Series: Thriving in Babylon
Topic: Part 3 — Playing the Long Game
Speaker: Geoff Surratt, Experience Pastor
Date: April 2, 2023
Deuteronomy 6:4-5
‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.’
Daniel 6:10 (NLT)
“But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.”
Daniel 6:19-23
“Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den. When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel answered, “Long live the king! My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.” The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.”
Daniel 6:26
“I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end.
Read Daniel 6 in its entirety as a group for further reading and study.
- Over the past three weeks we have been studying Daniel in our series, ‘Thriving in Babylon’. What are some big ideas and practical applications that have impacted you?
- We often find ourselves in similar situations to Daniel – unexpected changes, uncomfortable situations and expectations that lead us to difficult decisions. Have you had a ‘lions den’ experience either in a decision you had to make or the outcome not lining up how you thought it would?
- How can you stand firm and love well as Daniel did? Consider the areas of staying engaged, staying respectful, staying rooted and staying hopeful. Where are you strong in these and where can you grow?
Read Daniel 6:26 one more time – we know how the story ends…God prevails!