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