Helping Christians close the gap between Sunday worship and Monday work.

Transcription

1 Helping Christians close the gap between Sunday worship and Monday work

2 Mission To equip, connect, and mobilize Christians to live out their faith in the workplace. So that You can experience the transforming power of Christ's presence there.

3 Students by helping you identify and articulate your unique calling by helping you see the value of the work God has designed you to do by leading you develop a vision for following Christ in your chosen profession

4 Daniel Goes to College OR How to Thrive as a Student in a Threatening World Bill Peel Executive Director, Center for Faith & Work

5 Daniel: A Powerful Paradigm How to survive when the bottom drops out develop a culture-changing faith seek divine guidance while in the trenches recognize opportunities in negative situations stand up for what is right when everyone else is giving in attract others to Christ survive the test of success

6 Daniel Goes to College Daniel 1:1-2 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the vessels of the house of God; and he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and he brought the vessels into the treasury of his god.

7 Off to Babylon U. Daniel 1:3-4 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, including some of the royal family and of the nobles, who had ability for serving in the king's court

8 Four Common Tests of Faith Interruption Identity Integrity Instruction

9 A Young Man with a Future youths in whom was no defect, who were good-looking, showing intelligence in every branch of wisdom, endowed with understanding, and discerning knowledge Age youth (mid-teen) Socially privileged Physically a specimen Intellectually superior

10 The Test of Interruption Daniel s response He accepted his situation He refused to blame others

11 The Test of Identity Daniel 1:6-7 Now among them from the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 Then the commander of the officials assigned new names to them; and to Daniel he assigned the name Belteshazzar, to Hananiah Shadrach, to Mishael Meshach, and to Azariah Abed-nego.

12 The Test of Identity HEBREW Daniel = God is my Judge Hananiah = Yahweh is gracious Mishael = Who is like God? Azariah = Yahweh has helped BABYLONIAN Belteshazzar = Bel's Prince Shadrach = Command of Aku Meshach = Who is like Aku? Abednego = Servant of Nebo

13 The Test of Identity Daniel s response He endured it, but He never called himself by his Babylonian name

14 The Test of Integrity Daniel 1:5 And the king appointed for them a daily ration from the king's choice food and from the wine which he drank, Daniel 1:8 But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king's choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile

15 The Test of Integrity Daniel s response He determined not to participate in idolatry He proposed a creative alternative

16 The Test of Instruction Daniel 1:4-5 [Ashpenaz, chief of court officials] was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king's service.

17 The Test of Instruction Daniel s response: He was diligent in his studies. God blessed his effort.

18 The Outcome Daniel 1:17-21 As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom; Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams....

19 The Outcome 18 Then at the end of the days which the king had specified for presenting them, the commander of the officials presented them before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and out of them all not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king's personal service.

20 The Outcome 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. 21 And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.

21 Thriving as a Student Accept interruptions of life as inevitable. 1 Peter 4:12 Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But, keep your eyes on the problem solver and look for the opportunity. 1 Peter 4:19 So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

22 Thriving as a Student Never let anyone but Christ determine your identity. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

23 Thriving as a Student Draw the boundary around your freedom. Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God this is your spiritual act of worship.

24 Thriving as a Student Accept the disciplines of character and craftsmanship. Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

25 Thriving as a Student Don t try to go it alone. Gather your band of brothers or sisters. Galatians 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. Genesis 2:18 Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."

26 Thriving as a Student Remember: God wants to use you in greater ways than you ever dreamed possible. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us