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THE L.I.F.E. PLANDANIELBLOCK 2THEME 9 - THE PROPHETSLESSON 4 (72 of 216)

BLOCK 2THEME 9: THE PROPHETSLESSON 4 (72 OF 216): DANIELLESSON AIM: Present the life and ministry of the prophet Daniel.SCRIPTURE: (Daniel 6:16-17)Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den oflions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servestcontinually, he will deliver thee. 17 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth ofthe den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; thatthe purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.16The Book of Daniel is another one of those books which easily becomes one of ourfavorite Bible books. It is one of the most beloved books of the Bible in that it is filledwith many thrilling episodes from the lives of the characters which come into view inthis book. Some of our all-time favorite Bible stories are found in this part of theScriptures. Daniel is also one of the most important books of the Bible in itsrevelation of the story of mankind upon the earth, both past and future. We shouldfamiliarize ourselves with this book because it not only shows us where we are inGod’s plans for mankind upon the earth, but also how close we are at this time to theend of those plans.Daniel is one of the major prophets of the Old Testament. A reading of the bookwhich bears his name tells us many things about him and of the influence he hadthroughout his lifetime on earth. We are not told specifically of the family from whichDaniel came, but we can conclude that they were of some renown in Judah. Thisopened the way for him to be used of God in a special way during the troublesometimes in which he lived.The times in which Daniel lived were indeed troublesome. God’s longsuffering forthe southern nation of Judah had run out and they were about to be swallowed upinto Babylonian captivity. Daniel was a young man and one of the Israelites who weretaken in the first deportation to Babylon. From that time, and for the rest of his life,Daniel was a prominent figure among the Hebrews and among those who held themcaptive. His faith and his leadership not only saved his life and the lives of his friends,but gave the Hebrews something on which to hold during this dark period of theirhistory.The ministry of Daniel was varied, extensive, and world-impacting. Believers todaystill look to the book of Daniel as a sort of spiritual GPS to pinpoint our location in theplans of God concerning the world and the future. Daniel’s long and impactfulministry had its foundation in prayer. The prayer life of Daniel is a model for howGod’s people should pray in all generations. He prayed about everything and in spiteof everything. One of the most beloved stories of the Bible, the story of Daniel in thelion’s den, happened as a result of Daniel’s prayer life. Other kingdom officials werejealous of the position Daniel held in the kingdom of Darius, the Mede, and conspiredto trap Daniel in a violation of the king’s law because of his daily praying. Danielprayed anyway, was arrested and condemned to die at the mouths of hungry lions.Daniel was cast into a den of lions where he spent the night being protected by anangel sent from God to prevent the lions from doing him any harm. When he was

released the next morning, his accusers were thrown into the same lion’s den andwere dead before their bodies touched the bottom of the pit. Thus, was Daniel broughtforth without as much as a scratch from the den of lions.Daniel’s ministry was also characterized by the principles upon which he basedand lived his life. When he was first taken into captivity, he and his friends wereappointed to become students of the wisdom of Babylon. They entered a three yeartraining period in which they were taught in philosophy, knowledge, sciences,language, and cultural practices how to be a leader in the Babylonian empire. As apart of their training, they were given a daily provision of the king’s meat and wine.Daniel refused to receive the provision in that he suspected it had been tainted byidolatry. Rather than defile himself with the king’s meat, he asked to be servedvegetables only whereby he and his friends flourished beyond those who ate the meat.As a result of them standing upon their principles, God rewarded them with greatability to excel in the training in which they received.Prophecy was a huge part of the ministry of Daniel. To Daniel, God gaveunderstanding in visions and dreams. This played a large role in Daniel’s life, in thelives of his friends, in the life of the king, and in the history of the world. Twoimportant prophecies we find in the book of Daniel are those associated with thedream of Nebuchadnezzar whereby God revealed the history of mankind to come, andthe vision of Daniel in which God revealed how the end of man’s history on earthwould come about.Much of Daniel’s ministry was performed while he fulfilled the role of a publicservant. He was not elected to office but was raised to prominence by God andappointed to office by the kings under whom he served. Daniel arose to be a greatpolitical official, serving in some capacity under four kings of two empires; theBabylonians, and the Medes and Persians.In addition to the intriguing historical accounts, the amazing acts of God, and theprophetic window through which we can view the future, the book of Daniel gives usmany insightful lessons which we can apply in our lives today. Space in this lessonwill only permit us to briefly mention two of them. First, is the process we see inchapter nine of how Daniel gained understanding from God’s Word. The process issimple on paper but is toiling work in personal application. Daniel read the Scripture.It’s amazing how many people think they can know the will and plans of God withoutreading the Bible. It is not possible. Next, he prayed about what he read. He fastedas he thought over all the details God had given to him. He confessed his sin and thesins of his nation. And he received help from angels in helping him to know what Godwished to communicate to him and for him to understand. Much of this process isstill how we can come to an understanding of God’s revelation through his Word.Daniel also teaches us important lessons concerning our faith. Let us mentionthree of them. The enemy will use our faith against us as Daniel’s discipline of prayerwas used against him. Second, governments do not rule our faith; God does. We livein a time when this lesson is being put to the test. And finally, God responds to ourfaith. He responded to Daniel’s faith in the lion’s den. He responded to the faith ofShadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. He will respond to our faithin whatever circumstance in which we may be found. Whether he chooses to deliverus from those circumstances in this life is up to him. Either way, he responds andwalks with us in whatever direction he takes us in our walk with him.Daniel is much too exciting and important a book to not read and become familiar.Take the time to read it for all it is worth. You will be blessed as you read of the worksof God and men, and as you learn to walk with God in the same way as they did.

LESSON OUTLINEBLOCK 2THEME 9: THE PROPHETSLESSON 4 (72 OF 216): DANIELI DANIELA. The man1. Who he was2. The times in which he livedB. His ministry1. Prayer2. Principle3. Prophecy4. Public servantII LESSONS FROM DANIEL’S LIFEA. Understanding the ScripturesB. Our faithSCRIPTURES TO BROADEN YOUR UNDERSTANDING1. The times in which Daniel livedJeremiahLamentationsEzekiel2. Daniel has many things in common with:RevelationLINES OF THEOLOGICAL CONNECTION1. THE DOCTRINE OF GODGod’s sovereigntyGod’s providence2. THE DOCTRINE OF ANGELSThe ministry of angels3. ANTHROPOLOGYMan’s history on earth as revealed in Daniel3. ESCHATOLOGYEnd time eventsThe millennial kingdom

QUESTIONS ANSWER KEY1. At what time in Israel’s history did Daniel live?At the time of the Babylonian captivity2. In which deportation was Daniel taken to Babylon?The first of three3. Who were Daniel’s close friends?Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego4. List four things which characterized Daniel’s ministry.Prayer, principle, prophecy, public service5. What caused Daniel to end up in a den of lions?His practice of prayer was used against him6. List three things we learn about faith in Daniel.The enemy will use our faith against us; Governments do not rule our faith; Godresponds to faith7. Can you recall an experience when something about your faith was used againstyou?Student response8. How much is God’s Word a part of your daily life? Be specific.Student response

BLOCK 2THEME 9: THE PROPHETSLESSON 4 (72 OF 216): DANIELQUESTIONS TO INSPIRE THOUGHT1. At what time in Israel’s history did Daniel live?2. In which deportation was Daniel taken to Babylon?3. Who were Daniel’s close friends?4. List four things which characterized Daniel’s ministry.5. What caused Daniel to end up in a den of lions?6. List three things we learn about faith in Daniel.7. Can you recall an experience when something about your faith was used againstyou?8. How much is God’s Word a part of your daily life? Be specific.

BLOCK 2 THEME 9: THE PROPHETS LESSON 4 (72 OF 216): DANIEL LESSON AIM: Present the life and ministry of the prophet Daniel. SCRIPTURE: (Daniel 6:16-17) 16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest