CONNECT: In what circumstances can you show that the gift of eternal life has sprung up in you through Jesus?

WARM-UP

1. Have you ever experienced or witnessed a crushing defeat? What was it like?
2. In regards to living for God, in what ways are the times in which we now live different to the times of Daniel? What are some of the similarities between us and those led out to exile?

Read Daniel 1:1-2

1. To the outsider who didn’t know about the covenant and the Lord’s hand in all of this, what do these verses in Daniel look like?
2. Why were the Israelites defeated and led out to exile? Who was the one who orchestrated the whole thing? For what reason?
3. Read Deuteronomy 30:15-18. What is the role of the covenant in the exile of God’s people?
4. What was the main and underlying cause of Israel’s sinfulness? How could they still have hope even in the midst of their situation in exile?
5. In our context of uncertainty, instability, messiness, and our sinfulness, what is our source of assurance and peace?

Read Daniel 1:3-7

1. How do these verses show God’s faithfulness to his people and covenant?
2. What may have been king Nebuchadnezzar’s intention in bringing these educated people into his courts? What sort of things may they have learned?
3. What may have been the intention in changing the names of these men?
4. In our modern culture, have you ever experienced pressure to conform to the world? In what way? How did you react in this situation? How did Daniel react in V8?
5. Read 1 Peter 2:9-12. In what way are we foreigners and exiles in our world? To whom do we belong and where is our ultimate home? How are we called to live this side of the cross?
6. How can we ensure that we are living in line with God’s will for our lives and not the world’s?

APPLY: How should the cross shape the way in which you act on your frontlines?

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On Your Frontline This Week: How do your interactions with people & problems demonstrate your satisfaction in Jesus?

Listen, Watch, and Read:          

• AUDIO: ‘God of the Exiles’ by Alistair Begg
• AUDIO: ‘Discipleship with Distinction’ by William Taylor
• AUDIO: ‘Discretion & Valour’ 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

Kids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ Talk

eBook: Watch the eBook

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