1. Share an example of someone who chose to obey God knowing that their decision would cost them dearly.
Ask two people to read aloud Daniel 3:1, 4-6, 8-28, one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Then ask a third person to briefly summarize these verses.
2. What do you think motivated King Nebuchadnezzar to set up this great statue for all the people to worship (v. 1)? What does this say about the human tendency toward arrogance?
3. Reflecting on the king’s dream in chapter 2, lesson writer Mark Scott notes, “Knowing that the gold part of the statue is Nebuchadnezzar himself (2:38), he erected a huge image of gold (form of an idol).” How does Nebuchadnezzar’s response to his dream differ from God’s purpose of giving him the dream?
4. It’s conceivable that more Jewish captives than Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to the king’s golden image. Why do you think these three were singled out by the Babylonian astrologers? (v. 12) What does this say about the way some people view those around them who have strong convictions?
5. When confronted by the king about their disobedience, the three Hebrew men refused to defend themselves (v. 16). What can we learn from them about the quiet and firm confidence of those who put their trust in God?
6. When Nebuchadnezzar saw that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were unharmed by the heat of the blazing furnace, he acknowledged their faith and praised God who protected them (v. 28). How can our faith in God today lead others to put their trust in him?
7. Based on our study and discussion, complete the sentence: “I will . . .”
For Next Week: Read and reflect on Daniel 5:1-6, 13-30. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts and the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.
The public failure of famous Christians doesn’t prove that God’s power isn’t real. Instead, it reveals to us where we should and shouldn’t expect to find the most remarkable displays of God’s power.
We can be flexible about many things, but in Scripture God has given us bedrock, unbending truths that don’t change no matter how much time passes or culture shifts.
The public may have lost confidence in higher education more generally, yet I believe we may be entering another golden era in Christian higher education.
Someday we will lay down our WOMBATs and our treasured accomplishments. What will matter most then? Clinging to Christ and the cross.
For the Christian, a new year means another growth step to take, another goal to set, and more fruit to bear in God’s kingdom.
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