SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON MAY 6, 2018, TOPIC: STAND RESOLUTELY FOR THE LORD (DANIEL)

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON MAY 6, 2018

TOPIC: STAND RESOLUTELY FOR THE LORD (DANIEL)

MEMORY VERSE: 1 PETER 1:7. That the trial of your faith,being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. (KJV).

LESSON TEXT: Daniel 1;1-20, 6:1-28

CENTRAL TRUTH: The Lord empowers Christians to stand firm in the face of opposition.

FOCUS: To remained how Daniel true to God and stand fast in our faith.

OUTLINE:

11.     Always Honour God

A.    Remain Loyal

B.     Have Faith

22.     Always do what is right

A.    Seek God in Success

B.     Seek God in Opposition

33.     Trust God to Keep you

A.    Maintain Hope

B.     Maintain Your Testimony.

LESSON OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

11.     Explain how Daniel preserved in faith through successes and trials

22.     Describe the priority of prayer in the life of Daniel and in the lives  of believers today.

33.     Praise God for the privilege and blessings of honouring Him and obeying His word.

INTRODUCING THE LESSON.

  Jeremiah had warned Judah that a foreign conqueror will carry them away because of their sin. It was difficult time for God’s people but God did not abandon them. He gave them prophets like Daniel, whose godly example, steadfast faith, and powerful testimony pointed to God’s merciful plan. Today, God calls Christians to stand firm in their faith and offer a testimony to their generation.

COMMENTARY AND APPLICATION

11.     Always Honour God

A.    Remain Loyal     Daniel 1:3,5,8

      Daniel was among the first group of captives King Nebuchanezzar’s army forced from Jerusalem to Babylon in 605 BC. As the Babylonians swallowed nations in conquest, Nebuchanezzar shrewdly selected the best and brightest from among the captives for government services. The King educated them for three years in Babylonian language and literature (Daniel 1:3-4).

      Many scholars believe Daniel came from a noble or wealthy family, since Nebuchanezzar  specifically sought young men with such pedigrees ( Verse 3). Daniel was deemed to be well-educated, intelligent, and talented ( see verse 4). Recognizing Daniel’s potential, King;s officials drafted him into Babylon’s elite training programme.

   It wasn’t just Daniel’s intellect that made him special. He was also a man of integrity and great faith – important qualities in this profoundly godless city.

Amid their training, the young trainee were to receives  a share of the rich food and wine from the King’s table (verse 5). But Daniel was careful not to do anything that would dischonour God or violate His Laws.

QUESTION: Why was Daniel concerned that the royal food would defile him?

   The food no doubt violated Jewish dietary laws. Pagainism permeated Babylon society. Among other things, the meat likely had been sacrificed to false gods. Therefore, Daniel and his friends ( see verse 7) sought permission not to defile themselves with the King’s food and drink ( verse 8). Daniel was determined to remain loyal to God – even when it meant taking a stand against the norm or making personal sacrifices.

B.     Have Faith.   Daniel 1:9-15

    God bless Daniel and gave him favour with the authorities. Yet the chief official was uneasy about Daniel and his friends following a special diet .At all, if they became sick or weak, the one in charge of  keeping them fed and healthy would have to answer for it ( Daniel 1:8-10).

QUESTION: What was Daniel’s attitude towards the official?

     Daniel was resolute in his choice to honour God. Yet he wasn’t defiant or disrespectful. Daniel invited the official to investigate his claims about God. If Daniel’s assurance proved true and the young men remained healthy, the official could be assured that he would not be punished ( verse 11-13).

     Daniel offers a helpful example for dealing with questions and opposition concerning our faith. Living the message of Christ, demonstrating the Love of Christ, and then inviting others to investigate the reality of Christ for themselves is an effective model for witnessing. It is also worthy of note that God has brought favour to Daniel in the eyes of the official ( verse 9). And God would also provide the answer to the situation.

      Daniel and his three friends were quite healthy at the end of the trial period, an outcome that must have made an impression on the official ( verses 14-15). In an act of great faith and trust, Daniel honoured God despite any potential consequences. He stood resolutely for the Lord.

22.     Always Do What Is Right

A.    Seek God In Success.  Daniel 6:1-4

      The event of chapter 6 took place under the reign of Darius, many years after the exile. By the time Darius rose to power, Daniel may have been ninty years old. Daniel’s exceptional qualities didn’t escape the King’s notice. Daniel was honest, trustworthy, and capable, and he quickly rose to prominence in the administration. He became one of the three presidents overseeing 120 princes who were assigned to various provinces ( Daniel 6:1-2). Daniel had so distinguished himself that Darius planned to make him head over the entire administration ( verse 3).

    This promotion made the other political leaders jealous. Because most of them were likely Medes or Persians, they may have reacted badly to seeing a Jewish captive exalted to such a lofty position. These men went looking for a scandal to discredit Daniel, but they could find no legitimate basis for accusing him ( verse 4). Power had not corrupted Daniel. Even as he became great in stature and influence, he never stopped relying on God.

QUESTION: How might success distract Christians from God?

     For some, the cares that accompany success can cause self-sufficiency to set in, and spiritual disciplines may fall by the wayside. For others, prosperity leads to arrogance and a false sense of control that erodes dependence on God.

. For others, the pursuit of power and material things becomes a higher priority than the pursuit of God. Christians must carefully guard their hearts against such perils. In time of success and trial, God deserves our complete devotion. Our highest s priority should be growing in Jesus and seeking to follow Him so closely that other can see us as above reproach. 

B.    Seek God in Opposition.  Daniel 6:5-11

     Unable to find fault in Daniel, the other leaders decided to use Daniel’s spiritual integrity against him by targeting his faith in God (Daniel 6:5). They convinced the King to issue a degree prohibiting all prayers for thirty days except those directed at Darius.