaderesolutionsandhavestuckwiththemnomatterwhat…I’vealsomadesomethatIdeserteddayslaterforavarietyofreasons.Whichcamphaveyouspentmostofyourtimein?Havethepasttendaysortenweeksbeendifferent(better?worse?)thenthepasttenmonthsortenyears?I’dencourageyoutopauserighthereandreflectforafewmomentsaboutthedifferencebetweentheresolutionsyou’vekeptversustheonesyou’veleft.What’sbeenthedeterminingfactorintheonesyou’veseenthroughtotheend?InDanielchapterone,weseethatGodhandsHispeopleovertotheirenemiesbecausetheyhavenotbeenfaithfultoHimandhaveworshippedidols(seeLeviticus26:14-39).Theyhavedesertedtheirresolutionsandconvictionsandarenowsufferingtheconsequencesforit.Inthischapter,weareintroducedtoastandout,brainsANDbrawnteenager,whodwellsinthecampofbolddeterminationandsuccessfulresolution.Inverse8,Danielis“resolved”or“determined”or“hasmadeuphismind.”Nomatterwhatversionyouread,Danielisonedeterminedyoungman!Hevowsnottodefilehimselfandgivespublicdeclarationtohisresolutions.Andhedoesn’tdoitalone.NoticethatinacultureofcompromiseDaniel’sresolutionsarerootedinhisconvictionsandasyouwillsee,hecommitstothemnomatterwhat.Asyoustudy,read,reflect,wrestleanddiscussthischapteroverthenextweek,it’smysincerehopeandprayerthatyouwillseetheconnectionsbetweenDanielandyourself.Paycarefulattentiontothedetailsoftime,peopleanddecisionsinDaniel’slife.Andaboveallelse,makesurethatasyoustudythelifeofDanielandhisfriends,thatyoudon’tmissthemaincharacterinthestory.[HINT:It’snotDaniel,buttheLordGod,wholongstoleadinourlivesthroughdifficultcircumstancesjustasHedidforDaniel!]
Week one Reflection section
1.Whatresolutionshaveyoumadeandkeptinthepastvs.onesyou’vemadeandleft?
2.Whathasbeenakeydifferenceordeterminingfactorintheresolutionsyou’vekeptandsucceededin?
3.What’sthedifference(oristhere)betweenaresolutionandaconviction?Howmighttheybeconnected?
4.Howdoyouneedtomakeupyourmindorresolvenottocompromiseyourselfbasedonyourconvictions?
5.Whatdetailsneedtobeinvolvedinhavingafirmconvictionandenduringcommitment?CompareyourdetailsandactionplanwithDaniel’s.
6.HowdoyouthinkDaniel’srelationships(withGod&others)impactedhisconvictionsandresolve?
Sermon Notes
WEEK twoThe problem of suffering
Read Daniel three
BiG Idea - Test your conviction; are you willing to die for what you believe?
Devotional Thoughts From Pastor EricI’vealwaysappreciatedthepowerinperspective.Somesayyourperspectiveiseverything,whileothersbelieveperspectiveisonlyamatterofpersonalopinion.FriedrichNietzschesaid,“Thosewhowereseendancing,werethoughttobecrazy,bythosewhocouldnothearthemusic.”C.S.Lewisgivesadeeperperspectiveonthematterwhenhewrote“Forwhatyouseeandheardependsagooddealonwhereyouarestanding:italsodependsonwhatsortofpersonyouare.”BasedonthatquotefromC.S.Lewis’sbook“TheMagician’sNephew”you’dalmostthinkthatLewiswasaneyewitnesstothesceneweseeplayedouthereinDaniel3.OntheonesideyouhaveKingNebuchadnezzar.Power.Prestige.Pride.Hebuildsanidolthat’s90feettall,9feetwideandohyeah,it’smadeofgold!Andwhilewedon’tknowthisforsure,I’dbewillingtowagerthatthisstatuehe’scommandingeveryonetoworshipisadepictionofhimselfinsomeway.He’sconvincedthathe’sthemostpowerfulpersonontheplanet.Whyelsewouldhebeenragedwhenhelearnsofthreeboyswhorefusedtobowakneetohisprestige?Hemusthavethoughttohimself,“I’llmakeanexampleoutofthem!”Ontheothersideofthissituationwehavethreecaptives.Puny.Pitiful.Paltry.TheypaynoattentiontotheKingorhiscommands.Whenthemusicplaysandeveryonebows,theyremainstandingindefiancetotheKing’sdecree.Theydon’tcarewhattheconsequencesarebecausetheonlypersontheybowtheirkneetoistheLordofLordandKingofKings.Whencaught,andbroughtbeforetheKing,theonlythingstheyareconvincedofisthattheirGodisabletosavethemandthattheywillnevercommitidolatry.Andtotopitalloff,theyarepoliteandrespectfulaboutit.Iwonderiftheythoughttothemselves,“God’sgonnamakeanexampleoutofKingNebuchadnezzar!”Thepowerinperspectiveisonfulldisplay.Andthat’snotall,becauseforthosestandingnearthesethreelikelyteens,I’mguessingtheystoodtallerthanShadrach,MeshachandAbednego.Thethreelikelydidn’tstandoutinmanyways,untilnowthatis.Becausewheneveryoneelsehasbowedtotheground,thesethreenowstandtallerthantherest.Perspectiveisfunnylikethat.It’sprobablethatforthosenearestandbehindthethreeyoungmen;fromtheirperspectiveontheground,thegoldenimagedpaledincomparisontothem.It’salsoquitepossiblethatforthosecertainChaldeansthemusicoftheKingwasdrownedoutbythedeafeningdefianceofthesethreedaringadolescents.Youknowtherestofthestory.Theoddsarestackedagainstthem.ButGod…Heprovesmorepowerful,moreprestigious,andtobepraised.HedoesmakeanexampleoutofKingNebuchadnezzar.Hehasthepowertochangepeople’sperspectivesbyHispresenceandHedoesitwithHispeopleintheirgreatestpointsofneed.So,whatsortofpersonareyou?Whichsidewillyoucomeouton?What’stheperspectiveyouneedtosee?
Week Two Reflection section
1.Whodoyouidentifywithmostinthispassageandwhy?
2.What’stheperspectiveyou’vehadmostrecentlyinviewofyourtrialsandfires?
3.HowmightGodbewantingtochangeyourperspectivebyHispowerandpresencethroughthispassage?
4.HowhaveyouseenGodatworkinandthroughyoulately?HowcanyouthinkonthosethingsandthankHimforthemsoastoshiftyourperspectiveonthefiresyou’vebeengoingthrough?
5.HowwillyouallowGodtousethecircumstancesyou’refacingnowtoshapeandmoldyou?
Sermon Notes
WEEK threeBuilding societies
Read Daniel Four
BiG Idea - God humbles us because we sometimes elevate our kingdom over His
Devotional Thoughts From Pastor Eric
Youmightneedtosetasidealittlemoretimefortoday’ssection,butIwantyoutotrysomething.AndIthinkifyoudo,you’llfindittobeapowerfulexercise.GobackandreadDaniel4andseeifyoumightbeabletorelatetoKingNebuchadnezzarinanyway.Don’tbeafraidtobehonestwithyourself.Andjusttobeclear,I’mnottalkingonthelevelofgettingputoutofyourhousetoeatgrassorlivelikeawildanimalinthewilderness;butratheronanemotionalandspirituallevel.Asyouread,prayandaskGodtoshowyouanyconnectionsthatyoumighthavewiththeKing.Writedownanythingyoumightseesimilarinyourownlife,thencomebackandfinishreadingtherestofthisandanswerthereflectionsectionquestions.
ItrytolivebytheruleofnotaskingsomeonetodosomethingI’mnotwillingtodomyself.SoherearemyhonestandvulnerablethoughtsasI’vere-readthispassagetocomparemyselftoKingNebuchadnezzar.ThefirstthingthatstrikesmeisthattheKingisaddressingtheverysamepeoplewhomhecommandedtobowandworshiptheidolhesetupandthistimehehasaverydifferenttone.Lookathiswordsinverse2,“IthasseemedgoodtometoshowthesignsandwondersthattheMostHighGodhasdoneforme.”I’msurehe’sreferencingthemiraculouseventsfromthechapterbefore.ButIfinditironicthathewasfuriouswithrageattheyoungmenwhorefusedtobowandworshiphimandhisstatue;andnowispubliclypraisingGodinfrontofthosesamepeople!Whichmakesmerealize,Itoohavehadthosedaysandweeks.I’mshakingmyfistinangeroversomethingthat’sbeendonebecauseIdidn’tgetmywayandI’mdesperatetotrytocontrolthecircumstancesandthenafewdayslateramraisingmyhandsinworshiptotheOnewho’sincontrol.I’vemadeterribledecisionsintheprocess,havehadtofacetheconsequencesofmyactionsandhavebeenhumbledbytheoutcomewhenGodshowsupinanunexpectedway.I’vedefinitelyhadthesemomentsinmylife.Howaboutyou?
ThesecondthingthatIcanrelatetotheKingaboutishowinthisseasonofpraisingGodforHisgoodness,hegetscomfortableandcomplacent.Inverse4,Nebuchadnezzarsayshewasateaseinhishouseandprospering.I’mgladthispartisrecordedabouthimbecauseit’saremindertomenottogettoocomfortable.I’veseentoomanytimesinmylifethatwhenIgetcomplacentandcomfortableit’ssoshortlived.It’ssomethingourhumannaturestrivesforandyetwehavetorememberwe’renothomeyet.Heavenisourhome.Andwhilewe’rehere,wehavetodecidewhethertoinvestmoreinourkingdomorHiskingdom.KingNebuchadnezzarfindsoutthehardway,onanumberofoccasions,thatourearthlykingdomsdon’tlastlong.I’veseenthattobetrueinmylifeaswell.IwantnothingmorethantoseeGodusemeandmylifetomakemaximumimpactforHimandHisKingdom,ratherthanmyownkingdom.
Week Three Reflection section
1.InwhatwayscanyourelatetowhatNebuchadnezzargoesthrough?
2.OutlinethekeydetailsofwhathappenstotheKingasyouseethemplayout.
3.WhatmightGodbetryingtosaytoyouthroughthispassage?WhatwillyoudowithwhatHe’sshowingyou?
4.Howhaveyourespondedwhenothersspeakconfrontationaltowardsyou?Areyouwillingtoreceivetruthevenifit’snoteasytohear?
5.Howdoyou(orshouldyou)lovepeoplewhodisagreewithyou?
6.Whowillyouinviteintoyourlifetoaskyouthehardquestionsandspeaktruthinlovetoyou?
Sermon Notes
BiG Idea - God is sovereign and sets those in place as He sees fit. Man can forfeit his
position with his pride.
Devotional Thoughts From Pastor Eric
GrowingupinIndianatherewasalongstretchofroadthatwaswellknownforbeingaracingstrip.Itwasafour-laneroad,withastoplightatthebeginningandanotheroneacoupleofmilesdowntheroad.Forsomethetemptationwaseasytoracethecarnexttoyouattheonsetofthefirstgreenlightwiththeotherlightasthefinishline.Shortlyaftergettingmydriver’slicenseandgoingoutforadriveoneevening,Ifoundmyselfintherightlaneofthatroadatthestoplight.AsIlookedtomylefttosizeupthecaranddrivernexttome,Isaw(andheard)aguyrevvinghisengineandeggingmeon.Heclearlywantedtoraceme.Afterasmileandanodtosignaltheracewason,Ilookedjustbeyondhimtowardthelineofcarsthatdidn’tmakethegreenlightcomingtheotherdirection.Thefirstcartonotmakethelightattheintersectionwasapolicecar.Atthispoint,theracewasoff…formeatleast!Theguytomyleft,whoclearlydidn’tseethepolicecartohisleftsteppedonthegaswhenthelightturnedgreen.Icanonlyimaginethesheerjoyhemusthavehadtoabsolutelycrushmeinthisrace.Buthisjoywaslikelyshortlivedwhenhesawthoseredandbluelightsbehindhim!Icouldn’thelpbutsmileandwaveasIdrovepasthimandthepoliceofficeralittlewaydowntheroad.Thatwasonesituation,whereItoocouldseethewritingonthewall!ThissituationinDaniel5ismostlikelywherethatphrase(“thewritingonthewall”)camefrom.Andasyoureadthepassageyou’llclearlyseewhyaswell.Andifyou’reopenandhonestwithyourself,I’msureyouwon’thavetolookfartofindasituationinyourlifewhereyou’vehadanexperiencemuchlikeKingBelshazzar.Maybeyou’reinthemiddleofonenowwhereyou’vebeendisregardingsomethingyouknowGodclearlywantsyoutodo.Hopefullyyoucanhumbleyourself(andquickly!)sothatGoddoesn’thaveto;likewhatweseehereinthischapter.MaybeyouneedaDanieltypepersoninyourlifewhocanspeakthetruthtoyouandholdyouaccountable.MaybeyouneedtobeaDanieltosomeoneandspeakahardtruthinlovetosomeoneinyourlifewhoisblatantlyinsin.PrayandaskGodtorevealtheconvictionsyouneedtoformbecauseofwhat’sseeninthischapterandthenanswerthefollowingquestions.
WEEK fourSidelines and recalled
Read Daniel Five
Week four Reflection section
1.Inyouropinion,whatverse(s)fromchapter5bestcapturesorreflectsthedynamicsofwhatthischapterisallabout?
2.WhatimpressesyouthemostinthischapteraboutDaniel’sunderstandingofGod?
3.Arethereanyactionsoractivitiesthatyou’reengagedin,thatifcaughtordiscovered,wouldcauseyougreatfear?
4.WhataresomethingsthataresociallyacceptableinyourworldthatGodmightwantyoutoformaconvictionabout?
5.WhatmightGodbetryingtosaytoyou?What’syourwritingonthewall?
Sermon Notes
BiG Idea - Standing firm under pressure
Devotional Thoughts From Pastor Eric
Haveyouevernoticedtheconnectionbetweenwhatyouknow,withwhatyoufeel,andhowthosetwothingsinfluencewhatyoudo?Forexample,youknowit’stherightthingtodotosavemoneyandinvestitwisely.Butyouhadaharddayatworkandarefeelingdown.So,whatdoyoudo?Doyougoshoppingontheinternetbelievingthatbuyingthatthingyou’vewantedforawhilenowwillmakeyoufeelbetter?Doyougothroughthedrivethruonyourwayhomeandsplurgeonsomefoodindulgence?Howoftendoyoumakearashdecisionbasedmoreonyourfeelingsratherthanwhatyouknow?Formostofus,weseethisplayouteveryday.Especiallythoseofuswithkids!Yourchildknowstheyneedtogettheirhomeworkdoneorspendtheirtimestudyingforanexamthat’stomorrow,buttheyWANTtowatchTVorchatwiththeirfriendsonsocialmedia.Andwhatwefeeloftentrumpswhatweknow.I’mgratefulforpassageslikethisoneinDaniel6whereweseeapowerfulexampleofwhatweknowconnecttowhatwefeelwhichconnectstowhatwecando.Andwhenallofthosethreeareintherightalignment,ratherthanwarringagainsteachother,IbelieveweseeGoddogreatthingsinandthroughus.Ifyouwanttochangeyourbehaviorthenit’simportanttorememberthatyouhavetochangewhat’sinyourheart,whichisconnectedtowhat’sinyourhead.Iwouldratherseetrueheartchangebasedonachangeinwhatweknow,understandandbelievethantoseesimplybehaviormodificationinanyone.Theyareallconnectedandforareason.IbelievethisishowGodcreatedusandwiredus.StudyinthispassagethethingsthatDanielknowsonaheadlevel.Thenlistthepossibleemotionsandfeelingshemighthavehadandbeengoingthrough.FinallyconnectthemtowhatyouseeDanieldoandtheactionhetakes.
WEEK FiveDelivered
Read Daniel six
Week Five Reflection section
1.What’sthemostsignificantthingyoulearnedorre-learnedfromthischapter?
2.What’ssomethingGodwasimpressingonyourheartthatyouneedtopayspecialattentiontoandbeawareoforeventobeobedientto?
3.WhatdoyounoticeaboutDanielinverses10-11?ConnectwhatyouseeofDanielonaheadlevel(whatdoesheknow),toaheartlevel(whatmighthefeelaboutwhatheknows),tofinallyahandslevel(whatdoeshedowithwhatheknowsandfeels).
4.Whathead,heartandhandslevelconvictionsdoyouneedtomaketodaybecauseofwhatyoureadandbecauseofDaniel’sexample?
5.WhatdoyouseeinDaniel’sresolvetocontinueinhisspiritualdisciplinethatencouragesormotivatesyou?Why?
6.Lookatverses26-27andmakeyourowndecreetotheLord.
Sermon Notes
BiG Idea - God’s kingdom is eternal and ours isn’tDevotional Thoughts From Pastor EricThroughthisserieswe’vestudiedhowtheconvictionsyouhavematter.Theconvictionsyouhave,influencethedecisionsyoumakeandthosedecisionsmatteraswell.Thedecisionsyoumakenotonlyaffectthecourseofyourlife,butalsothelivesofthosearoundyou.Thedecisionsyoumake,influencethewayyoufeel.Andthewayyoufeelultimatelyconnectstotheconvictionsyouhave.AndIbelievethatifwelookclosely,wecanseeallofthatplayouthereinDaniel2.
TheprimarycharactersinthispassageareKingNebuchadnezzar&Daniel.Bothofthesemenhavesimilarexperiencesandyetverydifferentendresults!Let’sstartwithNebuchadnezzar:It’shissecondyearbeingonthethrone.He’salreadyhadabigvictoryinwhichBabylonovertookJerusalemandhiskingdomisthriving.He’sridinghighonhimselfandhisruleandreign.Butthenhehasthisdream,whichatfirstallwelearnaboutthedreamisthatit’ssotroublesomehecan’tsleepanymore.Thisdreamisprobablybetterqualifiedasanightmareanditseemstocausegreatfear,worryandanxietyforhim.So,hequicklygathershistrustedadvisors.Ifyou’relikeme,youcanprobablyrelatetothisconcept;whensomethingisreallytroublingyou,youhavepeopleinyourlifethatyougotoforthepurposeofprocessing.AndjustlikeNebuchadnezzar,inmomentsofselfishness,wewantthosepeopletotellusalltheanswersandgiveusthequickfixorsolutiontoourproblems.Iwonderifyoucanrelatetotheresponsethatthekinggiveswhenhedoesn’tgetwhathewants…disappointment,anger,fury,bitterness,resentmentandontopofallofthat,hemakesanotherbaddecision!Hemakesapowerplaydesperatetoholdontocontrolofhisauthority,ruleandreign;andit’sthisbaddecisionthatthenaffectsDaniel.
Daniellearnsheandhisfriendshavetodiebecausethekinghadabaddreamthatnoonecantellhimanythingaboutit.So,Danielgetssomeprettybadnewsaswell…onlyhisdoesn’tcomeintheformofadream,it’sbeingdeliveredtohimbytheonewho’ssupposedtoexecutetheplan!Andifthiscausedfear,worryandanxietyforhim,it’snotevidentinthepassage.WhatismentionedisDaniel’sdiscretion,wisdom,prudenceandtact.HeasksclarifyingquestionstogatheralltheinformationneededandBEFOREhegoestohisfriends,hegoesdirectlytothesource.HeputshisfaithinGod(notinhimselforinothers)andhesetsupanappointmentwiththekingtorevealthedreamanditsinterpretationevenbeforeGodhastoldDanielwhatitis.AndthenwhenDanieldoesgotohisfriends,it’snotforthemtotellhimthedetailsofthedream,butrathertojoinhiminprayerthatGodmightshowhim.
DanielandNebuchadnezzarbothreceivebadnewsabouttheirfuture,buthowtheyhandlereceivingthatnewsandthedecisionstheymakeasaresult,illustratesthedifferencebetweenlivingforandinvestinginGod’skingdomratherthanourown.Daniel’sconvictionisthatheisALLINforGod’skingdom.Nothisown,orhisfriendsorfamily.Danieldoesn’tlivethekindoflifewherehe’shalfdevotedtotheLordandhalfdevotedtohimselforanyoneelse.It’sclearthathisconvictionistodevotehimselffullytoGod’skingdom.WhichweseethatpointtakecenterstageinNebuchadnezzar’sdreamandinDaniel’sinterpretation;God’sKingdomiseternalandoursisn’t.
Whosekingdomareyoulivingfor?Whosekingdomareyoumostinvestedin?AndmayIremindyouthatyoucannotservetwomasters(Matthew6:24),akingdomdividedwillnotlast.Theonlyandbest-casescenarioistobeALLINforGod’sKingdom.Don’tforgethowtherestofthispassageandthebookofDanielplaysoutaswell…thekingishumbled;hiskingdomquicklycomestoanendandDanielispromotedagainandagainandisultimatelyusedtoseeGod’skingdomadvance!
WEEK SixConvictions and courage
Read Daniel Two
Week Six Reflection section
1.WhenDanielreceivedananswertohisprayer,hepausedtogiveGodthanks.WhatdoyouneedtopauseandthankGodfortoday?
2.Whosekingdomareyoulivingforandinvestingin?YourownorGod’s?
3.InwhatwaysdoyouseeyourselfstilllivingandinvestinginyourownkingdomratherthanGod’s?WhatdoyouneedtodotoadjustandcorrectthatinordertobeALLINforGod’skingdom?
4.Whatconvictionsdoyouneedtostillforminyourlife?Howwillyougoaboutdoingthatandwhatactionstepswillyoumakeindoingso?
5.What’sthemostmeaningfultakeawayyou’vehadfromthisseries?Howdoyouintendtocontinuelivingthatout?
Sermon Notes
Additional resources
FrequentlyAskedQuestionsAboutDaniel:https://www.gotquestions.org/questions-about-Daniel.html
TheBibleProject–Danielhttps://thebibleproject.com/explore/daniel/
PreceptAustinCommentary–Danielhttps://www.preceptaustin.org/bybook/27
FrequentlyAskedQuestionAboutaDanielFast:https://www.daniel-fast.com/faq/
BookofDanielOverview:https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Daniel.html
WhatisaDanielFast?https://www.gotquestions.org/Daniel-fast.html
Howtofast–whatdoestheBiblesay?https://www.gotquestions.org/how-to-fast.html
WhatisthemeaningofNebuchadnezzar’sdreaminDaniel2?https://www.gotquestions.org/Nebuchadnezzars-dream.html
WherewasDanielwhenhisfriendswereinthefieryfurnace?https://www.gotquestions.org/where-was-Daniel-furnace.html
WhoisBelshazzar?https://www.gotquestions.org/Belshazzar.html
Whatisthemeaningofthehandwritingonthewall?https://www.gotquestions.org/mene-mene-tekel-upharsin.html
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