ACT FAITHFULLY SESSION 6. The Point. The Passage. The Bible Meets Life

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Philomena Rich
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1 SESSION 6 ACT FAITHFULLY The Point God is greater than those who oppose you. The Passage Daniel 6:6-10,13-16,19-22 The Bible Meets Life Habits. We ve all got them. Some are bad, many are good, and some are just eccentric. For example: > > The Greek orator Demosthenes shaved off half his hair when writing. Making himself look ridiculous kept him from leaving the house until he finished his work. > > The Russian composer Tchaikovsky walked every day for exactly two hours. Not a minute more or less. > > Friedrich Schiller, a German poet and historian, would only write if the smell of rotten apples was around him. We all know bad habits are bad for us. But who ever heard of a good habit getting someone in trouble? That s exactly what happened to Daniel near the end of his life. Daniel had a great habit praying daily to God. We can learn much from what happened when others tried to turn his faith against him. The Setting The Babylonian empire exited with the conclusion of chapter 5 (session 5), replaced by the empire of the Medes and Persians in 539 B.C. An exact date for the events of Daniel 6 can t be determined, but they probably took place within two to three years of the transition, at which time Daniel would have been beyond the age of 80. Government officials, jealous of Daniel, tricked Darius the Mede into decreeing a month-long moratorium on offering prayer to anyone other than him. As a servant of God, Daniel would not comply. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 135

2 What does the Bible say? Law of Medes and Persians (v. 8) A legal statute that was binding and could not be altered. Daniel 6:6-10,13-16, So the administrators and satraps went together to the king and said to him, May King Darius live forever. 7 All the administrators of the kingdom, the prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors have agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an edict that for 30 days, anyone who petitions any god or man except you, the king, will be thrown into the lions den. 8 Therefore, Your Majesty, establish the edict and sign the document so that, as a law of the Medes and Persians, it is irrevocable and cannot be changed. 9 So King Darius signed the document. 10 When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 13 Then they replied to the king, Daniel, one of the Judean exiles, has ignored you, the king, and the edict you signed, for he prays three times a day. 14 As soon as the king heard this, he was very displeased; he set his mind on rescuing Daniel and made every effort until sundown to deliver him. 15 Then these men went to the king and said to him, You as king know it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no edict or ordinance the king establishes can be changed. 16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions den. The king said to Daniel, May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you! 19 At the first light of dawn the king got up and hurried to the lions den. 20 When he reached the den, he cried out in anguish to Daniel. Daniel, servant of the living God, the king said, has your God whom you serve continually been able to rescue you from the lions? 21 Then Daniel spoke with the king: May the king live forever. 22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions mouths. They haven t hurt me, or I was found innocent before Him. Also, I have not committed a crime against you my king. 136 SeSSion 6

THE POINT God is greater than those who oppose you. GET INTO THE STUDY 10 minutes DISCUSS: Question #1 on page 107 of the PSG: What are some habits or routines you never change?

3 THE POINT God is greater than those who oppose you. GET INTO THE STUDY 10 minutes DISCUSS: Question #1 on page 107 of the PSG: What are some habits or routines you never change? Notes Note: Remind group members that this question is meant to be informal. You are not asking exclusively about spiritual habits or routines. GUIDE: Direct group members to The Bible Meets Life on page 108 of the PSG. Introduce the theme of Daniel s habitual prayer by reading or summarizing the text or by encouraging group members to read on their own. GUIDE: Call attention to The Point at the top of page 108 of the PSG: God is greater than those who oppose you. ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): Use an object lesson to reinforce the theme of opposition by bringing two or more magnets to the group gathering. Show group members how pressing two magnets together creates a force of resistance that keeps them apart. Pass the magnets around so that each person can experience this opposition in a safe and secure way. Note: Remember that magnets will attract each other when opposite poles (sides) are put together. They repel each other when the same poles come together. Therefore, this activity will work best if you can find two similar magnets that each have only one side exposed. PRAY: Transition into the Scripture discussion by proclaiming the greatness of God. Praise His mighty Name and His sovereignty in all things. Ask for His blessing as you conclude this study on the Book of Daniel. TIP: Be sensitive to group members who may not understand churchy words. Keep language simple and direct. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 137

4 5 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes Daniel 6: So the administrators and satraps went together to the king and said to him, May King Darius live forever. 7 All the administrators of the kingdom, the prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors have agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an edict that for 30 days, anyone who petitions any god or man except you, the king, will be thrown into the lions den. 8 Therefore, Your Majesty, establish the edict and sign the document so that, as a law of the Medes and Persians, it is irrevocable and cannot be changed. 9 So King Darius signed the document. 10 When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before. RECAP: Set the context for this passage by reading the first paragraph on page 110 of the PSG: It doesn t matter how good some people have it if they think someone else has it better, they just can t be happy. That was the case with some of the administrators and satraps who served under Darius the Mede. Daniel was one of three such administrators, but he had distinguished himself above the administrators and satraps because he had an extraordinary spirit, so the king planned to set him over the whole realm (Dan. 6:3). READ: Daniel 6:6-10 on page 109 of the PSG. Read the text out loud or ask a volunteer to do so. ALTERNATE QUESTION: What are some parallels between Daniel s situation and our culture today? 138 SeSSion 6 GUIDE: Use the second and third paragraphs on page 139 of this Leader Guide to explain the key features of the edit signed by Darius. DISCUSS: Question #2 on page 110 of the PSG: How do you measure whether doing the right thing is worth the cost? TRANSITION: As we ll continue with the story in verses 13-16, we ll see things get worse for Daniel before they get better.

5 THE POINT God is greater than those who oppose you. Daniel 6:6-10 Commentary Following Belshazzar s death the Medo-Persian Empire conquered Babylonia, and Darius the Mede emerged as the new king of a huge empire (see 5:30-31). The exact identity of Darius has long been debated, but it s likely that Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Persian are the same person. To administrate the new empire, Darius appointed 120 satraps, or protectors of the kingdom. These satraps served in the higher levels of the Persian government. Three administrators (see 6:2) served directly below Darius and above the satraps. Daniel was one of these administrators. His administrative abilities, trustworthiness, and wisdom made the other administrators and satraps jealous (see v. 3). [Verses 6-7] Those who conspired against Daniel went together to the king. They claimed to speak on behalf of all the kingdom s officials. Most of those officials would have been scattered across the empire in their places of responsibility. Most likely, they did not know about the plot against Daniel, much less agree to it. The conspirators proposed a new law requiring all petitions to any god or man be directed through Darius. The law did not intend to make Darius a god; only to make him the sole intercessor between all the peoples and gods in his empire. For 30 days Darius would replace priests in their roles as intercessors. All prayers would have to be offered through Darius, something his accusers knew Daniel would never condone. Anyone who broke the law faced the horrible death of being thrown into the lions den. Den likely referred to the type of pit used for an underground cistern. Such a pit could function to hold water, prisoners (see Jer. 38:6), or wild animals. [Verses 8-9] Daniel s accusers implored Darius to establish the edict and sign the document so that it could not be revoked. A law of the Medes and Persians, once signed by a Persian king, could not be revoked (see Esth. 8:8). Not knowing the intent of the law, Darius signed the document. Darius may have understood the law as a test of loyalty to him or as a means of promoting unity in the empire. If all his subjects would recognize his sovereignty, the kingdom could thrive and flourish. [Verse 10] Once Daniel heard about the law, he undoubtedly knew it specifically targeted him. Aware of the penalty for disobeying the law, Daniel chose to obey God instead. Several features of Daniel s prayer life stand out. First, his posture was one of surrender. He got down on his knees. Second, he prayed toward Jerusalem. The practice of facing in the direction of Jerusalem for prayer underscored Solomon s petition during the dedication of the temple (see 1 Kings 8:35,38,44,48). The exiled Jews no longer had a temple. Their beloved city lay in ruins. Nevertheless, they could still remember God s instruction and engage in prayer. Third, Daniel prayed regularly three times a day. Most likely he prayed at morning, noon, and at evening. Daniel was disciplined in his prayer practice. Fourth, Daniel s prayer life was marked by gratitude. He gave thanks to his God just as he had done before. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 139

6 20 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes Daniel 6: Then they replied to the king, Daniel, one of the Judean exiles, has ignored you, the king, and the edict you signed, for he prays three times a day. 14 As soon as the king heard this, he was very displeased; he set his mind on rescuing Daniel and made every effort until sundown to deliver him. 15 Then these men went to the king and said to him, You as king know it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no edict or ordinance the king establishes can be changed. 16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions den. The king said to Daniel, May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you! DO: Direct group members to complete the activity No Compromise on page 111 of the PSG. The song No Compromise, by Peter Furler, is an expression of Daniel s story in Babylon. Listen to the song online and use the space below to record any areas of life in which you are tempted to compromise your relationship with God. READ: Daniel 3:13-16 on page 109 of the PSG. DISCUSS: Question #3 on page 112 of the PSG: What are some consequences of being faithful to God in today s culture? ALTERNATE QUESTION: What can we learn about persecution from this passage? Note: These two questions are designed to allow group members to ease into the topic of opposition. They can begin with Question #3 by speaking generally about the consequences of following God for all Christians. Then, the focus shifts to their own personal experiences in Question #4. DISCUSS: Question #4 on page 112 of the PSG: When have you experienced tension between your faith and your culture? TRANSITION: As we conclude with verses 19-22, we ll see a powerful picture of both Daniel s faithfulness and God s greatness above all things. 140 SeSSion 6

7 THE POINT God is greater than those who oppose you. Daniel 6:13-16 Commentary [Verse 13] Daniel s opponents shrewdly approached the king with a question for which they already knew the answer (see v. 12). They reminded Darius about his decree and the penalty for those who disregarded it. When Darius stated that his Medo-Persian law was irrevocable, they introduced Daniel as the violator. Notice the way they described Daniel and observe how they expressed Daniel s activity as an offense toward the king. Daniel was described as one of the Judean exiles. This same slur was used by Belshazzar to refer to Daniel. This may indicate that the accusers were a remnant of Babylonian officials who had long nursed a grudge against Daniel (see 5:13). He was a beacon of moral light in contrast to their darkness and corruption. Furthermore, Daniel s opponents phrased his violation deliberately to arouse the king. They told the king, Daniel has ignored you and the edict you signed. [Verse 14] Normally, if an emperor heard that a person had ignored him and his authority, the outrage would lead to a swift execution. Darius, however, immediately realized that he had been duped. He saw the trap for what it was: a malicious attempt to destroy Daniel. Consequently, he set his mind on rescuing Daniel. Darius s reaction spoke loudly about his character as well as Daniel s integrity. The king wanted to find a way around the legalism that bound him. Apparently, he knew Daniel to be a man of honor but he also knew that the law obligated him to fulfill his oath against Daniel. [Verses 15-16] After exhausting all legal efforts to help Daniel, King Darius gave the order for Daniel to be thrown into the lions den. As Daniel was led into the enclosure that held the lions, Darius spoke sympathetically to him and exclaimed, May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you! Does it seem odd to you that a pagan emperor would utter a prayerful statement of hope? Daniel had probably testified to Darius about the mercy and majesty of the Most High God. Once Daniel was in the den with the hungry lions, a stone was placed over the entrance. To ensure that no one tampered with the opening, the king and his officials made their personal marks by pressing their rings into the soft clay chains attached to the stone. Once the clay hardened, the chains could not be removed without breaking the seals. If someone were to enter or exit the pit, it would be evident by the broken seals. This official act could not be legally undone by anyone. The king himself became a prisoner of conscience. He went to his palace and spent the night fasting. No diversions were brought to him, and he could not sleep (v. 18). BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 141

8 5 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes Daniel 6: At the first light of dawn the king got up and hurried to the lions den. 20 When he reached the den, he cried out in anguish to Daniel. Daniel, servant of the living God, the king said, has your God whom you serve continually been able to rescue you from the lions? 21 Then Daniel spoke with the king: May the king live forever. 22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions mouths. They haven t hurt me, for I was found innocent before Him. Also, I have not committed a crime against you my king. READ: Daniel 6:19-22 on page 109 of the PSG. RECAP: Highlight the final two paragraphs on page 113 of the PSG: We serve a God who provides for us and protects us. History has shown us that not every follower of Jesus Christ has been rescued from death like Daniel was. But every martyr would affirm that many fates are worse than physical death. God may rescue you when you are persecuted or He may not. Death does not alter eternity for the believer (see Rom. 8:37-39). When we live under the lordship of Jesus, we glorify Him though our obedience. Even in the midst of persecution, we can t go wrong by doing what s right! ALTERNATE QUESTION: What have you learned about impacting your world during these studies from the Book of Daniel? DISCUSS: Question #5 on page 113 of the PSG: How can our lives express confidence that God is greater than those who oppose us? Note: Encourage group members to answer this question by exploring smaller, everyday options for expressing confidence in God as well as larger and bolder actions. GUIDE: Refer back to The Point of this session: God is greater than those who oppose you. If time permits, encourage volunteers to share any final thoughts or questions. 142 SeSSion 6

9 THE POINT God is greater than those who oppose you. Daniel 6:19-22 Commentary We have the advantage of knowing how the story ends. Daniel didn t know the ending as he approached the pit of lions. We often look at heroes of the faith without realizing that they didn t consider themselves heroes at the time. We can be encouraged, however, because God uses ordinary believers to accomplish His purpose in ways we may not comprehend until He reveals it in heaven. [Verses 19-20] King Darius could hardly wait for the first light of dawn. The description of him hurrying to the lion s den is full of intensity. The king made haste because he hoped that there was a possibility Daniel survived. He cried out in anguish to Daniel, addressing him as servant of the living God. He asked, has your God whom you serve continually been able to rescue you from the lions? Darius didn t believe in the living God, but he believed that Daniel did. He longed to know if God had been able to rescue Daniel from the lions. [Verse 21] Daniel s reply gave the king assurance and it also gave him a testimony about the power of God. Daniel affirmed he was alive and still loyal to Darius. He spoke respectfully to the king, May the king live forever, and proclaimed his own innocence. [Verse 22] Daniel declared God had sent His angel and shut the lions mouths. As God had sent an angel to protect Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace (see 3:28), so He sent an angel to protect Daniel in the lions den. Daniel also told Darius why God had saved him: because Daniel had committed no crime against God or against the king. God had found Daniel innocent and saved him from unjust punishment. Darius immediately had Daniel pulled from the den. We can t extract from this narrative that acting faithfully always turns out wonderfully. Many titans of faith have remained steadfast to the Lord despite persecution and death. Many of those who were not granted a special deliverance have demonstrated as much faith as those who were delivered. What matters most is not the quantity of faith we have regarding deliverance, but the quality of faith we have in the Deliverer. God rules. He is in charge. Our responsibility is to love and follow Him regardless of the dangers and risks. After all, the greatest reward is beyond this world. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 143

10 5 minutes LIVE IT OUT Notes GUIDE: Direct group members to page 114 of the PSG. Encourage them to consider the following suggestions for intentionally living in light of God s greatness: > > Be faithful. Pray at the beginning of each day, asking God to help you be faithful to Him in your work, in your interactions with others, and in the challenges you face. > > Be involved. Get more involved in ministry and service to others. Just as Daniel didn t let either age or opposition keep him from his work or his walk with God, choose to help others discover and walk with Jesus. > > Be bold. When you encounter hostility to the name and work of Christ, don t back down. Let your faith in Christ remain on display, but do so in a way that both honors Jesus and respects others. Wrap It Up TRANSITION: Read or restate the conclusion from page 114 of the PSG: Faith in Jesus is much more than a good habit it s the key to serving God in all circumstances. Hold on to that key, because God is and always will be greater than any who oppose you. PRAY: Conclude the discussion by thanking God for the opportunity to engage His Word throughout this study of Daniel. Affirm your desire to live as a game changer in His service and for His glory. 144 SeSSion 6

The Bible Meets Life

The Point God is greater than those who oppose you. The Passage Daniel 6:6-10,13-16,19-22 The Bible Meets Life Habits. We ve all got them. Some habits are bad, many are good, and some are just eccentric.