CONNECT: How can we trust God this week and acknowledge his work in our lives to those on our frontlines?

WARM-UP

1. At surface level, looking at Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel, how did the kingdom of Babylon and Kingdom of God seem to compare?

Read Daniel 4:1-27

1. Who is this letter written by? Who is it written to?
2. What are the main features of the dream? What (according to Daniel) do these mean?
3. Why do you think that this dream terrified Nebuchadnezzar? Why did it scare Daniel?
4. How is it evident that Daniel had great compassion for Nebuchadnezzar? Is this surprising? Have you ever known someone to whom you found it difficult to demonstrate God’s compassion to?
5. Is there any significance about the stump of the tree being left? How is this an image of hope?
6. According to this section, what is the point of this wake-up-call and warning? (See verses 17 and 25.) How is this an incredible act of mercy? What does Daniel implore Nebuchadnezzar to do?
7. How can we look for greatness in all the wrong places? What helps you recognise God’s greatness?

Read Daniel 4:28-37

1. Looking back through Daniel, when has Nebuchadnezzar almost grasped the truth about God?
2. What blinded Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge the Lord despite all of the evidence that he had witnessed? Can we ever be blinded like this?
3. As Nebuchadnezzar looks upon the city, what is his conclusion? What truth has he ultimately failed to recognise and acknowledge?
4. On one of your frontlines, how does recognising that you’re accountable to God (he rules) and that everything you have is from God (including salvation) help you to orientate everything to him?
5. What truth about God becomes apparent to Nebuchadnezzar (vv.34-35)? How do we know this to be true in Jesus?

Apply Identify one achievement or gift in your life. What does it look like to recognise that this is from God and to use it for his glory on one of your frontlines?

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On Your Frontline This Week: How is your reliance on God, above everything else, visible on your frontline?

Listen, Watch, and Read:          

• AUDIO: “Distinctly Defiant” by William Taylor:
• AUDIO: “With Daniel and God’s Judgement” by Hector Sanchez:
• AUDIO: “Accountable to Whom” by Richard Trist:
• AUDIO: “The Humble and the Proud” by Christopher Ash:

Series Resources:

Some helpful resources for our Series:

• Series overview both in PDF and Audiobook: https://bit.ly/3DsC3bB
• Daniel and the Twelve Prophets by John Goldingay. https://bit.ly/3jLRKnw
• Kingdoms in Conflict by Andrew Reid. https://bit.ly/3kZp61u
• Daniel Overview by The Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/daniel/
• “Exile” Overview by The Bible Project. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSua9_WhQFE

Grow as Families

Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.

Families: Read, Chat, Do, and Pray

High School: CHARGE Discussion Questions (Coming Soon)

Kids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ Talk

eBook: Watch the eBook

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