1 st -3 rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 19, Session 1: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God

Transcription

1 TEACHER BIBLE STUDY God s people had been warned. The prophets had come with messages from God: Turn from your sin, and turn back to God! But the people did not listen. The nation of Judah was consumed by idol worship; the kings did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. So God kept His word He allowed His people to be taken from their land. They became captives in the enemy nation of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar was the king of Babylon, the strong and powerful nation that overtook Judah s capital of Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar carried the treasures of Judah away to Babylon. Even the holy vessels of God s temple were taken. Daniel was a young man in Judah when this happened. He might have heard about the prophet Isaiah s warnings; now he witnessed their fulfillment. (See Isaiah 39:5-7.) King Nebuchadnezzar called for the best young men from Judah to be trained for service in the palace. Among these teens was Daniel and three of his friends. The chosen boys were given new identities new names, new education, new culture. They were indoctrinated to be good Babylonians. But Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah stayed faithful to the one true God and refused to make themselves unclean by eating the king s food. God was pleased with Daniel and his friends, and He blessed them. God gave them wisdom and knowledge. They were smarter than all the other young men in Babylon, and the king recognized their gifts. Daniel s obedience to God led to his favor with King Nebuchadnezzar, and Daniel s life would be a testament to God s control over all things. Throughout their exile, God did not forget His people. God s people could trust Him. They had God s promise through the prophets that He would bring them back to their homeland and set up a new kingdom. Daniel lived about 600 years before Jesus the perfectly obedient promised One. We can trust that Jesus will return someday to set up His kingdom forever. LESSON OVERVIEW/SCHEDULE Session Title: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God Bible Passage: Daniel 1 Big Picture Question: What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God. Key Passage: Daniel 6:27 Unit Christ Connection: Despite captivity, God used faithful people to continue His plan to provide salvation through Jesus Christ. Transition Time Welcome time 1

2 Activity sheet/table Centers Session starter (10 minutes) Lesson Countdown Introduce the session (1 minute) Timeline Map (1 minute) Big picture question (1 minute) Sing (5 minutes) Key passage (4 minutes) Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) Discussion starter video (3 minutes) The Gospel: God s Plan for Me (optional) Prayer (5 minutes) Table Time Timeline map (1 minute) Bible story review (10 minutes) Large Group Review / Activities Key passage activity (5 minutes) Activity choice (10 minutes) Prayer (5 minutes) THE BIBLE STORY/OVERVIEW Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God Daniel 1 Nebuchadnezzar (NEB yoo kad NEZ uhr), the king of Babylon, went with his army to Jerusalem. At this time, Jehoiakim (jih HOY uh kim), son of King Josiah, was the king of Judah. God allowed King Nebuchadnezzar to take over the city. Nebuchadnezzar took things from God s temple back to Babylon. He put them in the temple where he worshiped a false god. King Nebuchadnezzar told the man in charge of his leaders to bring some of the people to Babylon too. He wanted boys who were healthy, handsome, and good learners. Nebuchadnezzar wanted the boys to serve in his palace. He wanted them to learn the Babylonian language. Every day, King Nebuchadnezzar gave the boys a special diet. They ate the same food and drank the same drinks that the king ate and drank. The king planned to train the boys for three years before they became his servants. 2

3 Four of the boys who came from Judah were different than the others. They worshiped the Lord, the one true God. Their names were Daniel, Hananiah (HAN uh NIGH uh), Mishael (MISH eh uhl), and Azariah (az uh RIGH uh). The man in charge of the boys gave them new Babylonian names. Daniel s new name was Belteshazzar (bel tih SHAZ uhr). Hananiah s new name was Shadrach (SHAD rak). Mishael s new name was Meshach (MEE shak), and Azariah s new name was Abednego (uh BED-nih goh). Even though they weren t in Judah anymore, Daniel still wanted to obey God. God s laws told Daniel what he could and could not eat. Daniel was not allowed to eat some of the food that the king gave the boys every day. Daniel asked the man in charge for permission to eat other foods, but the man in charge was afraid. If you don t eat the king s food, you will get thin. You won t be strong like the other young men. The king might get angry with me and kill me! he said. Daniel said to the guard, Try this for 10 days. Let us eat only vegetables, and let us drink only water. Then see if we are healthier than the other young men. The guard agreed to change their diet for 10 days. At the end of 10 days, Daniel and his friends looked healthier than the young men who had eaten the king s food. After that, the guard allowed Daniel and his friends to keep drinking water and eating vegetables. God was happy that Daniel obeyed Him. God blessed Daniel and his friends. He made them wise and smart. They learned lots of new things. God gave Daniel the ability to understand visions and dreams. When their three years of training was over, Daniel and his friends stood before the king. The king talked to them and saw that they were smarter and stronger than all the other young men. They were even smarter than the wise men who worked for the king. Daniel stayed and served the king for many years. Christ Connection: Daniel chose to obey God no matter what. God blessed Daniel and his friends. Daniel wasn t perfect, but he reminds us of someone who was. Jesus obeyed God perfectly and He always pleases God. We please God when we trust in Jesus. TRANSITION TIME Session Title: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God Bible Passage: Daniel 1 Big Picture Question: What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God. Key Passage: Daniel 6:27 Unit Christ Connection: Despite captivity, God used faithful people to continue His plan to provide salvation through Jesus Christ. Welcome time Tip: As kids arrive this is a great time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. 3

4 Arriving Activity: Obey List large sheet of paper marker Post a list of rules. Ask the kids to obey them as they arrive. Here are some suggestions: say hi to every kid in the room; give one kid a high five; share with another kid something fun you did this week; find someone wearing one of the same colors as you; tell an adult in the room thank you for being your teacher. Say Did you obey all the rules? Were any of the rules hard to obey? Today, we will meet some young men who chose to obey God even though it was hard. Activities/Table Centers (5 minutes) Table centers (Miscellaneous Activities) Eating Veggies activity sheet / Bible Story Coloring Sheet, 1 per kid pencils, markers or crayons Guide boys and girls to complete the activity page. Say In today s Bible story, four young men chose to eat differently than everyone around them. We ll see what they ate and why. If time remains, allow kids to complete the coloring page provided with this session. Session Starter (10 minutes) Option 1: Who s Different? Choose three or more volunteers to come to the front of the room. Quietly give them instructions to complete an exercise. Invite one of the kids in the group to complete the exercise slightly differently. Then, challenge the kids who are not in the group to figure out which kid is doing something different and what he is doing different. Choose new volunteers and play again. Here are some suggestions: Challenge the volunteers to do 10 jumping jacks with one kid doing 11. Challenge the volunteers to wave with their right hands while one waves with his left. Challenge the volunteers to raise their hands straight up while one also crosses two fingers. Challenge the volunteers to stand up straight with feet together while one kid has his feet slightly apart. Challenge the volunteers to rub their stomachs clockwise while one kid rubs her stomach counterclockwise. Say Each time, one volunteer did something different from the rest. Is it sometimes hard to be different when your friends are all doing the same thing? In today s Bible story, four young men chose to be different from their friends. Option 2: Veggies Please assorted vegetables paper plates or towels, 1 per kid vegetable dips (optional) Allergy Alert Prepare a plate of vegetables or pick up a pre-packed vegetable plate from a local grocery store. 4

5 Provide dips if you wish. Give each kid a paper plate or towel, and put a few vegetables of his choice on it. Invite the kids to name their favorite vegetable. Say Would you like to eat only vegetables? In today s Bible story, that s exactly what four young men did, and God blessed them for it. Transition to large group LESSON Session Title: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God Bible Passage: Daniel 1 Big Picture Question: What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God. Key Passage: Daniel 6:27 Unit Christ Connection: Despite captivity, God used faithful people to continue His plan to provide salvation through Jesus Christ. Suggested Theme Decorating Ideas: Use blue sheets or large pieces of blue paper as a background. Paint mountains and trees on the background to create a wooded scene. You may also choose to use Christmas trees and potted trees to give a 3-D effect. Use a ladder to create a tower. Place a red rotating beacon on the top of the ladder. Make sure kids can t climb on the ladder. Countdown countdown video (on provided DVD with lesson videos and worship) Show the countdown video as you clean-up table centers, set up classroom chairs for lesson and set it to end as large group time begins. Introduce the session (1 minute) rope garden hose plastic hard hat inflatable swim ring TIP: You will use these same items each week. [Large group leader enters carrying a rope, garden hose, plastic hard hat, and an inflatable swim ring.] Leader All right, all I have to do is get the right equipment. Hey! What are you all doing here? Are you part of the new rescue training crew? Since you re here, let s see what you know about rescue. By the way, I m Rescue Ray. We will be testing our emergency preparedness for the next few weeks. That means we have some pretend emergencies to make 5

6 sure we are ready when the real thing happens. For our first pretend drill, someone needs help at a nearby river. They were trying to swim upstream. It wasn t too long before they were being pulled downstream. Which of these items do you think I should take for a water rescue? Should I take the inflatable? You think I should take the rope too? You are good! Now, I just have to wait until I get more instructions about the next part of the drill. We ve got a few minutes. You know what I like to read when I have time? Rescue stories! My favorite rescue stories are from the Bible because they are all true! Timeline Map (1 minute) Timeline Map (small group visual pack copies provided for Table Time Review) Leader This is a whole timeline of rescue stories. Can you point out anyone on this map who needed rescuing? Hey, here are several stories right in a row. Have you ever heard of a man named Daniel? God s people sinned, so they were sent to Babylon after Judah was destroyed. Some of the people still loved and worshiped God though. Daniel was one of them, but he and three of his friends soon found out loving and worshiping God would be a lot harder in Babylon. The people there didn t love and worship God. Big picture question (1 minute) Big Picture Question: What did Daniel do in captivity? - 11x17 poster provided Leader Where do you think we could find out more about Daniel and his friends? It s all in the Bible. After all, the Bible is one big rescue story about Jesus and how He rescued us from sin. Being forced to live in another place couldn t have been easy. What did Daniel do in captivity? That s a really good question. It s also the big picture question for today. What did Daniel do in captivity? Sing (5 minutes) Worship Song: You Are I Am (on provided DVD) Leader When you are in captivity, you don t have the freedom to make all your own choices. Daniel, like many of God s chosen people, was living in Babylon because he had been taken from his home in Judah. That didn t stop Daniel from worshiping and obeying God. Daniel knew there was one God. Let s worship God too! Sing together You Are I Am. Key passage (4 minutes) Key Passage Poster: Daniel 6:27 (provided) Worship Song: He Rescues and Delivers (on provided DVD) Leader God planned to send a Savior to save us from sin, which separates us from God. He sent Jesus to pay the penalty for sin, so we could be close to God again. Jesus came to our rescue. That brings us to our key passage. Show the slide or poster of the unit s key passage, Daniel 6:27. Lead the boys and girls to read the verse aloud. Sing together He Rescues and Delivers. 6

7 Tell the Bible Story (10 minutes) Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God video (on provided DVD) Bibles, 1 per kid Bible Story Picture Slide or Poster Leader Our first rescue story involving Daniel can be found in Daniel 1. Let s see if you can find Daniel in your Bible. Keep listening for the answer to the big picture question, What did Daniel do in captivity? Show the Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God video, or choose to tell the Bible story in your own words using the script provided. For a shorter version of the story, read only the bolded text. Leader Daniel and his friends were in a place they didn t want to be. They had been taken captive by the Babylonians. What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God. He chose to obey God even if that meant being different from everyone else. Daniel and his friends knew God had given the Israelites instructions on the foods they should eat and how they should eat them. The Babylonians didn t follow the same rules. When Daniel and the others obeyed God, God blessed them. They looked better and were smarter than everyone else. Ask the following review questions: What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God. What were the Babylonian names given to Daniel s three friends? (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; Daniel 1:7) What were Daniel and his friends commanded to do? (train for service to the king, Daniel 1:5) What did Daniel request to eat and drink? (vegetables and water, Daniel 1:12) How did Daniel and his friends compare to those who ate from the king s table? (They were healthier and wiser; Daniel 1:15,19-20) Discussion starter video (3 minutes) Unit 19, Session 1 - Discussion Starter Video (on provided DVD) Big Picture Question: What did Daniel do in captivity? - 11x17 poster provided Leader Do you sometimes struggle to eat what you know you should eat? Watch this video. Show the Unit 19 Session 1 video. Leader What are some foods you eat that are not good for you? While what we eat is important, the message of today s Bible story is not that you should eat your veggies. It is about obedience and being faithful even when it s hard. What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God. Daniel s obedience pleased God, and God blessed him. Daniel still wasn t perfect, but he reminds us of someone who is. Jesus perfectly obeyed and pleased God. Because He did, we please God when we put our trust in Jesus. The Gospel: God s Plan for Me (optional) Use Scripture and the guide provided with this session to explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Assign individuals to meet with kids who have more questions. If this is not 7

8 possible, encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other Christian adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian. Prayer (5 minutes) Big Picture Question: What did Daniel do in captivity? - 11x17 poster provided Show the big picture question slide or poster. Leader Just in case you missed it, let s look at the answer to the big picture question. What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God. Ask the big picture question. Then announce a food item, and invite the kids who ate that item sometime during the week to give the answer. Continue with a different food item as time allows. Before transitioning to small group, make any necessary announcements. Lead the kids in prayer. Pray that God will give the kids strength to obey Him even as others choose not to. Dismiss to small groups for Table Time The Gospel: God s Plan for Me Ask kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means good news. It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids. God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean. We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23) God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9. Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:18. We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus. Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus. 8

9 TABLE TIME LEADER Session Title: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God Bible Passage: Daniel 1 Big Picture Question: What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God. Key Passage: Daniel 6:27 Unit Christ Connection: Despite captivity, God used faithful people to continue His plan to provide salvation through Jesus Christ. Bible story review (10 minutes) Tip: Divide children into small groups for table time. Each group should include an adult leader at the table. Bibles, 1 per kid Timeline (small group visual pack extra copies provided for Table Time Review) Big Picture Question: What did Daniel do in captivity? (11x17 poster provided in classroom) Encourage the kids to find Daniel 1 in their Bibles. Help them as needed. Say Daniel is found in the Old Testament. Daniel is part of the Major Prophets division of the Bible. Daniel talked about what was happening to God s chosen people while they were in Babylon and what was going to happen in the future. Use the small group visual pack to show kids where today s Bible story is on the timeline. Review the Bible story provided using the bolded text, or summarize the story in your own words. As you retell the story, invite the kids to move a hand to their mouths as if eating something each time you say eat. Instruct them to say yum, yum when you say vegetables. Say How many of you like to eat vegetables? What are some vegetables you like to eat? We don t know if Daniel and his friends really liked vegetables, but we do know they really liked obeying God. They were living in a place they didn t choose to be, but they refused to live like the Babylonians. It s not always easy to be different. It would have been easy for Daniel and his friends to eat the king s food. Instead, they chose to be faithful to God. Show the big picture question slide or poster. Say That reminds me of the big picture question and answer, What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God. 9

10 LARGE GROUP REVIEW AND ACTIVITIES Key passage activity (5 minutes) Which One is Different? Instructions Key Passage Poster: Daniel 6:27 (provided) dry erase board and markers (optional) 7 sheets of colored paper (one has the Key Passage attached to it) Make sure the key passage, Daniel 6:27, is visible for each child, either as the printed poster or written on a dry erase board. Read the verse together. Say God is the One who rescues us when we are in trouble and delivers us from tough situations. Even though Daniel and his friends just ate vegetables, God made them stronger and smarter than any of the Babylonians. Of course, God sent Jesus to deliver us from the worst thing ever sin. Seven sheets of colored paper are provided, one of which has the Key Passage on it. Flip over the piece of paper so the words can t be seen. Put the other six sheets of the same color paper around the one with the key passage. Invite each kid to try to choose which piece has the verse on it. If incorrect, allow another kid to choose. Once kids discover the key passage, invite the winner to lead the kids in saying it. Activity Choice (10 minutes) Option 1: Obey or Not Read the following scenarios, and let the kids decide if the kid mentioned obeyed or not. Talk about what each kid should have done instead. Make it a little more fun by inviting someone to act out each scenario. See if the kids can guess what is going on. Ruby s dad told her to clean her room, so she picked up all her toys and stuffed them into the closet. John s teacher asked him to complete a page of homework. He did most of it, but chose to watch a TV show instead of finishing it. Luke s pastor told him that he should always tell the truth. He knocked over a vase that belonged to his mother while playing basketball in the house. He told his mom he broke the vase when he tripped and bumped the table it was on. Lily s friend asked her to feed her pet fish while she was on vacation. Lily forgot. The fish was OK, so Lily acted like she had fed the fish. Say It would have been easy for Daniel and his friends to have said, This is the food we ve been given, so we should eat it. They didn t. Even though they were captive to the Babylonians, they still obeyed God s laws. What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God. 10

11 Option 2: Favorites Plate plastic plates, 1 per kid permanent markers Give each kid a plastic plate. Demonstrate how to draw a giant plus sign to divide the plate into four parts. Invite each kid to draw her favorite vegetable in one part and favorite fruit in one part. Then, encourage them to draw their favorite type of grain in one part. Remind the kids that grains can be breads, bagels, rolls, cereals, crackers, rice, or pasta. Last, they should draw their favorite protein in the final spot. Protein could be meats, fish, peanut butter, eggs, and so forth. Explain that a healthy plate would have a vegetable, fruit, grain, and a protein. Explain that dairy is also good to have, like yogurt, cheese, or a glass of milk. Say A healthy meal usually includes eating more than just vegetables, but God blessed Daniel and his friends because they were faithful to follow God s rules. What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God. Prayer and Clean-Up (5 minutes) Say It s time for one last check to see if you know the answer to the big picture question, What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God. If time remains, take prayer requests. Pray, thanking God for His faithfulness in sending Jesus to die for our sins. Pray for each child by name, asking God to help the kids be faithful to God no matter what situation they find themselves in. Clean-Up Room 11

12 Instructions: Find the four people who are eating vegetables. UNIT 19 Session 1 Younger Kids Activity Pages 2013 LifeWay Christian Resources LifeWay Daniel

13 Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God Daniel LifeWay Christian Resources.

14 Family Journal Page Daniel with only water to es bl ta ge ve t bu g in Prepare a meal of noth pe of meal for at least ty is th e at e bl Bi e th drink. Ask who in ea mily member to shar fa ch ea te vi In s. ar ye three straight tions. Share your kids reac sy ea t n as w ce ien ed time when ob below. Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God Daniel 1 Preschool Key Passage: Daniel 6:27 Big Picture Question: What did Daniel do when he was captured? Daniel obeyed God. Christ Connection: Daniel did what God told him to do. God helped Daniel and his friends. Daniel wasn t perfect, but he reminds us of someone who was. Jesus always did what God wanted Him to do. God is happy when we know and love Jesus. Kids Key Passage: Daniel 6:27 Big Picture Question: What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God. Christ Connection: Daniel chose to obey God no matter what. God blessed Daniel and his friends. Daniel wasn t perfect, but he reminds us of someone who was. Jesus obeyed God perfectly and He always pleases God. We please God when we trust in Jesus. UNIT 19 Session 1 OK TO PRINT

15 He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions. Daniel 6:27 OK TO PRINT Daniel