Daniel 6 - Ministry Exchange (MX)

Background: OT, Fall of Jerusalem, exile

Reading – Daniel 6 in four scenes. Assign parts as desired. Read
enthusiastically!

GROUP – What can we discover about Daniel?

Discussion Questions

V Why did Daniel’s co-workers plot against him? V Why would the king agree to sign a law that sounds to us unworthy of decree status? V How did Daniel respond to this decree? V What do we discover about prayer from Daniel’s routine? o 3x/day, on knees o upstairs room o with thanksgiving, seeking help (Psalm 59:1-4, 9) o facing Jerusalem (“City of God” in ruins, God’s people in exile. Restore your people, O God of Abraham, O God of our history!) o Don’t wait until things get tough and then pray. Begin now (or continue) learning and practicing the art and skill of prayer. V How does the king’s knowledge of God seem to alter during this account? V What other observations do you have? o Contrast the beginning (“it pleased Darius”) with the conclusion (“God’s dominion”) o Notice the solidarity of so many in the plot to trick, falsely indict and trap the king into consigning his favorite advisor to the death penalty. (NIV – “as a group”) o Notice that though he was king, Darius’ power was limited. o The king fasted the entire night that Daniel was confined to the den of lions. So also the lions fasted for the same period. o While the decree had limited prayer for 30 days to the king alone, the king’s letter after Daniel’s rescue proclaimed that all should reverence the living God. A reversal! V Tell about an example of godliness in public that has inspired or helped shape your faith. OR V Give an example of a challenge to faith that many people experience. V Finally, why do you think God, the living God, has chosen to preserve this incident in our Bible? What is God’s role in this narrative? o Tough times are not an indication necessarily of God’s displeasure. o God may intervene to rescue his people, thus promoting his own reputation and fulfilling his covenant promises to those who embrace his rule. o God’s kingdom is one that welcomes people of all nationalities. It is not limited to territory. o It is the living God who governs the world. History is his platform for revealing and accomplishing his purposes. He invites us to play our part – in faithfulness, with trustworthiness, integrity and with thoughtful, consistent prayer.

Create a cinquain poem in worship of God. Use words or ideas that flow
from this incident.
A Cinquain Poem is a 5 line poem which follows this pattern:

1st line – one word – title (GOD)

2nd line – two describing words

3rd line – three action words

4th line – four feeling words

5th line – one word synonym for title

Sing:

V Our God is an Awesome God V “He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love.”