Westover Hills - Northwest
Everything: Cost vs. Value, Part 5
Weekend Services - Pastor Jim Rion
Locations & Times
Westover Hills - Northwest
9340 Westover Hills Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78251, USA
Saturday 6:00 PM
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 11:00 AM
Daniel didn’t back down when his back was against the wall!
Persecution is not the lack of protection by God but the evidence of trusting God.
Lacking an Excellent Spirit:
Want to vs. have to – Dread
Want to vs. need to – Obligation
Want to vs. wanted to – Regret
Want to vs. intend to – Procrastination
Want to vs. have to – Dread
Want to vs. need to – Obligation
Want to vs. wanted to – Regret
Want to vs. intend to – Procrastination
Excellent Spirit:
Want to and willing to – Commitment
Want to and willing to – Commitment
1. Sometimes willpower is merely won’t power.
Daniel 6:4 "…Daniel in his conduct…They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent."
Daniel 6:4 "…Daniel in his conduct…They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent."
2. Willpower is a muscle that strengthens with exercise.
Daniel 6:10 "Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before."
Daniel 6:10 "Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before."
3. Stick to it when you’re stuck.
Daniel 6:13 "Then they said to the king, 'Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.'"
Daniel 6:13 "Then they said to the king, 'Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.'"
Reflection Questions:
1. What similarities do you see between what Daniel faced and Christ-followers today?
2. If you were Daniel, what would be going through your mind while in the den of lions?
3. All of us struggle. In what areas do you battle with want to versus willpower?
4. Jesus said, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41) What does this teach us about our wants versus willpower?
5. List ways we can strengthen our willpower muscle.
6. From the teaching of Daniel and his persecution, what are some lessons for us as Christ-followers today? Is persecution increasing or decreasing for Christ-followers today? Give some examples.
7. Prayer was a vital source of guidance and strength for Daniel. What have you learned about praying from this lesson? How can you increase prayer in your daily life?
1. What similarities do you see between what Daniel faced and Christ-followers today?
2. If you were Daniel, what would be going through your mind while in the den of lions?
3. All of us struggle. In what areas do you battle with want to versus willpower?
4. Jesus said, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41) What does this teach us about our wants versus willpower?
5. List ways we can strengthen our willpower muscle.
6. From the teaching of Daniel and his persecution, what are some lessons for us as Christ-followers today? Is persecution increasing or decreasing for Christ-followers today? Give some examples.
7. Prayer was a vital source of guidance and strength for Daniel. What have you learned about praying from this lesson? How can you increase prayer in your daily life?