July 13, 2014 3rd - 5th Grade 9:30am
Leader BIBLE STUDY Use Week of: Nebuchadnezzar built a tall gold statue and issued a new law: When you hear music, you are to fall down and worship the statue. The penalty for defying this law was severe. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire (Dan. 3:6). 2 So when the music played, all the people bowed down and worshiped the gold statue. Well, almost everyone. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down and worship the statue. They loved and worshiped the one true God. Only He was worthy of their worship. The Book of says that the Chaldeans a group of astrologers and dream interpreters took this opportunity to go to the king and tell on Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. (Dan. 3:8,12) But not even the threat of death in a furnace of blazing fire could convince the three friends to renounce their loyalty to God. They boldly declared that God had the power to save them, and even if He chose not to, they would not worship the king s statue. Consider the possibilities. God could keep the friends from being thrown into the furnace. Or, once in the furnace, God could keep them from being harmed. And if they perished, God would receive them into heaven. Their trust in God enabled them to stand firm even as they were tied up and thrown into the fire. Then something miraculous happened. Nebuchadnezzar saw four men in the fire! They were walking around, unharmed! The Lord not only rescued Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, He was with them. King Nebuchadnezzar praised God and issued a decree forbidding anyone to say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. On the cross, people mocked Jesus: He saved others; He cannot save Himself! (Mark 15:31). Jesus was not physically unable to save Himself. He chose to do His Father s will. His love for sinners kept Him there. Jesus did not save Himself so that He could save others. Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 19 Session 2 1
Older Kids BIBLE STUDY OVERVIEW Session Title: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Bible Passage: 3 Big Picture Question: Who was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? God was with them in the fire. Key Passage: 6:27 Unit Christ Connection: Despite captivity, God used faithful people to continue His plan to provide salvation through Jesus Christ. U N I T 19 2 2
The BIBLE STORY Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego 3 Nebuchadnezzar (neb yoo kad NEZ uhr) was the king of Babylon. He did not worship God; he worshiped false gods. Nebuchadnezzar made a tall statue out of gold. It was about as tall as a nine-story building! The statue stood in Babylon where everyone could see it. King Nebuchadnezzar called for all of the important officials in Babylon to come and stand around the new statue. Then one of the king s heralds made an important announcement: When you hear the sound of music, you must fall down and worship this gold statue. Anyone who does not obey this rule will be thrown into a fiery furnace! The rule was for everyone in Babylon. So when the people heard the sound of music, they fell down and worshiped the gold statue like the king commanded. But not everyone bowed down and worshiped the statue. Three men from Judah who had been renamed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to a statue. Some men went to King Nebuchadnezzar to complain about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They did not like these men from Judah who did not obey their king. You have made a rule for all the people, they reminded the king. But some of the men from Judah do not bow down and worship your statue. This news made King Nebuchadnezzar angry! He called for the men. Shadrach! Meshach! Abednego! Come here! Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood before the king. He asked them, Is it true that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold statue I set up? If you do not bow down when you hear the music, I will throw you into a fiery furnace! Then what god could rescue you from my power? The three friends answered, King, we don t need to answer your question. If the God we serve exists, He can rescue us from the fiery furnace. He can save us from you. But even if God chooses not to rescue us, we won t serve your gods. And we won t bow down and worship the Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 19 Session 2 3
gold statue. King Nebuchadnezzar was angrier than ever! The furnace was already very hot, but King Nebuchadnezzar ordered his workers to make it seven times hotter! He told the strongest soldiers in his army to come and tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the fiery furnace. The furnace was so hot that the strong soldiers died when they threw in the three friends. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego fell into the furnace all tied up. Suddenly, King Nebuchadnezzar jumped to his feet. Didn t we tie up three men and throw them into the fire? Yes, King, his advisers said. Look! the king shouted. I see four men walking around in the fire. They aren t tied up, and they aren t hurt! The fourth man looks like an angel! Nebuchadnezzar quickly went to the door of the furnace. He called out, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego servants of the Most High God! Come here! So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire. The king and all his officials looked at them. They had not been hurt by the fire at all! Their bodies were not burned, their hair was not burned, and their robes were not burned. They didn t even smell like they had been near a fire! Nebuchadnezzar praised God. The God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego sent an angel and rescued His servants! They trusted in Him they were willing to die for Him and He saved them! King Nebuchadnezzar made a new law for all the people. Anyone who says anything against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego s God will be punished! No other god can save people like this! Then the king gave Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego even more important jobs in the kingdom of Babylon. Christ Connection: Only God could rescue Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fire. Jesus is the only One who can save us from our sin. Jesus sacrifice on the cross provided the way for us to be rescued and have eternal life. 4
Small Group OPENING Session Title: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Bible Passage: 3 Big Picture Question: Who was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? God was with them in the fire. Key Passage: 6:27 Unit Christ Connection: Despite captivity, God used faithful people to continue His plan to provide salvation through Jesus Christ. Welcome time Greet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. Ask kids to decide what the tallest building in your town or city is. How do they know it is the tallest? Mention that in today s Bible story, a tall item was built. It was 90 feet tall and 9 feet wide. 3 Code activity page, 1 per kid pencils LOW PREP newspaper or scrap paper masking tape Activity page (5 minutes) Assist girls and boys in completing the activity page 3 Code. When solved, the puzzle should reveal the word rescued. Say What does it mean to rescue someone or something? Today s Bible story is about a rescue. Who or what needed to be rescued? Why did they need to be rescued? Who was the rescuer? We will find all of the answers today! Session starter (10 minutes) Option 1: Statue contest Form teams. Challenge each team to build a statue that can stand on its own using only newspapers or scrap paper and Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 19 Session 2 5
masking tape. The tallest statue that can stand alone wins. Say Why do people build statues? People build statues for a lot of different reasons. Today, statues usually show respect to someone as a way to remember someone for something he did or for who he was. In our Bible story, a statue was built. But it wasn t built for a good reason. In the Bible, why were statues often built? They were often built for worshiping false idols. 6
Large Group LEADER Session Title: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Bible Passage: 3 Big Picture Question: Who was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? God was with them in the fire. Key Passage: 6:27 Unit Christ Connection: Despite captivity, God used faithful people to continue His plan to provide salvation through Jesus Christ. first aid kit Introduce the session (3 minutes) [Large Group Leader enters carrying a first aid kit.] Leader Good morning [evening]! Don t worry about this first aid kit. A couple of kids fell on the mountain bike trail this morning. They were wearing their helmets, so they only had a couple of scrapes to clean and bandage. They are already back on their bikes finishing the trail. Have any of you fallen off a bike or scooter before? Did it hurt? Did you get back on and ride again? Were you a little bit afraid you might fall off again? I have been afraid to get back on my bike after a fall. Being afraid is something each and every one of us experiences at some point during our lives. Have you ever been afraid to stand up and do the right thing, even when you knew everyone else wasn t going to do the right thing? Were you scared? Did God help you? God is always with His people when they choose to obey Him. That doesn t mean it is always easy to obey Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 19 Session 2 7
God. Our world is broken by sin. We are broken by sin. Obeying God isn t always easy because our world doesn t want to obey God. Timeline Map Timeline map (1 minute) Leader Our Bible story today is about three guys who faced a tough decision. They could obey God, or they could sin. Sounds simple, doesn t it? We know that obeying God is the right choice. Name a reason someone might have a hard time obeying God. Allow several kids to respond. Leader We know that there is no good excuse for disobeying God, but sometimes we have a hard time remembering that. On our timeline here you can see our Bible story from last week. Who was in our story and what happened? Select a kid or two to share. Leader What did do in captivity? remained faithful to God. Our Bible story for today took place in 3. wasn t in today s story, but his three friends were. Who remembers their names? Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach), and Azariah (Abednego). To keep from being confused, we are going to call the three friends by their new names. Big picture question (1 minute) Leader Our big picture for today is, Who was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? Now, if you have heard this Bible story before, listen quietly because some of your friends may be hearing it for the first time. You don t want them to miss something important. Are you ready to find our big picture answer in the Bible? Good. Who was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? 8
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego video Bibles, 1 per kid Bible Story Picture Slide or Poster Big Picture Question Slide or Poster Tip: A Bible story script is provided at the beginning of every session. You may use it to guide you as you prepare to teach the Bible story in your own words. Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) Open your Bible to 3 and tell the Bible story in your own words, or show the Bible story video Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Leader Why did Nebuchadnezzar want the people to bow down to the statue? Why did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to bow down and worship the statue? Right. God had commanded people to only worship Him. He is the one true God. Nebuchadnezzar did not believe God was the one true God. He believed that the gods he worshiped were powerful. Were Nebuchadnezzar s gods powerful? Nope. They were false gods. Only God is all-powerful. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were willing to follow God no matter what. Did you catch what they told Nebuchadnezzar about God? They told the king that God was powerful enough to save them from the fire. God was more powerful than Nebuchadnezzar. They also said that even if God did not save them from the fire, they still would not disobey God. Did God rescue them from the fiery furnace? Yes! God protected them. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fiery furnace, they had not been burned at all. Their clothes weren t burned. They didn t smell like the fire. They were unharmed. We know what a great miracle this was because the Bible says that the men who threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the fire died by standing too close to the fire. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego weren t close to the fire, they were actually in the fire. Yet, they were rescued by God! King Nebuchadnezzar understood that God is powerful. More powerful than anything he believed in. Who remembers our big picture question? Who was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? God Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 19 Session 2 9
was with them in the fire. Who could rescue Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? God could rescue them, and He did. Who can rescue us? We have a much greater problem sin. Sin separates us from God. Who can rescue us from our sin? Jesus. When Jesus died on the cross, He provided the way for us to be rescued from sin and have eternal life with God. The Gospel: God s Plan for Me (optional) Using Scripture and the guide provided, explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Tell kids how they can respond, and provide counselors to speak with each kid individually. Guide counselors to use open-ended questions to allow kids to determine the direction of the conversation. Key Passage Slide or Poster He Rescues and Delivers song Key passage (5 minutes) Leader Who rescued Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? God did. Our key passage tells us that God rescues and delivers. Do I have any volunteers who would like to say the key passage from memory? Allow two or three kids to try. Prompt them as needed and affirm their hard work. Leader OK. Everyone read the key passage with me. Then I will choose a couple of volunteers to lead us in singing our key passage song. Lead boys and girls to read the key passage. Select a couple of kids to lead the group to sing He Rescues and Delivers. 10
Prayer (2 minutes) Leader Wow! What an amazing Bible story we heard today! It was full of adventure. It was full of suspense. Who was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? God was with them in the fire. God is always with His people. He sent Jesus to rescue us from sin. When we repent and trust in Jesus, God promises to never leave us. What an amazing God. Let s give God a standing ovation. When I count to three, begin clapping. When I hold my hand up in the air, stop clapping. One. Two. Three. Allow kids to clap for a few moments before holding up your hand. Leader Thank You, God! Bow your heads and join me as I close our time together by praying. Close in prayer. Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 19 Session 2 11
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. 12
Small Group LEADER Session Title: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Bible Passage: 3 Big Picture Question: Who was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? God was with them in the fire. Key Passage: 6:27 Unit Christ Connection: Despite captivity, God used faithful people to continue His plan to provide salvation through Jesus Christ. Key Passage Poster paper plates markers Bibles, 1 per kid Small Group Visual Pack Option: Retell or review the Bible story using the bolded text of the Bible story script. Key passage activity (5 minutes) Encourage each kid to draw the outline of a flame or fire on her paper plate. Instruct her to write the key passage inside the flame. Challenge kids to say the first 10 words of the key passage from memory. When all the kids have completed the task, allow them to compete to see who can toss their paper plate the farthest. Say Why did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to obey the king? Name one sign or wonder that God has performed. Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes) Read 3:13-15 to the kids. Ask the group to read 3:16-18 together. Say How committed to God were the three Hebrew men? Did you notice their response in verse 18? They said that even if God did not save them, they wanted the king to understand that they would not worship him. No matter what, they were going to worship only the one true God. Even if it meant they would die, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not worship a false god. What do you think about their Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 19 Session 2 13
Tip: You may want to draw out this discussion with preteens by discussing missionaries today who face tough decisions to follow God in hostile environments. LOW PREP The Gospel Plan box, tongs, paper, markers, 3 beanbags, 1 set per team decision? Agree? Disagree? Easy? Hard? Could you make the same decision? Who was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? God was with them in the fire. Who is the only One who can save us from our sin? (Jesus is the only One who can save us from our sin. Jesus sacrifice on the cross provided the way for us to be rescued and have eternal life.) If you choose to review with boys and girls how to become a Christian, explain that kids are welcome to speak with you or another teacher if they have questions. God rules. God created and is in charge of everything. (Gen. 1:1; Rev. 4:11; Col. 1:16-17) We sinned. Since Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Rom. 3:23; 6:23) God provided. God sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. (John 3:16; Eph. 2:8-9) Jesus gives. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again so we can be welcomed into God s family. (Rom. 5:8; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 3:18) We respond. Believe that Jesus alone saves you. Repent. Tell God that your faith is in Jesus. (Rom. 10:9-10,13) Activity choice (10 minutes) Option 1: Review relay Form teams and challenge each team to complete the following relay. 1. Toss three beanbags into the fiery furnace (box). After each beanbag lands in the box, kids need to say the name of one of the men tossed into the 14
fiery furnace. 2. Remove the beanbags from the furnace using a pair of tongs. As they remove the beanbags, kids must read the big picture question and answer. 3. Draw a picture of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from today s Bible story. 4. The entire team must shout Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! Form new teams and play again as time allows. Say How many men did Nebuchadnezzar see inside the fiery furnace? Who was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? God was with them in the fire. Review the gospel using the poster. Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 19 Session 2 15
Instructions: Fill in the names to reveal a word that is important to today s Bible story. Clues: 1. He did not want to let the Israelites leave Egypt. 2. He anointed Saul and David. 3. He repaired the temple when he was king. 4. He was a twin who was not always honest. 5. He led the Israelites in conquering the promised land. 6. He challenged the false prophets on Mount Carmel. 7. He was the first person God created. UNIT 19 Session 2 Older Kids Activity Pages
Instructions: Match the name of the fear to the picture reflecting the fear. achluophobia acrophobia arachnophobia astraphobia aviophobia coulrophobia ornithophobia ophidiophobia cynophobia God can rescue His people from anything! Think about whether or not something scares you. Remember that God is always with His people just like He was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. UNIT 19 Session 2 Older Kids Activity Pages
He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved from the power of the lions. 6:27 Unit 19 Key Passage Poster (ESV) OK TO PRINT
Who was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? God was with them in the fire. Unit 19 Session 2 Big Picture Question OK TO PRINT
Unit 19 Session 2 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego OK TO PRINT