Week 3: Daniel in the Lion’s Den 

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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  

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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