Daniel Interprets Other’s Dreams 

Daniel Interprets Other’s Dreams 

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 God calling Ezekiel to be a prophet to the Israelite exiles in Babylon. One of the application points was “What are some ways that you will allow God’s Word to fill you in order for you to be transformed”.  

How have you been trying to apply this to your life this week? 

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

Connect  

  • How do you usually respond to stressful situations? Why is this your response? 
  • How do you want other people to see you in your daily life? 
  • How are your values seen in the way you live your life? 

Opening Thought 

When challenges arise, our reaction to them can say a lot about our character and values. God invites us to be faithful and trust him in these times. Instead of trying to find our own way in the hard situations in our lives, we can know that God is going to get us through them. Our responses to difficult times can also speak to the people around us about our faith in God as well.  

This leads us to our main idea for this week:  

Main idea for the week
We can represent God well by faithfully trusting him

The Story so Far

The kingdom of Babylon took over the southern kingdom of Judah. King Jehoiakim, one of the last kings of Judah, rebelled against the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, after being defeated by him in battle. Nebuchadnezzar then retaliated by destroying Jerusalem and exiling many of the wise men and promising young people in Judah to Babylon.  

Here’s where we are this week

We will continue talking about the period of Jewish history known as the Exilic (meaning “in exile”) period. This week, we will be discussing a character named Daniel, who is one of the major prophets in the Old Testament. During the Babylonian Exile, when the wise and promising young people in Jerusalem were exiled from their land, Daniel (renamed Beltashazzar) and his friends Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach), and Azariah (Abednego) were among them. Chapter One of the book of Daniel introduces us to these characters, shows us their wisdom and how faithful they are to God, and gives a quick preface of Daniel’s influence with King Nebuchadnezzar (at the end of chapter one, Daniel and his friends are put into the king’s service as counselors). After this, King Nebuchadnezzar has a dream and tasks his wise men and all the magicians in Babylon to tell him what his dream was and interpret it or they will die. Once the wise men and magicians in the king’s service are unable to fulfill his demand, the king makes a decree that all the wise men of Babylon are to be killed, including Daniel and his friends. 

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 2:14-23 

Unpack 

  • How does Daniel’s response to the king’s decree demonstrate faith and wisdom? 
    • Why did Daniel ask for more time? Why do you think this was his first reaction? 
    • What is the significance of Daniel asking his friends to pray? 
  • Why is Daniel’s reaction to God answering his prayer important? Why was this important for him to do? 
    • What is your normal reaction when God answers your prayers?  
      • How often do you notice that God answers your prayers? Why is it important to give God our praise? 

Read  

Daniel 2:24-30 

Unpack 

  • Why do you think Daniel cared what happened to the other wise men from Babylon and not just himself and his friends?   
    • How does Daniel’s care for his Babylonian captors and enemies show his character? 
    • How can you also try to demonstrate this character in your life? 
  • Why do you think Daniel emphasizes to Nebuchadnezzar that God is the reason he is able to interpret the dream? 
    • How often are you quick to give God glory for ways that he is working in your life? 
      • Are there times in your life when you give yourself all the credit for your accomplishments? 

Read  

Daniel 2:31-49 

Unpack 

  • How do you think we, like Daniel, can demonstrate faith when confronted with impossible situations? 
  • Why do you think God chose to reveal this dream to Nebuchadnezzar?  
    • How does it feel knowing that God’s kingdom will last forever, even though other civilizations will fail? Why is this important to remember? 
      • How should this affect how you spend your time on earth?  
  • What is the significance of King Nebuchadnezzar acknowledging Daniel’s God?  
    • How does Daniel’s promotion illustrate God’s faithfulness to those who trust in Him? Why is this important to remember in our own lives? 

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: 

  • How will you try to put God first in your thoughts and actions this week? 
  • How will you spend intentional time glorifying God for the good things in your life this week? 
  • How will we as a group seek to actively take part in being a part of the kingdom of God in our community? 

Closing 

We will have times in our lives where we don’t know what to do and God invites us to trust him in these situations. When we find ourselves being faced with an impossible task or in the middle of a situation that we don’t feel equipped for, we should turn to God. He has promised he will guide us through these times and we can trust his word because God has always proven himself faithful.  

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 28:7 

“The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” 

**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: Jeremiah 17:7-8 

Day 2: Romans 8:26-29 

Day 3: Psalm 37:5 

Day 4: Nahum 1:7 

Day 5: Isaiah 12:2 

Day 6: Philippians 4:6-7 

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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.

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