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?
- What is your normal reaction when God answers your prayers?
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?
- How often are you quick to give God glory for ways that he is working in your life?
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?
- How does it feel knowing that God’s kingdom will last forever, even though other civilizations will fail? Why is this important to remember?
- 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