Each week we’re publishing some questions to think about based on the Sunday messages & Bible readings.
These can be used in home groups, with others or on your own, and are designed to help you engage in the passage and themes in more depth and reflect on how God might be speaking to you through them.
There wasn't a sermon this week, so instead we're building on some of the themes from the prayer time we had together.
Opening Prayer
Gracious and Powerful God, thank you for this opportunity to meet together in your name. Thank you that you have brought us to this day and this moment with you. Thank you for the ways that you have led us, equipped us and taught us thus far on our journey of faith. Thank you for what you will say to us today. Give us ears to hear and hearts to respond. Amen.
Reading & Questions
Read Daniel 1:8-16
- King Darius’ decree in Daniel chapter 6 is not the first time Daniel felt called to take a stand for his faith. Why was food so important to Daniel? (Hint… skim read Leviticus 11)
Read Daniel 6
- When it came time for Daniel to stand up to the King in chapter 6, to what extent do you think he was encouraged by the experience he had in chapter 1? To what extent do our experiences of God’s faithfulness in the past, help us today?
- Daniel challenges us to prioritise prayer in our own lives. How is your prayer life going at the moment? What are the tasks/issues/situations that conspire to draw us away from time with God?
- Daniel’s story reminds us that it may sometimes be right to disobey earthly authorities. How do we know when it is and when it isn’t? Do you have examples in your own life or in the lives of others when disobedience felt right? What Scriptures can we call on to help us discern this? (e.g. Matt 22:15-22, Acts 4 and Romans 12:18)
- It's interesting that God doesn't take the lions' den away i.e. Daniel still has to go through it. How can this change our perspective when we are going through difficult times?
Praying Together
Pray together for strength and courage to be faithful to God in our own lives. Pray for the persecuted church and for all who suffer because they belong to Jesus.