Daniel 1:8-21
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This is the second of seven sermons in our series on Daniel. This sermon is ‘Living Faithfully in a Foreign Land’.
Questions and going deeper resources
Small group questions
CONNECT: How should the cross shape the way in which you act on your frontlines?
WARM-UP
- What do you think are the common ways that Christians may feel pressure to conform to culture?
- What are the main ways on your frontlines in which you feel pressure to conform to culture?
Read Daniel 18
- Looking back at verses 1-7, what were the ways in which Daniel (and his friends) seem to go along with the expectations set on them up to this point? Where did Daniel ‘draw the line’?
- Does this passage tell us why Daniel decided to draw the line here? What were the unlikely reasons?
- What do we learn from Daniel about how to determine which things matter and which things do not?
- How may have Daniel reached that resolution? How can that help shape our decision-making?
- What were the ingredients of Daniel’s response that can help shape our responses?
- On one of your frontlines, have you ever had to take a stand in order to be faithful to God? How did you discern that you needed to ‘draw a line’ about something in particular?
- What are the ways in which you’re most tempted to go along with culture? Is there anything right now on one of your frontlines in which you’re trying to discern if you should be ‘drawing a line’?
- What are the ways as community in which we can help each other discern how to live faithfully?
Read Daniel 1:9-21
- How is God’s kindness and faithfulness evident in what happens next?
- Have you ever had to take a stand at work/uni/school and witnessed God’s grace at work?
- Is there anything now in which you need to ask God for help to try and find a way through?
- How does verse 21 remind us of who really is in charge and who will ultimately be victorious?
- How does keeping our eyes on Jesus (and his return) help us to be faithful day-by-day?
Apply On any of your frontlines, is there anything you need to say ‘no’ to in order to be faithful to God?
BONUS: If work is a frontline, try the next meeting of our Centre for Work+Faith: stbarts.com.au/workfaith
Prayer
Gracious Father, how we praise you for your faithfulness! Please help us in our resolve to live faithfully on our frontlines, being wise in when to take stand and when it is not necessary. Please help us to ultimately trust that you are working out your purposes and that your Kingdom will prevail. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Going deeper resources
On Your Frontline This Week: What is challenging about your frontline? How do you respond to these challenges?
Listen, Watch, and Read:
- AUDIO: “The Daniel Diet” by Guy Mason
- AUDIO: “Clash of the Kingdoms” by Chris Wright
- AUDIO: “Discipleship with Distinction” by William Taylor
- INTERACTIVE: “Tour of Mesopotamia 1500-539BC” at the British Museum
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
Kids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ Talk
eBook: Watch the eBook
