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The book of Daniel

The book of Daniel. An account of God’s Sovereignty. Prayer Requests. How would you define yourself? Who are you? (and you cannot say “I’m a Christian”) Is it harder or easier for people to retain their “identity” in an environment in which they “out of their element”/Isolated?.

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The book of Daniel

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  1. The book of Daniel An account of God’s Sovereignty

  2. Prayer Requests

  3. How would you define yourself? Who are you? (and you cannot say “I’m a Christian”) Is it harder or easier for people to retain their “identity” in an environment in which they “out of their element”/Isolated? Discussion Questions

  4. Author • Daniel (“God is my judge”). • He was deported from Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar in 605 B.C. • Most likely a member of a royal family in Judah. • He was a Statesman in Babylon for entire life. • Literary Type • Narrative • Prophetic Background

  5. Historical Setting • Northern Kingdom (Israel) • After years of warning against Idolatry, God brought judgment by the Assyrians against the northern kingdom. • First deportation took place in 734 B.C. (about 200 years since the split) • The second and took place in 722 B.C. • The people that were left intermarried and became known as the Samaritans. • Southern Kingdom (Judah) • The people of Judah were spared this. However, they too fell into idolatry. • They were captured by Babylon in 608 B.C. (about 100 years later). • Idolatry was the downfall of both kingdoms. • Idolatry was never a serious issue after these events. • Israel was united and grew under David and Solomon • After Solomon the kingdom was divided in 928 B.C.

  6. Outline of the Book of Daniel Purposes of the Book To give hope to a people in captivity To show people how to live for God in the midst of oppression To lay out God’s program for the Gentile nations over time Heaven Rules (Daniel 4:26) Sovereignty over Kingdoms Sovereignty over Mankind Sovereignty over History Beginnings of Daniel’s Life The Five Kingdoms Saved from the Furnace The Humbling of Nebuchadnezzar God judges Babylon Deliverance from the Den of Lions Coming Rulers End time Events Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7-8 9-12 Written in Hebrew (written especially for the Hebrews) Written in Aramaic (written for the Nations)

  7. Daniel Chapter 1 Remaining Faithful: The need for Wisdom

  8. Read Daniel 1:1-2 If you were a Jew living at this time, how must you have felt about these events? What do you think the significance is of the phrase “And the Lord gave (delivered) …”. What does this tell you about God? Why did Daniel start with this phrase? Q. Have you ever had a time in your life where you felt like thing were completely out of control? Circumstances just do not make sense? Q. After you came through it, were you able to see God’s hand in this event? A Change of Identity

  9. Read Daniel 1:3-7 Common Practice of Rulers at this time. Q. What do you think was going through the heads of these young boys? Q. Why do you think they changed their names? A Change of Identity

  10. The Significance of Names Q. Why do you think the Babylonians did this?

  11. Q. Has anyone here ever experienced Culture Shock? Can you describe it? Daniel and his friends went along with all of this until… Read 1:8 “Defiled”… Q. Why would this have been a big deal to Daniel and his friends? What was Daniel’s response…. A Change of Identity

  12. Read 1:9-14 Q. What might have been some possible responses from Daniel? Q. What was his response? How does he handle the situation? He looks for “alternate ways of meeting the request imposed by others without violating his beliefs”. “Negotiables” vs. “Non-Negotiables” The Exercise of Wisdom

  13. Examples from our Lives

  14. Q. Can someone here share of a time in their life where they were asked to do something that would step over the line? Cause you to compromise? Q. What was the real purpose behind the request? Q. Were there multiple ways to meet this request? Examples from our Lives

  15. Read Daniel 1:15-21 “Those who honor me I will honor” (1 Samuel 2:30) Q. What would this have communicated to God’s people in a foreign culture? Q. How would this have been helpful and encouraging? Q. How can this be encouraging to us today? The Results

  16. When confronted with a situation that may compromise our convictions… exercise wisdom. • Ask… • What is the real intent of this request? • Can I meet the real intent without compromise? • If so, how? • If not, use as an opportunity to exercise convictions. Application

  17. Eric Liddell – 1902 – 1945 Scottish Athlete and Missionary Life was depicted in “Chariots of Fire” Ran in the 1924 Paris Olympics He chose not to run in his best event, the 100 meter Found an alternate race to run it. The rest of his life… Conclusion

  18. As believers, we are God’s people in a foreign culture. God has called us to exercise Conviction and Wisdom. Sometimes we can find solutions that allow us to hold our convictions, but sometimes we cannot…. God is looking for people that will choose to engage with their culture, not hide from it, yet retain their identity. People who will exercise wisdom in understanding what is negotiable and what it not negotiable and chose to stand when the situations call for it. Conclusion

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