Session 16: Daniel 3

Session 16: Daniel 3

Summarize:

I. (1-7)

II. (8-15)

III. (16-23)

IV. (24-27)

V. (28-30)

Read Daniel 3:1-7

1. What does the King build? Why do people build monuments to themselves?

Monument: a statue, building or other structure erected to commemorate a famous or notable person or event.

In the garden man originally sinned by parting ways with God. Mankind parted from God because he thought that he should be co-equal to God and share in His glory. Each one of us struggles with "the pride of life" the monuments/structures we've built into our life that make us feel important but at the same time undermine the authority of God in our lives because we refuse to relinquish control of that area of our life to God.

a. What kind of monuments do you have set up in your life?

b. What does the King command people to do in vs 5? How does this offend God and His people?(Ex 20: 3-4)

c. What are the ways you try to get people to worship or praise you?  Is it bad to seek praise or recognition?

d. How can we safeguard ourselves and in our good attributes direct people to the Lord?(1 Cor 10:31,Col 3:17)

Read Daniel 3:8-15

2. What do people accuse Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego of? (1 Peter 4:16)

a. Who are your enemies and why do they not like/hate you? Can you say that you have a clear conscience before both God and men?(Acts 24:16)

b. What commands or requirements of your bosses/supervisors may conflict with the commands of God? How do you honor the people in authority over you while still obeying God? (Acts 5:27-29)

Read Daniel 3:16-23

3. How do Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego respond to the accusation?(16)

Evangelism: Leaving someone with a better understanding of God than if they hadn't met me.

a. How is their response evangelistic?  How does their response demonstrate their trust in God?

Read Daniel 3:24-30

4. What happens that causes the King to be alarmed?

Christophany: An appearing/revelation of God that points to the Messiah

a. What does the work of God in the lives of Shadrach,  Meshach,  and Abednego cause the King to say?

Contextualize: Whenever we study scripture we need to remember that we are communicating with God. We are learning things about God, things about ourselves/humanity, and how God relates to us. These principles are also true in our relationships with people. For some unchurched people, your life might be all the bible they will ever read. So we need to be aware of how our testimony communicates things about God, things about humanity, and how God relates to humanity.

a. How can your life serve as a testimony that directs people to the things God does/is doing in your life?

Contextualize:

Actualize: