Active Christians Today University of Toledo
Bible Study ~ Daniel 3:1-30 "The Fiery Test"
The Book of Daniel is one of the most thrilling books in the Bible! It has all the elements of great stories: cliff-hanger drama, memorable characters and science fiction-like visions. Come join us for this challenging study on someone who chose to stand up in the midst of a culture that wanted him to stand down!
Locations & Times
Delta Church of Christ
2018 Bretton Pl, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
Wednesday 5:30 PM
ACT UT - Daniel 3:1-30 "The Fiery Test"
Group Bible Study - February 20, 2019
Group Bible Study - February 20, 2019
Introduction:
Exiled in Babylon, Daniel and his friends remained committed to worshiping God, who gave Daniel wisdom as he announced God’s coming kingdom. At the end of Daniel 2, the king honored Daniel and, remarkably, recognized that the God of Israel was truly God (v 47). But this does not mean he has himself understood who the God of the Bible really is, or what he does.
In Daniel 3:1-30, we see the faith of Daniel’s three friends put to the test.
Exiled in Babylon, Daniel and his friends remained committed to worshiping God, who gave Daniel wisdom as he announced God’s coming kingdom. At the end of Daniel 2, the king honored Daniel and, remarkably, recognized that the God of Israel was truly God (v 47). But this does not mean he has himself understood who the God of the Bible really is, or what he does.
In Daniel 3:1-30, we see the faith of Daniel’s three friends put to the test.
CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER:
What statements do people or organizations make through building impressive structures or buildings?
What statements do people or organizations make through building impressive structures or buildings?
DRAMATIZATION:
GROUP 1 ~ Daniel 3:1-18
GROUP 2 ~ Daniel 3:19-30
GROUP 1 ~ Daniel 3:1-18
GROUP 2 ~ Daniel 3:19-30
CONNECT WITH THE BIBLE:
The Nations Worship Nebuchadnezzar’s Statue (3:1-7)
The Nations Worship Nebuchadnezzar’s Statue (3:1-7)
What did King Nebuchadnezzar make? (3:1)
The statue Nebuchadnezzar builds is different from the one he saw in his dreams. What is the difference? And what does this suggest about Nebuchadnezzar’s view of himself and his empire?
Whom did he invite to the dedication ceremony? (3:2-3)
What were the people commanded to do? (3:4-5)
What warning did the herald give? (3:6)
What happened when the music began? (3:7)
When describing the dedication of the great statue, these verses contain some seemingly unnecessary repetition: for example, the list of officials present (vv. 2-3) or the list of musical instruments used (vv. 5, 7). What effect is created by this repetition? Is it positive, or negative? And what does it say about the people involved?
The statue Nebuchadnezzar builds is different from the one he saw in his dreams. What is the difference? And what does this suggest about Nebuchadnezzar’s view of himself and his empire?
Whom did he invite to the dedication ceremony? (3:2-3)
What were the people commanded to do? (3:4-5)
What warning did the herald give? (3:6)
What happened when the music began? (3:7)
When describing the dedication of the great statue, these verses contain some seemingly unnecessary repetition: for example, the list of officials present (vv. 2-3) or the list of musical instruments used (vv. 5, 7). What effect is created by this repetition? Is it positive, or negative? And what does it say about the people involved?
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Preserved in the Fiery Furnace (3:8-29)
Why did the astrologers complain to the king about the Jews? (3:12)
What did the king do about the complaint? (3:13-15)
Daniel's three friends refuse to pay homage to the statue erected by Nebuchadnezzar, and are therefore to be thrown into the fiery furnace. Look closely at their response to Nebuchadnezzar in verses 16-18. How confident are they of being delivered from the fiery furnace? What other fate do they consider a possibility?
What did the king order his men to do? (3:19-21)
What happened to the king’s soldiers? (3:22)
What happened to the three men? (3:23)
Why was the king amazed? (3:24-25)
Much to his surprise, when Nebuchadnezzar looked into the fiery furnace he saw not only the three friends alive and well, but a fourth man with them, who looked "like a son of the gods" (v. 25). Who is this person? And what does his presence with the three friends, in the fiery furnace, teach us about God's relationship to his people? You may find it helpful to read Isaiah 43:2 before answering this question.
What did the king do about the complaint? (3:13-15)
Daniel's three friends refuse to pay homage to the statue erected by Nebuchadnezzar, and are therefore to be thrown into the fiery furnace. Look closely at their response to Nebuchadnezzar in verses 16-18. How confident are they of being delivered from the fiery furnace? What other fate do they consider a possibility?
What did the king order his men to do? (3:19-21)
What happened to the king’s soldiers? (3:22)
What happened to the three men? (3:23)
Why was the king amazed? (3:24-25)
Much to his surprise, when Nebuchadnezzar looked into the fiery furnace he saw not only the three friends alive and well, but a fourth man with them, who looked "like a son of the gods" (v. 25). Who is this person? And what does his presence with the three friends, in the fiery furnace, teach us about God's relationship to his people? You may find it helpful to read Isaiah 43:2 before answering this question.
What did the crowd observe when the men came out of the fire? (3:26-27)
This passage is careful to describe how the three friends appeared after they came out of the fire: “The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them” (Dan. 3:27). What does this teach us about God’s ability to protect and care for his people?
This passage is careful to describe how the three friends appeared after they came out of the fire: “The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them” (Dan. 3:27). What does this teach us about God’s ability to protect and care for his people?
Nebuchadnezzar Promotes Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (3:30)
Compare the endings of Daniel 2 and 3. What common themes do you see? What larger message is this intended to convey about God’s victory and the faithfulness of God’s people?
How did the king respond to God’s deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? (3:28-30)
How did the king respond to God’s deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? (3:28-30)
CONNECT TO GOD:
How are we tempted to glorify national symbols?
If someone in authority over you told you to do something wrong, how would you respond?
How do you distinguish God’s authority from those in authority around you?
If you had a great deal of power over others, how might you be tempted to abuse it?
What would make you confident or afraid if your safety were threatened because of your faith in God?
If God chose not to rescue you from intense personal suffering, how would this affect your faith?
In what area of your life is it most difficult for you to stand by your Christian beliefs?
How has hardship strengthened your walk with the Lord?
How are we tempted to glorify national symbols?
If someone in authority over you told you to do something wrong, how would you respond?
How do you distinguish God’s authority from those in authority around you?
If you had a great deal of power over others, how might you be tempted to abuse it?
What would make you confident or afraid if your safety were threatened because of your faith in God?
If God chose not to rescue you from intense personal suffering, how would this affect your faith?
In what area of your life is it most difficult for you to stand by your Christian beliefs?
How has hardship strengthened your walk with the Lord?
APPLY IT:
What are you willing to risk in order to obey God’s clear commands?
How can you help someone in your community of faith who is going through difficult circumstances?
What are you willing to risk in order to obey God’s clear commands?
How can you help someone in your community of faith who is going through difficult circumstances?
PRAISES & PRAYER REQUESTS:
Thank Jesus for his perfect faithfulness in facing the judgment his people deserve.
Pray that you would show the same faithfulness as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when you are under pressure to compromise with the world.
Ask God to use the trials in your life to refine you and prove the genuineness of your faith. Pray for those in your church family who are experiencing particularly painful trials.
Share any other prayer requests, and close by thanking God for his comfort and promise to be with us.
Thank Jesus for his perfect faithfulness in facing the judgment his people deserve.
Pray that you would show the same faithfulness as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when you are under pressure to compromise with the world.
Ask God to use the trials in your life to refine you and prove the genuineness of your faith. Pray for those in your church family who are experiencing particularly painful trials.
Share any other prayer requests, and close by thanking God for his comfort and promise to be with us.
The Essential Inductive Questions:
1. What does this passage say?
2. What does this passage mean?
3. What is God telling me?
4. How am I encouraged and strengthened?
5. Is there sin in my life for which confession and repentance is needed?
6. How can I be changed, so I can learn and grow?
7. What is in the way of these precepts affecting me? What is in the way of my listening to God?
8. How does this apply to me? What will I do about it?
9. What can I model and teach?
10. What does God want me to share with someone?
1. What does this passage say?
2. What does this passage mean?
3. What is God telling me?
4. How am I encouraged and strengthened?
5. Is there sin in my life for which confession and repentance is needed?
6. How can I be changed, so I can learn and grow?
7. What is in the way of these precepts affecting me? What is in the way of my listening to God?
8. How does this apply to me? What will I do about it?
9. What can I model and teach?
10. What does God want me to share with someone?