News

F-260 Daniel in the Den of Lions - Daniel 6:1-28  Under what conditions would you consider stepping into a lion’s cage?  What makes you envious of others?  What would you do if your right to pray in any public setting was legally taken away?  How did Darius rule his kingdom? (6:1-2)  Why did Daniel’s colleagues plot against him? (6:3-4)  How did the administrators and satraps plan to discredit Daniel? (6:5)  When the leaders went to the king, what did they say? (6:6-8)  How did Daniel respond to the king’s decree? (6:9-10)  Who found Daniel praying to God? (6:11)  Why was Daniel prosecuted? (6:12-15)  What was the king’s hope for Daniel? (6:16)  How was Daniel punished? (6:16-17)  What happened during the night? (6:19-22)  What did Daniel say to the king? (6:21-22)  Why did God protect Daniel? (6:23)  What happened to Daniel’s accusers and their families? (6:24)  What was the king’s pronouncement? (6:25-28)  If you were attending a public event at which you felt that your Christian values were being compromised, what would you do?  How do you forgive someone who has betrayed you?  When have you chosen to submit to God’s authority over you rather than obeying the laws of the land?  What qualities in Daniel do you most admire?  How do you feel toward God when innocent people are hurt or destroyed?  When have you seen the Lord do something surprising or miraculous?  How is the Lord your lifeline in difficult circumstances?  If you consistently show trust in the Lord, how do you think He will reward you?  What steps can you take to trust God to resolve whatever difficult circumstances you face?  How do you need God’s wisdom and help in forgiving someone who has betrayed you?  What can you do to become a stronger, more courageous Christian?

F-260 The Writing on the Wall - Daniel 5:1-31  What would constitute a perfect party for you?  What kinds of puzzles or riddles do you like to solve?  What are three of your best qualities?  What did King Belshazzar do? (5:1)  While drinking wine, what orders did Belshazzar give? (5:2-3)  To whom did the king and his court give praise? (5:4)  What happened while the people were feasting? (5:5)  How did the king react to the handwriting on the wall? (5:6-7)  What happened when the wise men came to the king? (5:8-9)  What was the queen’s counsel to Belshazzar? (5:10-12)  When Daniel was brought before the king, what did Belshazzar say to him? (5:13-16)  How did Daniel respond to the king’s words? (5:17)  In his reply to the king, what did Daniel say about God and His dealings with Nebuchadnezzar? (5:18-21)  How did Daniel confront Belshazzar’s pride? (5:22-24)  What did Daniel say about the judgment of God? (5:25-28)  How did the king reward Daniel for his words? (5:29)  How was Daniel’s revelation fulfilled? (5:30)  Who became the new ruler of Babylon? (5:31)  Why was Belshazzar proud?  What makes people proud nowadays?  What can we do to keep pride from clouding our perspective and respect for God?  How do you make festive and celebratory events part of your life?  What makes you fearful and anxious?  If you were struggling with a difficult personal problem, whose counsel would you seek? Why?  When someone asks for your opinion or advice, how honest are you in sharing what you think?  What strengths and gifts do you have that can be used to help God’s people?  When a leader in the church confronts us about sin in our life, how should we respond?  How does God and His judgment affect you?  How have you benefited from the lessons learned by others’ life experiences?  How can you begin this week to act on a piece of good advice you have recently been given?  What concrete action can you take to deal with an area of chronic sin in your life?  What do you want to remember the next time you are rebuked or criticized?

F-260 Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Tree - Daniel 4:1-37  What is a dream that you vividly remember?  What would you say if someone asked you to describe your accomplishments?  What does the term “temporary insanity” mean to you?  What were King Nebuchadnezzar’s opening comments in his public decree? (4:1-3)  Why did the king request a visit from the wise men? (4:4-6)  What did the wise men fail to do? (4:7)  Why did the king think that Daniel would be able to help him? (4:8-9)  What were the visions that the king related to Daniel? (4:10-18)  How did Daniel respond to the king’s dream? (4:19)  What was the meaning of the tree in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream? (4:20-26)  How did Daniel conclude his exhortation? (4:27)  What happened to the king twelve months after the dream? (4:28-33)  What happened at the end of the king’s illness? (4:34-37)  When was the last time you talked about your faith with an unbelieving neighbor or coworker?  How has God most recently revealed Himself to you?  If you had to share some bad news with a friend, how would you do it?  What unique image or symbol, like King Nebuchadnezzar’s tree, has great importance to you in your walk with God?  If someone in your family was diagnosed with a mental illness, how would you pray for him or her?  In what ways can our view of ourselves hinder our spiritual growth?  When have you ignored what you feel was a warning from God about specific sinful behavior?  What recent insight about God has given your faith a boost?  How is God blessing you right now?  What particular area of your life do you need to start giving over to God’s power and control?  To whom will you turn the next time you need wisdom from someone who knows and loves God?  What first step can you take to help someone you know who is in deep mental distress?  With what prayer do you want to submit every area of your life to God?

F-260 The Image of Gold and the Fiery Furnace - Daniel 3:1-30  If an artist were to sculpt a representation of you, what special instructions would you give him or her?  What spectacular fireworks display stands out in your memory?  If a fire were to start in your home, what would be your plan of action?  What did King Nebuchadnezzar make? (3:1)  Whom did he invite to the dedication ceremony? (3:2-3)  What were the people commanded to do? (3:4-5)  What warning did the herald give? (3:6)  What happened when the music began? (3:7)  Why did the astrologers complain to the king about the Jews? (3:12)  What did the king do about the complaint? (3:13-15)  How did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego respond to the king? (3:16-18)  What did the king order his men to do? (3:19-21)  What happened to the king’s soldiers? (3:22)  What happened to the three men? (3:23)  Why was the king amazed? (3:24-25)  What did the crowd observe when the men came out of the fire? (3:26-27)  How did the king respond to God’s deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? (3:28-30)  How are we tempted to glorify national symbols?  If someone in authority over you told you to do something wrong, how would you respond?  How do you distinguish God’s authority from those in authority around you?  If you had a great deal of power over others, how might you be tempted to abuse it?  What would make you confident or afraid if your safety were threatened because of your faith in God?  If God chose not to rescue you from intense personal suffering, how would this affect your faith?  In what area of your life is it most difficult for you to stand by your Christian beliefs?  How has hardship strengthened your walk with the Lord?  What are you willing to risk in order to obey God’s clear commands?  How can you help someone in your community of faith who is going through difficult circumstances?

F-260 Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream - Daniel 2:1-49  What has been your happiest dream or your strangest nightmare?  If you knew that our nation would come under the control of another world power within a week, what would you do?  What did Nebuchadnezzar do about his troubling dreams? (2:1-6)  What did the king expect from his wise men? (2:8-9)  Why was the task assigned by the king too difficult for the astrologers to do? (2:10-11)  What did the king decree? (2:12-13)  What was Daniel’s course of action in the face of the king’s order? (2:14-16)  What did Daniel and his friends ask of God in the midst of a desperate situation? (2:17-18)  How did Daniel respond to answered prayer? (2:19-23)  What transpired between Daniel and Arioch? (2:24-25)  What did Daniel say in response to the king’s question? (2:26-30)  What was the king’s dream? (2:31-35)  What was the interpretation of the dream? (2:36-45)  What did the king do in response to Daniel’s interpretation? (2:46-49)  How do you usually deal with unreasonable or demanding people?  When you become angry, how do you handle it?  What significance do your dreams have in the way you live your daily life?  How can we demonstrate in our life the importance of prayer?  When you clearly recognize God’s hand in your life, how do you need to respond to Him?  How does this passage show God’s involvement in the political process?  Why is it better to be wise than powerful?  How do you think Daniel felt when he was heaped with honors by the king?  How do you accept compliments and recognition?  How can your prayer life include an appropriate measure of praise and thanksgiving?  How can you trust God with an unreasonable or difficult person in your life?

F-260 Daniel’s Training in Babylon - Daniel 1:1-21  How many glasses of water do you usually drink each day?  What are your favorite healthy foods?  If you wanted to adopt a healthier eating plan for yourself, what foods would you give up or cut  back on and what foods would you eat more often?  When did Nebuchadnezzar go to Jerusalem? (1:1)  When the king came to Jerusalem, what happened? (1:1-2)  What were the characteristics of the captives? (1:3-4)  What did the king order Ashpenaz to do? (1:3-5)  What new names did the chief court official give four of the men? (1:7)  What was Daniel’s resolve? (1:8)  How did the chief official respond to Daniel’s request? (1:9-10)  What did Daniel say to the guard? (1:11-13)  What did the guard do about Daniel’s request? (1:14)  What was the result of the test? (1:15-16)  What did God give to the four men? (1:17)  In evaluating the four men at the end of their training, what did Nebuchadnezzar conclude concerning them? (1:18-20)  How long did Daniel remain in the king’s court? (1:21)  When have you taken a Christian stand in a non-Christian setting?  How do you think Daniel felt as he became steeped in Babylonian culture?  In what ways did Daniel’s commitment to God clash with the Babylonian culture?  In what ways do your Christian beliefs clash with the culture around you?  In what ways do your Christian beliefs affect your view of people of other cultures?  If you were a missionary overseas, what strengths and abilities would you bring to your calling?  How can food and drink affect your spiritual life?  How did Daniel demonstrate both flexibility and strength in an unfamiliar setting?  What sacrifices have you made that reflect your dedication to the Lord?  How would a non-Christian acquaintance describe you?  Starting this week, what is one change you can make in your personal habits to show commitment to the Lord?  In what setting do you want to remember to stand up for your Christian convictions?  What can you do this week to develop a God-given talent or strength for the sake of God’s kingdom?

F-260 Dry Bones, New Life - Ezekiel 37:1-28  When have you been separated from your loved ones for an extended period of time?  What is one of the most hopeless circumstances in which you’ve ever found yourself?  What strange sight was Ezekiel shown in a vision? (37:1-2)  What question did the Lord ask of Ezekiel, and how did he answer? (37:3)  What did God promise to do with the dry bones? (37:4-6)  What happened as Ezekiel began to prophesy to the bones, as God had commanded? (37:7-8)  How did the restored bodies begin to breathe again? (37:9-10)  What saying of the people had given rise to the image of “dry bones”? (37:11)  What did God explain to Ezekiel about the meaning of the vision of the valley of dry bones? (37:11-12)  What would God’s people know and receive when God acted in their behalf? (37:13-14)  What visual demonstration did God tell Ezekiel to do with two sticks? (37:15-17)  What good news was contained in Ezekiel’s symbolic action with two sticks? (37:18-22)  What sins would God cleanse in order to make Israel His people again? (37:23)  According to the prophecy, how was Israel’s relationship to God and God’s treatment of them going to change? (37:24-28)  What images come to mind about a nation of people symbolized by dry bones?  What did Ezekiel have to know about God in order to see potential in the dry bones?  What are some key features of the reign of “David” (the Messiah)?  Why is it desirable to have Jehovah God dwell (live) with us?  In what areas of your community do you see the need for reunification among individuals or groups?  What habits can you cultivate that will make you more likely to see hopeless situations from God’s perspective?  What division between people or nations can you make a matter of earnest prayer this week?

F-260 Prophecies to Edom and the Mountains of Israel - Ezekiel 35:1-36:38  What examples do you know of people who took advantage of someone else’s misfortune?  With what kinds of suffering do you find it difficult to empathize?  What did God promise to do to Mount Seir (Edom)? (35:1-4)  What had the Edomites done to anger God? (35:5-6)  What unrighteous attitudes formed the basis for God’s judgment of Edom? (35:11)  How did God intend to vindicate His name by turning the tables on Edom? (35:14-15)  How did God, through Ezekiel, show that He understood all that had happened to Israel at the hands of their enemies? (36:1-5)  What did God promise to do to Israel’s enemies in answer to their scorn? (36:6-7)  What changes did Ezekiel predict in the land of Israel? (36:8-12)  What did God’s people do while they were dwelling in the land to defile it and reap God’s judgment? (36:16-19)  How was God’s name slandered by the very judgment He visited on His people? (36:20-21)  For whose sake did God act to restore Israel and punish her enemies? (36:22-23)  What did God intend to prove to the other nations who had witnessed Israel’s punishment? (36:23)  Once God had gathered His people, what internal changes did He promise them? (36:24-28)  What calamities did God intend to reverse for Israel? (36:29-30)  How would God’s people feel about their past rebellion after He restored them? (36:31)  What message would the surrounding nations get from God’s restoration of Israel? (36:33-36)  What is good and bad about being “opportunistic”?  Why is it wrong to scorn those who suffer, even if they suffer for their own sins?  Why might the pagan nations have assumed that God didn’t hear their slander?  By scattering the people of Israel in exile in other countries, how did God jeopardize His good name?  What was God’s biggest reason for the dramatic reversal between the mountains (strength) of Israel and of Seir?  What does God know that we need (in addition to His material blessings) in order to serve Him faithfully?  What group of suffering people can you ask God to help you view from His perspective?  The next time you become aware of some conflict or disarray among God’s people that damages God’s name, what can you do to be God’s instrument of healing and wholeness?

F-260 Ezekiel’s Call and Warning to Israel - Ezekiel 2:1-3:27  What task have you had to perform even though it seemed unlikely to produce results?  What were some of the ways you manifested youthful rebellion?  How would you describe the longest period you have ever maintained silence?  What mission did God assign to the prophet Ezekiel? (2:3-5)  What images did God use to describe the reception Ezekiel was likely to get for his message? (2:6)  What warning did God give Ezekiel concerning his own behavior? (2:8)  What did God command Ezekiel to do with the scroll He presented to him? (2:8-9; 3:1-2)  How did the scroll taste to Ezekiel when he ate it? (3:3)  Who did God know would have been more receptive to His word than His own people? (3:5-7)  What did God promise to do for Ezekiel in the face of the stubbornness of the Jews? (3:8-9)  Where were the Jews to whom Ezekiel carried God’s message? (3:10-11)  What was Ezekiel’s experience of the glory of God when God had finished speaking to him? (3:12-13)  How did Ezekiel describe his state of mind after being commissioned by God? (3:14-15)  What was Ezekiel’s role in relation to Israel? (3:17)  How did God explain Ezekiel’s accountability for speaking God’s Word to a wicked man? (3:18-19)  Under what circumstances would Ezekiel be accountable for the death of a righteous person? (3:20-21)  What experience did Ezekiel have again after his seven days of mourning? (3:22-23)  How did God establish when Ezekiel was to speak or remain silent? (3:24-27)  In what ways could your church share God’s characterization of Israel as “obstinate” and “hardened”?  How does your concern for the reactions of others affect your desire to do what God wants?  What is most difficult about confronting someone about his or her faults?  Why do you suppose the scroll containing God’s words of “lament and mourning and woe” tasted good to Ezekiel?  What is the Christian’s responsibility with regard to unbelievers or believers who fall into sin?  Why was it appropriate for Ezekiel to follow the traditional actions of mourning?  Why is it important that God emphasizes the responsibility of individual choice?  What nagging area of rebellion can you ask God to change in you this week?  For what rebellious or unbelieving friend or neighbor can you begin to pray, looking for an opportunity to warn him or her of God’s righteous judgment and tell him or her of God’s mercy?

F-260 The Living Creatures and the Glory of the Lord - Ezekiel 1:1-28  What experience can you say has left you awestruck?  What is your favorite mythical creature? Why?  How old was Ezekiel and where was he living when he saw visions of God? (1:1)  How long had the people of Judah been in exile in Babylonia when Ezekiel had his vision? (1:2-3)  To what natural occurrence did Ezekiel liken what he saw coming toward him? (1:4)  What were the human and nonhuman features of the living beings Ezekiel described? (1:5-11)  How were the creatures positioned in relation to one another? (1:9-11)  What was remarkable about the way the creatures moved? (1:12)  To what did Ezekiel compare the light, or brightness, coming from the creatures? (1:13-14)  What unique characteristics did Ezekiel notice in the wheels that accompanied the creatures? (1:15-18)  Why would it not be accurate to say that the “wheels” were vehicles used by the creatures? (1:19-21)  How did Ezekiel describe the sound of the wings of the four creatures? (1: 24)  How did Ezekiel describe the person who spoke from the “expanse” above the creatures? (1:25-28)  What did Ezekiel realize he was seeing? (1:28)  How did Ezekiel respond when he saw the “likeness of the glory of the Lord”? (1:28)  What is notable about the fact that God was still speaking to His people through prophets although they were in a foreign land?  Why do you suppose Ezekiel thought it important to record his visions in such detail?  How would you respond to an opportunity to peer into the throne room of God from this side of the grave?  What spiritual benefit can we glean from other people’s visions of the glory of God?  What sorts of emotions would move a person to lie prostrate on the ground?  Why are you glad that you worship a God who is not the product of human hands?  What hymn or song based on Ezekiel’s vision could you commit to memory this week as a tool of worship?  In what secular association in your life (school, work, or community) can you be available and listening for what God might want to say to or through you?