Unit 19 Session 3 - God Gave Daniel Wisdom - Squarespace · PDF fileIntroduce the session (2...

4th-6

th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide

Unit 19, Session 3: God Gave Daniel Wisdom

© 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources

1

TEACHER BIBLE STUDY This week’s Bible story opens with a feast—a great banquet hosted in the palace by King Belshazzar. A

thousand of his nobles were in attendance. The supply of wine was plentiful. King Belshazzar and those

closest to him drank from the holy vessels that Belshazzar’s ancestor, King Nebuchadnezzar, had taken

from the house of God in Jerusalem. They drank and praised their false gods.

Several years had passed since King Nebuchadnezzar’s reign. Babylon had seen a handful of

successions, and though Daniel still served the king, he had likely lost his high-ranking position after

Nebuchadnezzar’s death.

The great feast was suddenly interrupted when a human hand appeared; its fingers wrote a message on the

wall. The king did not understand the message. Neither did the astrologers or wise men. The queen

(possibly Belshazzar’s grandmother) remembered Daniel and his ability to understand dreams and signs.

God had given Daniel wisdom to understand visions and dreams of every kind. (Daniel 1:17)

Daniel read the words on the wall: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN. As verbs, these Aramaic words

mean “numbered,” “weighed,” and “divided.” They can also be interpreted as a series of weights: “a

mina, a mina, a shekel, and half-shekels.”

Daniel interpreted the message. God had evaluated Belshazzar and found that he wasn’t good enough.

God was bringing his reign to an end. The kingdom would be divided. Belshazzar, who had witnessed

the consequences of Nebuchadnezzar’s sinful pride, did not humble himself before the Lord. That very

night, Belshazzar was killed and the Persians took over the kingdom. Darius the Mede became king.

God is opposed to the proud, but He gives grace to the humble. (See 1 Peter 5:5.) If God were to weigh

us, we too would be found deficient, lacking, not good enough. But when we put our trust in Christ, who

humbled Himself on a cross, God will raise us up with Him. (Philippians 2:8; Ephesians 2:4-6)

LESSON OVERVIEW/SCHEDULE Session Title: God Gave Daniel Wisdom

Bible Passage: Daniel 5

Big Picture Question: What does God do to the proud? God humbles the proud.

Key Passage: Daniel 6:27

Unit Christ Connection: Despite captivity, God used faithful people to continue His plan to provide

salvation through Jesus Christ.

Transition Time

Welcome time

Activity Sheet/Table Centers

4th-6




2

Session starter (10 minutes)

Lesson

Countdown

Introduce the session (2 minutes)

Timeline map (2 minutes)

Big picture question (2 minutes)

Tell the Bible Story (9 minutes)

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional)

Sing (4 minutes)

Key passage (5 minutes)

Discussion starter video (4 minutes)

Prayer (2 minutes)

Table Time

Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes)

Key passage activity (5 minutes)

Activity choice (10 minutes)

Prayer (5 minutes)

THE BIBLE STORY/OVERVIEW God Gave Daniel Wisdom

Daniel 5

Nebuchadnezzar (NEB yoo kad NEZ uhr), the king of Babylon, had died. A few other kings ruled

after him, and then Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson became king. His name was Belshazzar (bel SHAZ

uhr).

King Belshazzar had a big party—a feast! He invited a thousand people, and there was plenty of

food and drinks for everybody. King Belshazzar asked for gold and silver containers. The containers

had been taken from God’s temple in Jerusalem. The king and his guests drank from the

containers. They were misusing them. The containers from God’s temple were not supposed to be

used for drinking at parties. While they drank, the king and his guests worshiped their false gods—

gods made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.

Suddenly, the feast was interrupted. A man’s hand appeared at the wall, and its fingers began

writing a message on the wall. The king watched the hand, and he was very afraid! His face was

pale, and his legs shook. The king looked at the message on the wall, but he didn’t know what it

meant.

“Bring me the wise men!” the king ordered. “If anyone can tell me what this message means, I will

give him gifts and an important job in my kingdom.” The wise men came, but none of them knew

what the message meant. King Belshazzar and his guests were upset.

4th-6




3

The queen heard what was happening, and she came into the room. She told the king, “Don’t be

upset. There is someone in Babylon who is wise. He will know what this message says.”

The queen was talking about Daniel. Daniel came to the palace. The king said, “If you can tell me

what this writing means, I will give you gifts and an important job in my kingdom.”

Daniel didn’t want the king’s gifts, but he agreed to tell the king what the message said. First,

Daniel reminded the king about what happened to his relative, King Nebuchadnezzar. “God made

King Nebuchadnezzar great,” Daniel said. “But King Nebuchadnezzar thought too much of himself, so

God punished him.”

King Belshazzar had not learned from Nebuchadnezzar’s mistakes. King Belshazzar did not

love God; he loved himself the most and he worshiped false gods. “God is in control of your life,”

Daniel said. “This message on the wall is a message from God.”

Then Daniel read the message. The words on the wall were MENE (MEE nih), MENE, TEKEL

(TEK uhl), PARSIN (PAHR sin). Daniel told the king what the words meant. MENE meant that God

had counted the days of the kingdom. The king wasn’t going to be king anymore. The next word,

TEKEL, meant that God had given the king a report card, and he had failed. The word PARSIN

meant that Babylon would be split up and taken over by two enemies.

King Belshazzar gave Daniel gifts like he had promised, and he gave Daniel an important job in the

kingdom. That night, God’s message came true. King Belshazzar was killed, and a new king named

Darius (duh RIGH uhs) took over the kingdom.

Christ Connection: God used Daniel’s wisdom to get the king’s attention about his pride. The king

acted like he was better than God. God humbled the king. Jesus humbled Himself by dying on the cross

for our sin. God raised up Jesus and gave Him honor. When we humble ourselves and trust in Jesus,

God will raise us up too, and we will be with Him forever in heaven.

TRANSITION TIME Session Title: God Gave Daniel Wisdom






Welcome time dry erase board and marker

foreign language dictionaries (optional)

Greet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help

new kids connect to your group. Invite kids to share words they know in other languages. Write each word on

4th-6




4

a dry erase board. Discuss what the words mean and how we can learn words from other languages. You may

wish to provide kid-friendly language dictionaries to allow kids to look up basic words in another language.

Suggestions: hello, goodbye, red, blue, square, circle, road, room, ice cream

Say • Today’s Bible story involves some words and no one knew what they meant.

Activity page Table Centers (Miscellaneous Activities)

“Daniel Word Search” / “Temple Treasures” activity page, 1 per kid

pencils

Bibles

Assist kids in completing the word search on the activity page “Daniel Word Search.”

Say • All of the words in our puzzle are a part of today’s Bible story. Which one is the name of a king?

As time allows, lead kids to complete the activity page “Temple Treasures.”

Session starter (10 minutes)

Option 1: Bowl It Over cups or bowls (x20 per classroom) permanent markers bean bag (x2 per classroom) Invite kids to each write on a cup the name of one idol that people struggle with. Possible idols: pride,

fame/popularity, money, video games, friends, clothes, movie star

Guide kids to line up the cups in a staggered bowling pin design. Allow kids to take turns tossing a

beanbag to knock down as many “idols” as they can.

Invite kids to share one way they can resist one of the idols. Possible answers: pray, ask parents for

help, read the Bible, praise God

Say • In Babylon, the people worshiped many idols. A new king named Belshazzar led Babylon in

today’s Bible story. He did not worship the one true God. He did not pay attention to what

happened to King Nebuchadnezzar when he disrespected God.

Option 2: Metallic Arm Band Tubes metallic glitter or seed beads (especially gold and silver) clear vinyl tubing, 3/8-inch wide and 1/4 –inch wide hot glue sticks hot glue gun paper plate small funnel masking tape Tip: Encourage boys to use the colors of a favorite sports team.

Option: Substitute a 5- to 6-inch metallic chenille stem for the glitter.

Provide each kid with 6–8 inches of 3/8-inch-wide tubing and about 3/4-inch length of 1/4-inch-wide

tubing. Instruct kids to place a piece of tape over one end of the tubing. Help kids take turns placing the

funnel in the plastic tubing and pouring glitter into the tube. It is not necessary to fill the tube completely.

Help kids hold both ends of the tubing upright to remove the tape and insert the smaller piece of tubing.

4th-6




5

Use a small amount of hot glue to help seal the tube ends together.

Say • In our Bible story today, the king invited his guests to use silver and gold vessels the Babylonians

took from the temple in Jerusalem. Listen to discover if they used them in a way that honored or

dishonored God.

Transition to large group

LESSON Session Title: God Gave Daniel Wisdom






Countdown countdown video (insert provided DVD with lesson videos and worship)

Show the countdown video as you clean-up table centers, set up classroom chairs for lesson and set it to

end as large group time begins.

Introduce the session (2 minutes) rope, lantern, pen, clipboard or notepad for leader

[Large Group Leader enters carrying a length of rope, a lantern, a pen, and a clipboard or notepad.

Place the items down together and make two marks on your notepad.]

Leader • Rope, check! Lantern, check! Buckets, already in the truck, check! Blankets, in the truck,

check! Oh, hello, boys and girls! I’ve been helping one of the rescue teams inventory and restock their

rescue truck with supplies.

Someone share something cool that happened this week. Wow! What interesting things happened

this week! Today our Bible story is about one of the coolest things to happen that I have ever heard. I

can’t wait to get to that part, but I’ll warn you. Our Bible story does include a guy who sins. The Bible

tells us a lot of stories about people who sinned. Why do you think that is?

Well clearly, God wants us to learn something from all of these stories, so let’s review the Bible

stories and big picture questions we have had the last couple of weeks.

4th-6




6

Timeline map (2 minutes) Timeline Map – small group visual pack (Additional copies provided for Table Time Review)

Bibles

Leader • Our first week at command central of the Mount Daniel Rescue Squadron, we learned about

Daniel and his three friends. The four boys obeyed God’s laws. Our big picture question and answer

was, What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God.

Who remembers last week’s big picture question and answer? Who was with Shadrach, Meshach,

and Abednego? God was with them in the fire. God rescued Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Today we are studying another story about Daniel. When Daniel was first taken to Babylon,

Nebuchadnezzar was the king. Now Belshazzar was king.

You may want to point out each story on the timeline as you review. If you have more time, review

several past stories with kids, allowing them to provide details about each story or Bible person.

Big picture question (2 minutes) 11x17 poster provided

Bibles

Leader • Our big picture is, What does God do to the proud? Does God like pride? Why or why not?

Pride steals God’s glory. Now that doesn’t mean God doesn’t want us to feel good about

accomplishing something. It’s OK to feel good that you worked hard and finished something, if you

remember to praise God for giving you the ability to work hard and finish.

If you finish and you are proud that you finished it, and you think you are so awesome, and you are so

cool, and you are the most amazing … well, that sounds like sinful pride. It’s all about you and not

about God. We know that really everything should be all about God, not about us! Pride steals God’s

glory. We don’t love and respect God when we are filled with pride. Today our Bible story includes a

person who was proud. Let’s listen to find the answer to our question, What does God do to the proud?

Tell the Bible Story (9 minutes) “God Gave Daniel Wisdom” video

Bibles, 1 per kid

Bible Story Picture – 11x17 poster provided

Big Picture Question: “What does God do to the proud?” – 11x17 poster provided

TIP: For a shorter version of the Bible story, read only the bolded text.

Open your Bible to Daniel 5 and tell the Bible story in your own words, or show the Bible story video “God

Gave Daniel Wisdom.”

Leader • Who was the proud person in our story? Belshazzar was very proud of himself. He dishonored

God by being proud. He was so proud that he didn’t respect God at all. He brought the vessels from

the temple into his party. The vessels from the temple were made to be used to honor God in the

temple. Belshazzar didn’t have any honor for God. He showed great disrespect by drinking wine and

worshiping false gods with items that were dedicated to the one true God.

Did you catch the really cool part of the story? In the middle of the party, a hand appeared! The hand

4th-6




7

wrote on the wall. All the people at the party were very afraid. They didn’t know what was happening.

Belshazzar and his advisors couldn’t figure out what the message said. But the queen remembered that

Daniel had a special ability from God. God had given Daniel the ability to understand signs, visions,

and dreams.

Daniel explained the message to the king. The king had been measured and he came up short. He

would be judged for his sin. He would not be king much longer. What does God do to the proud?

God humbles the proud.

We are also sinners. When God measures us, we also come up short—unless we have repented and

trusted in Jesus. When we repent and trust in Jesus, God accepts the perfect sacrifice of Jesus as

payment for our sin. We are forgiven. Jesus was the opposite of Belshazzar. Jesus is our King of

kings, and He is humble. He is so humble that He died for our sins. When we are humble and trust

Jesus to save us, God forgives us and adopts us into His family for eternity.

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional)

Using Scripture and the guide provided, explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Tell kids

how they can respond, and provide counselors to speak with each kid individually. Guide counselors to

use open-ended questions to allow kids to determine the direction of the conversation.

Encourage girls and boys to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other adults any questions they

may have about becoming a Christian.

Sing (4 minutes) Worship Song: “You Are I Am” (on provided DVD)

Leader • Stand with me and let’s sing “You Are I Am.” As we sing, think about each of the words and what

the song is telling us about God.

Lead boys and girls to sing the theme song.

Leader • Would anyone like to share something our song tells us about God?

Select a few kids to answer. Affirm their willingness to respond.

Key passage (5 minutes)

Key Passage Poster: Daniel 6:27 (11x17 poster, provided)

Worship Song: “He Rescues and Delivers” (on provided DVD)

Leader • Who can tell me where our key passage is found in the Bible? Great answer! Do I have any

volunteers who can say the passage from memory?

Select three or four kids and assist them as needed. Lead the entire group to read the verse together. Sing

“He Rescues and Delivers.” You may select a couple of volunteers to lead the group in singing.

Discussion Starter Video (4 minutes) Unit 19, Session 3 discussion starter video (on provided DVD)

Leader • How do you know when you are struggling with pride? Check out today’s video as you think

about your answer.

Show the “Unit 19 Session 3” video.

4th-6




8

Leader • Does that kid look familiar to anyone? Does anyone want to admit that you might have been

just like him? It is very easy to start thinking we are all awesome, especially when we make a good

grade or score a winning goal or do really well in a recital.

What or who should receive praise when we succeed at something? God. Did the king in our Bible

story care about honoring God? Who was he focused on? When you realize you are acting like the kid

in the video, what is something you can do to stop your pride?

Allow several kids to answer. Always remind kids that we will sin, but God forgives us when we repent.

Prayer (2 minutes) Leader • Our time is almost over for today. I am so glad you came back to our command central.

Belshazzar certainly learned that God does not like sinful pride. What does God do to the proud? God

humbles the proud. In one night, King Belshazzar went from having power over the whole kingdom of

Babylon to being conquered and losing it all. God desires for His people to be humble.

Name one way Jesus was humble. Yes. All of those are true. Jesus ultimately humbled Himself

completely by dying on the cross for our sin.

After I pray, you will head to your small group and spend some more time talking about our Bible

story, big picture question, and Christ Connection.

Close in prayer.

Dismiss to small groups for Table Time The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me

Ask kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good news.” It

is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the

gospel with kids.

God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of

everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians

1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean.

We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God.

(Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates

us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23)

God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect

solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners,

could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9.

Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose

again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is

the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:18.

We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these

aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done

4th-6




9

on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus.

Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.

TABLE TIME LEADER Session Title: God Gave Daniel Wisdom






Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes) Bibles, 1 per kid

Timeline – small group visual pack

dry erase board and dry erase markers

Say • Did Belshazzar understand what Nebuchadnezzar had learned about God?

Form two groups. Provide each group with half of a dry erase board and a dry erase marker. Ask one

group to read Daniel 4:28-37 and one group to read Daniel 5:17-21. Each group should make a list or

draw a picture of what happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Allow kids to share what they learned.

Say • Did Belshazzar understand what Nebuchadnezzar had learned about God? No.

• What does God do to the proud? God humbles the proud.

• How did God humble Belshazzar?

Help kids refer to Daniel 5:24-31 as they answer.

Say • Who humbled Himself by dying on a cross? (Jesus humbled Himself by dying on the cross for our

sin. God raised up Jesus and gave Him honor. When we humble ourselves and trust in Jesus, God

will raise us up too, and we will be with Him forever in heaven.)

If you choose to review with boys and girls how to become a Christian, explain that kids are welcome to

speak with you or another leader if they have questions.

God rules. God created and is in charge of everything. (Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:11; Colossians 1:16-

17)

We sinned. Since Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23; 6:23)

God provided. God sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. (John 3:16;

Ephesians 2:8-9)

Jesus gives. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again so we can be

welcomed into God’s family. (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18)

We respond. Believe that Jesus alone saves you. Repent. Tell God that your faith is in Jesus.

(Romans 10:9-10,13)

4th-6




10

Key passage activity (5 minutes) “Around, Around” Instructions

Key Passage Poster: Daniel 6:27 (provided)

tape

verse cards

Worship Song: “He Rescues and Delivers”

Tape an X on the floor. Mix up the verse cards and distribute them to the kids. Invite kids to form a circle with

one kid standing on the X. Play the key passage song and instruct kids to walk in a circle. Stop the music

randomly. The kid standing on the X when the music stops must announce which word of the key passage she

has on her paper. The remaining kids must organize themselves in correct order surrounding her. Allow kids

to trade papers and switch places before playing again.

Suggests kids say the key passage from memory. You may wish to begin the game with the key

passage poster in clear view for the kids to reference. After playing one or two rounds of the game,

remove the key passage poster from sight and play again.

Activity choice (10 minutes) Option 1: No Obstacles supplies for creating an obstacle course (cones, beanbags, hula hoops, balls, masking tape)

Create an obstacle course in your teaching area using any available supplies. Cones, beanbags, hula

hoops, balls, masking tape, and other objects can be incorporated into the course. Check the obstacle

course for sharp edges or any other possible dangers. Remove these prior to playing.

Before allowing kids to play, walk through the obstacle course to demonstrate how kids should travel

through the course safely. Explain to the kids that the goal is for the entire group to hold hands and

complete the obstacle course together.

Say • We will face many obstacles in our lives that can hinder us from obeying God. Belshazzar was

hindered by worshiping false gods and by his pride. Both kept him from following the one true

God.

• God will help you overcome any obstacle that tries to hinder you from obeying Him. Rely on God

and He will help you follow and obey Him.


Option 2: Party Cups smocks or paint shirts

paint pens

non-disposable plastic cups

Allow kids to use paint pens to decorate plastic cups. For safety, instruct kids not to paint inside the cup

or too close to the rim. Encourage kids to print a Bible verse or phrase on their cups as a reminder that all

celebration should lead us to praise God.

Say • What was wrong with the celebration that Belshazzar and his friends had?

• Name a way Belshazzar sinned. (He was proud. He drank from the vessels dedicated to God. He

worshiped false idols.)


4th-6




11

• What happens when we humble ourselves and trust in Jesus? (When we humble ourselves and trust

in Jesus, God will raise us up too, and we will be with Him forever in heaven.)

Prayer (5 minutes)

Ask kids to consider areas of their lives in which they are tempted to be prideful.

Say • What does God do to the proud? God humbles the proud.

Provide kids with the opportunity to share their prayer requests aloud before closing the group in prayer.

Pray that the children would repent of any pride and seek God’s help to remain humble in the future.

Clean-Up Room

DanielUNIT 19 • Session 3 • Older Kids Activity Pages

Words: Daniel, hand, Belshazzar, message, wall, Nebuchadnezzar, Darius, wisdom, Jesus, humility, party

Instructions: Find the following words in the puzzle. Listen to today’s Bible

story to hear what part each word has in the story.

N E B U CH A D N E Z Z A RA E I O U N A AG E M T L QM YS U S E J N V U O Q Y DE L Q E Z Z R I D O D DA DSYT R A P L E T I S RTAS H U M I L I TY E I T Z NA PA R AQ T D RU W N Z IGY N W I S D O S H Q TA EE V L R A Z Z A H S L E B L

© 2013 Lifeway

UNIT 19 • Session 3 • Older Kids Activity Pages

Instructions: Find

all of the gold and silver

containers Belshazzar should not have

used at his party.

Daniel

© 2013 Lifeway

Family Journal Page

UNIT 19 • Session 3OK TO PRINT

Invite family members to write a special talent they have

below. Remind the family that God gives us talents to give

Him glory, not ourselves. Talk about how each family member’s

talent can be used for God, and help each family member plan a

time and place to use it.

DanielGod Gave Daniel WisdomDaniel 5

Preschool Key Passage: Daniel 6:27

Big Picture Question: How did God help Daniel help

the king? God gave Daniel wisdom.

Christ Connection: God made Daniel wise. Daniel

told the king God was going to punish him. The king

thought he was better than God. No one is better than

God. Jesus is God’s Son, and even He obeyed God.

Jesus left His place in heaven to come to earth and

rescue us from sin.

KidsKey Passage: Daniel 6:27

Big Picture Question: What does God do

to the proud? God humbles the proud.

Christ Connection: God used Daniel’s

wisdom to get the king’s attention about

his pride. The king acted like he was better

than God. God humbled the king. Jesus

humbled Himself by dying on the cross

for our sin. God raised up Jesus and gave

Him honor. When we humble ourselves

and trust in Jesus, God will raise us up

too, and we will be with Him forever in

heaven.

“He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from

the power of the lions.”Daniel 6:27

OK TO PRINT Daniel

Unit 19 Session 3 - God Gave Daniel Wisdom - Squarespace · PDF fileIntroduce the session (2...

Documents

Transcript of Unit 19 Session 3 - God Gave Daniel Wisdom - Squarespace · PDF fileIntroduce the session (2...