11/29/09 Leader's Guide

Stand Up
The Week of November 29th
Daniel 6

Getting Started

For Christmas and birthdays, do you tend to ask for things you want or need? Do you approach prayer in the same way?

Digging Deeper

In verses 1-3 we read that Daniel fared well in the political and military upheaval experienced as a result of the Medo-Persian conquest of Babylon (5:30). What does that tell us about God’s provision for his people? Can you give an example in your life when God sustained you in the midst of difficulty?

God’s provision is not restricted to a government, economy, job, or a boss. These things are instruments through which God provides (Isa 31:1).

In verses 4-5 we discover that Daniel’s enemies “could find no corruption in him.” After reading 1 Peter 2:12 and Titus 2:7 & 8, discuss two or three things we can do or avoid to keep our behavior excellent among unbelievers.

Action – Do the right thing.
Attitude – Don’t be a jerk and stay humble.
Speech – What you say and how you say it.

In verse 5-7 Daniel’s enemies conspire to use his faith against him. Last week we asked whether we could think of other examples in the Bible where a person’s faith was used against them. This week, discuss the subtle and blatant ways our faith can be used against us today?

In verse 10 we read that Daniel’s prayer life was consistent regardless of external pressure or ease. Do you tend to pray more when you are experiencing pressure or pleasure? How can we cultivate a consistent prayer life like Daniel?

In verse 10 we also read that Daniel “got down on his knees.” What does this physical gesture in prayer signify?

“The Bible shows us many positions for prayer. We read in the Bible that Jesus did kneel when He prayed. Jesus was accompanied by His disciples as they prayed on the Mount of Olives. There were also times He prayed in a standing position as the disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray. Jesus instructed them in what we call the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). “There he told them, ‘Pray that you will not be overcome by temptation.’ He walked away, about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed” (Luke 22:40-41).

Sometimes prayer is spontaneous and takes a variety of physical positions. All of these examples illustrate acceptable ways of prayer. Scripture commands us to proclaim God's greatness by means of our bodies. Here are a few additional examples of ways God is pleased with our worship.

• Some danced and sang their prayers as Miriam did (Exodus 15:20).
• The Israelites bowed their heads in gratitude and worship (Exodus 12:27).
• Job fell to the ground to petition God (Job 1:20).
• The Levites stood and praised the Lord with a loud shout (2 Chronicles 20:19).
• “For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah. Come, everyone, and clap your hands for joy! Shout to God with joyful praise!” (Psalm 47:1).
• “Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the LORD our maker” (Psalm 95:6).
• “Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp” (Psalm 149:3). “So wherever you assemble, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy” (1 Timothy 2:8).”

Verse 10 says that Daniel prayed, “giving thanks to his God, as he had done before.” Why is gratitude a proper expression of prayer? How does gratitude help to shape our prayers?

See Philippians 4:6; Eph. 5:20; Col. 3:17.

Verse 11 says that Daniel was “asking God for help” immediately upon hearing of the decree (vs.10; 2:18; 9:3; 10:12). Do you tend to act now and pray later, or pray now and act later? How do we avoid the extreme of self-sufficiency on the one hand (by acting) and irresponsibility on the other hand (by lounging)?

What are some other components that you see in Daniel’s prayer?

Why was the king unable to help save Daniel? What does this teach us about human solutions to our problems and prayer?

Putting It Into Practice

Have the group share what component of prayer they have most difficulty with. Spend some time praying for progress in this area.

11/22/08 Leader's Guide

Stand Up
The Week of November 22nd
Daniel 3

Getting Started

On Sunday we played songs that had the idea of heat, or fire. Can you think of other songs with lyrics about fire?

Do you have a phobia? If not, what’s the closet thing that you have to a phobia?

Digging Deeper

Read verse 1. What connections do you think there was between Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in chapter 2 and his statue in chapter 3?

God revealed that Babylon was only one kingdom among many that would come and go, ultimately to be supplanted by the Kingdom of God. Perhaps Nebuchadnezzar refused to believe that “his” kingdom would have such a short shelf life, and so sought to defy the vision by constructing a statue that only represented Babylon.

Looking over verses 2-7, how did Nebuchadnezzar make it easy to worship the image? How did he make it difficult not too? Identify some environments in our lives that make compromise easy and righteousness hard? What are the particular ways that compromise is rewarded and righteousness is censured in these places?

He had a great PR campaign: he “persuaded” leadership to promote the new policy and found a great band and a catching song to cull the people to follow their leaders. The downside was death.

Read verses 8-12. How did the Chaldeans use the truth to place Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego in difficulty? How did the Chaldeans also use distortion? Can you think of other examples in the Bible where a person’s faith was used against them?

The Chaldeans facilitated a clash between values of these three and the government. They knew that neither the Jews or the pagan government would back down, which would certainly mean death for the men.

Read verses 13-18. What are the two convictions that these Jews shared with Nebuchadnezzar? Are both convictions of faith? How are they the same and different? What does this tell us about believing in Jesus?

1. God will save us. 2. Even if he doesn’t, we’re not giving in. Both are convictions of faith. To see the similarity and contrast, look at Hebrews 11:32-40.

Read verses 19-23. How did Nebuchadnezzar respond to Shadrach, Meshach and Abed- nego’s faith? In what way did the three submit to Nebuchadnezzar’s authority? In what ways can we fail to fully obey God in our attempts to live courageously for him?

Read verses 24-26. Who was the mysterious 4th man who was seen with Daniel’s friends in the furnace? What’s the significance?

Perhaps this was an appearance of Christ. This might foreshadow the salvation of Jesus who saves us from the wrath to come

. Why is no mention made of Daniel in chapter 3?

How is the issue in chapter 3 similar to the problem Daniel and his three friends faced in chapter 1? How and why is their response different in chapter 3 than in chapter 1? How is their outcome different?

“Both chapters deal with submission to God and to human government. In chapter 1, the four Jews served God and government, offending neither God nor the government. In chapter 3, they had to choose God or government, being unable to serve both at the same time. Thus, in chapter 3, godly men had to obey God by disobeying government.
In chapter 1, Nebuchadnezzar did not realize the superior wisdom of Daniel and his three friends. In chapter 3, the king clearly understands the issue is over whose god is more powerful, his god or the God of the Hebrews. In both chapters, Daniel and his friends are promoted, but in the latter Nebuchadnezzar recognizes God working miraculously to deliver His servants and acknowledges the superiority of their God over his.”

How did these men’s faithfulness to God subsequently affect the Jews in Babylon, the King of Babylon, and those who conspired against these three men? What does this teach us about obedience?

“Daniel’s three friends are delivered and even promoted because of their faithfulness, and are included in the “hall of faith” in Hebrews 11 (see verses 32-34).Their deliverance reversed Nebuchadnezzar’s requirement of the Jews to bow down. It also protected Jewish worship by promising punishment for any who would seek to hinder their worship. Nebuchadnezzar is humbled to some degree and given greater revelation concerning the God of the Jews. Nebuchadnezzar understands in chapter 2 that the God of the Israelites is the source of wisdom and knowledge. He learns in chapter 3 that He also intervenes in human history to deliver His people. The enemies of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were shown the folly of their own “faith” and the power of the God of the Jews to preserve and deliver them. The reader of the account is reminded that God is the only Deliverer. Deliverance comes from God, to the people of God. Deliverance is complete. It will keep us through the fire of tribulation and adversity.”

Putting It Into Practice

Where do you need courage this week? Take some time to seek God for strength.

11/08/09 Leader's Guide

Real Relationships

The Week of November 8th

Getting Started:

1) If someone you cared about (brother, sister, son or daughter) was getting married, what questions would you want them to think through?

2) How can setting goals such as, marrying by a certain age, marrying someone with a certain career, or someone one with certain physical characteristics help in your search for a spouse? How can it hurt?

Going Deeper:

3) 1 Corinthians 7:36 talks about a man who is acting improperly toward his fiancé. What are some ways to mishandle engagement?

· Getting engaged if you’re unsettled about the relationship.

· Making the ceremony the sole object of preparation rather than the relationship.

· Prolonging engagement unnecessarily.

4) Verse 36 talks about getting along in years, what role should age play in a major life decision (e.g. marriage, going to college, changing careers, having children, etc)?

Age seems to be an important consideration. Let’s take marriage as an example, if you’re getting married at a younger age, you need to assess whether one has the emotional maturity to commit to the relation, the resolve to nurture the relationship through college and career placement, and how kids will factor into the previous two considerations. Consider the following stats on the divorce rate among those who marry young: http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=363986.

On the other hand, the challenges of marrying later are these: (a) sexual purity, (b) companionship, (c) fertility, (d) social pressure to marry earlier.

5) This week’s message encouraged us to settle matters “in our own mind”. Why do you think someone might get married without having the matter settled in his or her own mind? What steps do you take to have peace of mind when you make decisions?

6) We are called to make important decisions “under no compulsion”. What advice can you share to remove guilt or obligation from the decision making process?

Often people make bad decisions when they unjustifiably pressured to make a decision.

7) Verse 39 tells us a believer must marry a believer. Why is this important? How important is this to you personally? Why?

8) What advice would you give a single person to help confirm their future spouse has a real relationship with Jesus Christ?

They lead their personal and social life in a way that brings honor to Christ, including how they relate to their prospective spouse.

9) Do you think there are situations (e.g. pregnancy) where getting married becomes an obligation? What Biblical reasons would you offer to support your view?

Putting It Into Practice:

10) Share one way you can use the principles in this week’s passage in a decision or relationship other than marriage.

11) Are you facing a major decision, ask the group to pray for you.