Daniel in the Lion’s Den

Week 3: Daniel in the Lion’s Den 

To view the Leader Guide for this week, click here.

To view a .docx version of this guide, click here.

Introduction

Last week we talked about Daniel interpreting the dreams of the Babylonians king Nebuchadnezzar, focusing on how we can represent God well by faithfully trusting him.  

Take some time to discuss how you put God first in your life and praised him for the good things in your life this week? 

After your time of connecting, begin your meeting with prayer.  

Connect  

  • What are some strong commitments you have in your life? Why are these important to you? 
  • When have you felt like an outsider in your life? What has helped you overcome that feeling? 
  • Has anyone ever reacted with jealousy towards you because you did a good job? Have you done this to others? 
    • What happened and what was the result of this situation? 

Opening Thought 

Living a faithful life with God is not an easy thing. Most times it is an unpopular thing and sometimes we may go through trials and difficulties because we choose God over ourselves and the things of this world. This can be hard to go through, but we can know that despite the hardships we may experience, God will be faithful to guide us through it, no matter the outcome. 

This leads us to our main idea for this week:  

Main idea for the week
We should faithfully trust God in our trials

The Story so Far

During the Babylonian Exile, when the wise and promising young people in Jerusalem were exiled from their land, Daniel and his friends were among them. When they arrived in Babylon, the king was impressed by Daniel and his friends’ faith and wisdom, promoting them to high positions of authority. Eventually, this resulted in Daniel being made the third highest ruler in Babylon. 

Here’s where we are this week

After living and being respected in Babylon for a while, another nation called the Medo-Persians conquered the area. The Medo-Persian king, Darius, is also impressed by Daniel’s wisdom and character, promoting him and two other people to be administrators over the nation. Daniel proves himself to be more capable at the task and is seen more favorably by Darius, causing the other administrators to become jealous and plan against Daniel.  

Unpack 

Read each set of verses out loud as a group, making observations as you go. Afterward discuss each of the connected questions before moving to the next set of verses: 

Read  

Daniel 6:1-9 

Unpack 

  • Why does Daniel’s integrity and trustworthiness make him a target in this chapter?  
    • Have you had any experience with being seen negatively because you try to live with integrity? How did you react to being thought of poorly?  
  • Why do you think the other officials reacted so strongly to Daniel doing well?  
    • What are some ways we can intentionally try to view the victories of others in a way that is positive and not threatening to us? 

Read  

Daniel 6:10-18 

Unpack 

  • Verse 10 in these verses say that Daniel “knelt down as usual” and “prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.” 
    • What does this show about Daniel’s reaction to Darius’ law being signed? Why is this reaction significant? 
      • What is your common reaction to stressful situations? 
  • What do you think these verses say about how we should handle going through trials?  

Read  

Daniel 6:19-28 

Unpack 

  • Why do you think Daniel honors King Darius first when speaking from the lion’s den?
    • Why is it important that Daniel tells the king that he hasn’t done any harm to Darius? 
  • Why is it significant that Darius honored God? 
    • How does Daniel’s faith influence those around him, particularly King Darius? What does King Darius’s response to Daniel’s situation tell you about his character and his feelings toward Daniel? 
      • How do you think you could be as influential as Daniel to those around you that do not follow Jesus?  
      • What can you do to make this happen in your daily life? 
  • Why do you think God protected Daniel in the lion’s den?  
    • How often do you genuinely trust God to protect you when you are going through a difficult challenge? 
    • How can you use Daniel’s example to respond when your faith is challenged? 
  • How can this story inspire us to still be faithful to God despite any pressures we might feel from the world around us?  

Apply 

Based on the verses we just read, there are some things that we can do in response. Take a moment to discuss these questions as a group to decide what your personal action steps for the week can be: 

  • What is one normal routine of faithfulness to God you will start or further commit to in your everyday life that won’t be affected by the world around you? 
  • How will you be a strong example of God’s love and goodness to the people you interact with this week? 
  • How will this group help each other accomplish consistently stay accountable to these goals? 

Closing

Read the first section to your group, then read the verse out loud to the group, and finally, move to the Prayer and Verses section: 

When we go through trials, especially when they are because we are trying to follow God, it can be easy to fall out of rhythm with God. We can think that maybe God isn’t paying attention to our lives. God, however, calls us to continue in our faithfulness to him during these trials so he can show himself to those around you through your situations.  

Prayer and Verses 

Ask for prayer requests and conclude your time with prayer then share the Key Verse for the Week and Daily Devotional Verses with the group. 

Thematic Reflection Verse for the Week 

*Read this verse, then encourage the practice of memorization through the week. 

Psalm 9:10 

“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.” 

**When practiced consistently, memorizing Bible verses can be an important spiritual practice that centers your mind around the truth that God has given us. 

Daily Devotional Verses  

Use the S.O.A.P. method to reflect on the verses below. 

Scripture: Read the verses several times. Reading out loud can be helpful as well. 
Observation: What can you see about the scripture you read? 
Application: What is God wanting you to believe, do, or feel, based on what you have read? 
Prayer: This is a chance to talk to God about what you have read and ask him for help in living out what you’ve learned. 

Day 1: Psalm 118:8 

Day 2: Psalm 37:5 

Day 3: Exodus 14:14 

Day 4: Psalm 143:8 

Day 5: Jeremiah 17:7 

Day 6: Psalm 27:14 

info@journeyoffaith.com

(424) 327-6500

1243 Artesia Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Facebook Instagram Youtube Shield-alt

PAUL & HOLLY ZWIERZYNSKI

  • Translating the Bible Support
  • North Carolina

Paul and Holly Zwierzynski serve at the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, North Carolina, where they support Bible translation efforts around the world. Paul specializes in solar power and computer networking. He helps missionaries use low-power computers in remote areas and sets up reliable internet connections using tools like satellite and radio links. His work has supported over 180 field sites, allowing translation teams to collaborate across long distances. Holly works in the translation office as a project assistant. She helps develop Old Testament translation guides and reference materials used by Bible translators worldwide. Before moving to North Carolina, Paul and Holly served in Cameroon, where their passion for this work first began.

JERRY & BETH TUCKER

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Southern California

Jerry and Beth help prepare new missionaries for the field by leading orientation, providing training, building teams, and offering mentorship during the first year of overseas service. They serve with Wycliffe, a Bible translation organization, and bring years of experience to this important work. Their work began in 1995 in the Philippines, where they served as dorm parents and teachers. Both Jerry and Beth grew up at Journey of Faith, and the church has been supporting their ministry for 30 years. They remain committed to serving for many years to come.

TOM SHECK

  • Youth Development
  • South Bay

 Tom serves as the South Bay Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His goal is to see lives changed through the influence of athletes and coaches on middle school and high school campuses. FCA focuses on values like integrity, serving, teamwork, and excellence. The ministry equips students and coaches to grow in their faith and lead others by starting small group gatherings on campus, known as “Huddles.” These groups become places of encouragement, leadership, and spiritual growth within the school community.

CODY & LEXI SCRIVENS

  • Meeting Community and Church Needs
  • Dublin, Ireland

 Cody and Lexie are serving in Ireland, partnering with a local church to build relationships and share the message of Jesus. Their work takes place in a culture shaped by both deep religious tradition and growing secularism. Navigating this tension is challenging, especially in light of Ireland’s complex religious history, but they remain committed to reaching people who often feel distant from faith.

BRYAN & JACINDA MARTIN

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Philippines

 The Martin family is planting churches in the Philippines through World Team. One of the key ways they serve is by caring for creation. They work with vulnerable communities that are struggling as natural resources become scarce. By teaching sustainable practices for managing the environment, they help meet practical needs while also creating space to share about God’s design for humanity and introduce people to the Creator.

BARBARA LEE

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • San Diego, CA

Barbara supports missionary families by helping their children access quality education and navigate the many transitions that come with cross-cultural life. She currently leads the Indonesia MK (Missionary Kid) Care and Education Team, providing guidance, resources, and support for families across the region. In late 2025, she will join the U.S.-based MK Care and Education Team, where she will train new missionaries, equip education consultants, offer academic testing, and provide personalized educational help for families preparing to serve.

K & L

  • Starting New Churches
  • Southeast Asia

L and K are working to start churches among ten large, unreached, and unengaged people groups in Southeast Asia. They also lead a growing team that has expanded from 11 to 22 units since the pandemic, increasing their reach and impact in the region.

TIM & ERICKA HARRIS

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Oregon

 Tim and Ericka Harris understand the preparation, training, and lifelong commitment it takes to serve in missions. Their work has included cross-cultural ministry throughout Latin America, including eight years living and serving in Costa Rica with their family. Out of a desire to support those serving in demanding ministry roles, they provide pastoral care to missionaries, pastors, and ministry leaders around the world. Through their R.E.S.T. initiative—Retreat, Encouragement, Safety, and Transformation—they offer spaces for leaders on every major continent to step away, recharge, and return to their work with renewed strength and clarity.

MARK & BRENDA HALL

  • Starting New Churches
  • Guadalajara, Mexico

Mark and Brenda Hall moved to Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2018, where Mark now serves as a teaching pastor at English Fellowship. The church brings together people from different cultures, backgrounds, and denominations, serving both international residents and Mexican nationals living in the city for work. Although their focus is now in Mexico, they remain connected to their previous work in Guatemala, where they spent 18 years investing in the lives of young people. Their move to Guadalajara opens new doors to build relationships, support the local community, and share the message of Jesus in meaningful and relevant ways.

RICH FRAZER

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • Nepal and North India

The Fraziers serve with an organization called SOS, which stands for Spiritual Overseers Service International. Rick serves as the president and helps lead the organization’s three core objectives. The first is evangelism, which focuses on spreading the message of Jesus. The second is discipleship, aimed at strengthening the global Church. And the third is compassion, which means meeting the physical and spiritual needs of fellow believers. The Fraziers train Christian leaders and partner with Tabernacle Ministries in Nepal and North India. Through this work, SOS is mentoring more than 100 leaders who are reaching urban migrants with God’s love.

MARK & LISA DENEUI

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • France

 Mark is a Bible teacher focused on the New Testament who trains church leaders and church planters in French-speaking Europe. Lisa teaches English as a Foreign Language and French, using her skills to build relationships and serve the local community while sharing her faith. Together, Mark and Lisa serve with a network of church plants in the city of Strasbourg. They are committed to making Christ’s love known by partnering with the local French church to love their neighbors, share the gospel, and disciple new believers.

D & J

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Southeast Asia

D and J are building relationships with an unreached people group in Southeast Asia. Their hope is to see a new community of believers grow through intentional disciple-making and personal connection.

JOSEPH BRADFORD IV

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Los Angeles, CA

Joseph launched his nonprofit, B.A.R.E. Truth, Inc., in 2018 to serve individuals and families in Los Angeles facing homelessness, food insecurity, and other critical needs. Through mentorship, independent living support, housing assistance, and wellness services, Joseph and his team help people move toward healthier, purpose-filled lives. They also host weekly feeding events on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. B.A.R.E. stands for Balance, Ambition, Respect, and Encouragement.

BILL ANKERBERG

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • Estonia

Bill leads a missions movement in the Nordic-Baltic region, focusing especially on Estonia, where fewer than 2% of people identify as Christian. His work includes supporting church planters, developing local leaders, strengthening compassion ministries, and mentoring pastors and missionaries across both the Baltics and Scandinavia. This ministry began in 2008 and continues to grow in reach and impact.

PAT & BETH ANDREWS

  • Bible Translation
  • Arlington, TX

 Pat serves with Seed Company, a subsidiary of Wycliffe Bible Translators, as Director of Field Projects for the Pacific Region and as a Translation Consultant. He helps oversee translation work in more than 60 languages, coordinating efforts across 11 organizations and 28 internships. Many of Pat’s teams are based in remote island communities, which often presents communication and travel challenges. Even so, Pat makes it a priority to visit his project teams and interns each year.

DENNIS & DENISE AHERN

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Washington State

Since 1992, the Aherns have provided counseling and care to missionaries in more than forty countries. They have a deep understanding of the unique needs, challenges, and opportunities that come with full-time ministry. Their commitment to supporting ministry workers led them to open a retreat center in Washington state called Selah Glen, where they host and lead pastoral care retreats. Through this work, the Aherns are able to care for those who spend their lives caring for others.

MIGUEL & MARIA ADAME

  • Church Planting
  • Baja Mexico

Pastor Miguel leads a growing church in Mexicali, Mexico, where he and his family have been serving the community since 2013. Their church runs weekly Bible studies, monthly outreach events, and provides a steady, welcoming presence in the neighborhood. In 2024, they opened a free private Christian elementary school that supports students with special needs or who are considered at-risk. Journey of Faith has partnered with this ministry through more than a dozen short-term mission trips.

Add Your Heading Text Here

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.