Leader's Guide 12/06/09

Stand Up
The Week of December 6
Daniel 6:15-28

Getting Started

Who is one of the most courageous people you personally know? What about them shows courage?

Share a scene from a movie that best exemplifies courage?

Spiritual Growth Check Up

This story involves Daniel’s faithfulness and consistency in prayer. How are you doing in the area of prayer?

Digging Deeper

Read verses 13-16. How does the king respond to the news that Daniel had broken the new law he had just signed? Why was the king unable to help Daniel?

“The king was surprised and greatly upset. He seems to have known he was deceived and used by his officials, and that he made a foolish decision in signing the proposed law. He appears convinced that Daniel was innocent of any real crime. He probably recognizes by this time that the whole matter was a scheme cooked up by some of his other officials, so that Daniel’s promotion could be aborted. The one man in whom the king had complete confidence was now charged with a crime. Perhaps worst of all was the king’s growing realization that there was nothing he could do to stop Daniel’s execution.”

“The king was bound by the law of the Medes and the Persians. It would seem that the Medo-Persian empire, like our own nation, was a government of laws, and not of men. Signing this injunction into law as one of the “laws of the Medes and the Persians” was to make the law irrevocable. The king was powerless to save Daniel, in spite of his strong desire to do so.”

Read Matthew 5:33-37 and James 5:12. How do these verses address Darius’ decree? What are some examples of foolish vows or promises that we might make today? What kinds of vows should we make?

Whatever Jesus and James mean, they cannot mean that all forms of oath making are prohibited. Why? Jesus later in his life responds to an oath (Matt.26:63-64). The righteous angel of Revelation 10:6 is described has having “swore by him who lives forever and ever.” The apostle Paul calls God as his witness in verifying his intentions towards the Corinthians (2 Cor.1:23; cf. Gal 1:20). Even Jehovah swore by himself (Hebrews 6:13). Among these there are other numerous famous and celebrative oaths made throughout redemptive history: Jonathan and David (1Sam. 18:3,4; 20:16, 42; 2 Sam 21:7) The Jews with each other to serve God (1 Chron. 15:12-15; Neh 10:28-32) Moses to Caleb (Josh 14:9) Ruth to Naomi (Ruth 1:17) Boaz to Ruth (Ruth 3:13 Elisha to Elijah (2 Kings 2:2). In Matthew 5, Jesus was referring to the prevent practice of frivolous swearing. One commentator notes that a man might swear a false oath “a hundred thousand times and yet not be guilty of vain swearing.” This man would have justified his behavior of not following through with his oath by saying that he didn’t “swear by God.” He might have sworn by heaven, or by earth, or even by the hairs of his own head, but in his mind this isn’t swearing by God. As such, he regarded such oaths as not being binding. Jesus counters this prevalent philosophy of promise making by insisting that all things belong God. To swear by anything is tantamount to swearing by God. As such, our word should be so sure and solid that our “yes” or “no” should be good enough.

In verses 16-19 Darius frequently refers to God as Daniel’s God, or “your God.” Do you think that Darius was a genuine believer? What are some spiritual advantages for a non-Christian who has positive viewpoint of Jesus? What are some disadvantages?

Why was Daniel spared from death when many Old Testament saints were not? Does God spare everyone who is godly and has faith from danger or death?

“We are not told why God chose to deliver Daniel, while He allows others to suffer persecution and death and their oppressors to apparently prosper. In Hebrews 11 we find two kinds of saints: (1) those who were delivered from danger or death, and (2) those who were delivered through danger or death (see Hebrews 11:32-40). We should remember that our Lord was without sin, and yet God did not spare Him, but delivered Him up to suffer and to die. We can at best say that God purposes for some to suffer and even die to accomplish His purposes, and others He delivers for His purposes. It would seem in Daniel’s case that God delivered him as a reminder to the Jews that as He delivered Daniel, so He would deliver Israel from her captivity. Furthermore, Daniel’s life may also have been prolonged because God still had prophecies to reveal to him and through him (see Daniel 10:1ff.).”

Read verses 20-22. What are some less than godly ways Daniel might have responded Darius? Share with the group a circumstance in which you were or could have been gracious towards someone whose foolish decision affected you negatively.

In verse 26 Darius issues a decree that people “must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.” Is this a wise decree? Compare with Darius’ previous decree (vss.6-9). What’s the difference between legislating religion and morality?

Read verses 26-27. What are the three attributes of God described by Darius? How do they relate to each other? What response should we have to them?

1. Existence
2. Sovereignty
3. Love

Putting It Into Practice

Is there a situation, a decision, a relationship that requires courage in your life? Share that with the group and let them pray for you.

Is there something present in your life (or of someone you know) that has forced you to trust in a greater way that God exists, is sovereign, and cares for you? Spend some time praying for a greater realization of these things in your life.

All Church Prayer Request – Please take time in your groups to pray for God’s hand of blessing on our church.