Loyalty under pressure INTRODUCING THE BOOK OF DANIEL

The book of Daniel is full of familiar stories for many of us: Daniel and the lion’s den, the fiery furnace, the mysterious handwriting on the wall. But Daniel is more than just a collection of stories with a happy ending.

We meet four men who had such great faith in God. These four men found themselves in a foreign country, serving a foreign, pagan king. God had set high standards for his people, and these guys were facing some real struggles. Would they remain faithful? Would they follow their God with all their heart, or was it all too difficult?

It’s a real challenge of faith. Throughout the book, we see God’s hand in saving his people. God intervened in seemingly impossible situations that should have brought death. It’s a great sign of God’s work behind the scenes, a key theme of the whole book of Daniel.

As we look through this book, you will notice that there are two distinct sections. Chapters 1 through 6 are a series of stories of events. Chapters 7 through 12 contain a series of dreams that Daniel has. These five studies will explore each of these sections, and help us to see the great hope that Daniel and his friends have in spite of their situation. It is a hope that we can share in through our own struggles in life.

Luke Thomson

Praise Be To The Name Of God

FOREVER AND EVER; WISDOM AND POWER ARE HIS. HE CHANGES TIMES AND SEASONS; HE DEPOSES KINGS AND RAISES UP OTHERS. HE GIVES WISDOM TO THE WISE AND KNOWLEDGE TO THE DISCERNING.

DANIEL 2:20-21

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What does it mean to be loyal to someone?

What makes it difficult to remain loyal to someone?

What makes it difficult to remain loyal to God?

Putting it in context

Daniel’s story happened in the middle of a very difficult time for God’s people. The place where Daniel was living was not in the Promised Land.

Why was he living so far away in a foreign place? Read Daniel 1:1–2 for background.

Read and talk

Set The Scene

Read Daniel 1:1–7.

From this introduction to the story of Daniel, what does God’s role in the story appear to be?

What does Nebuchadnezzar’s role in the story appear to be?

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Does your name have any significant meaning?

How would you feel if someone gave you a new name, one that you didn’t like?

What do you think it meant for Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah to have their names changed?

Staying Loyal

Read Daniel 1:8–21.

Why was it important for Daniel and his friends not to eat the royal food and drink the wine?

How hard do you think it was for Daniel and his friends to give up this food and wine?

The guard decided to let them do this for ten days, and see what happened. What would happen to the guard if, at the end of this time, the four men looked really unhealthy?

What would happen to Daniel and his friends?

What actually happened?

Has God’s place in the story been made clearer? Is it different from what you first thought?

Read about the exile in 2 Kings 25 and Psalm 137.

Why did God allow his people to go through such suffering?

Do you have questions about why God allows suffering? How do you make sense of the tough times in your life?