DANIEL‘S IDENTITY AND HIS DECISION
Daniel 1:1-21
Key verse 1:8
* Daniel’s Captivity in Babylon (1-7)
- What was the worlds situation at that time? What difficult situation was Judah in? (1,2; 2Ki 23:30-25:30) What was God’s original plan for His people? (Ex 19:5,6; Dt 6:5, 10-12) Why did the deportation of the Jews to Babylon happen three times? (Dt 28:15-65; 2Ki 24:1-4) Who and how many people were taken captive? What can we learn from God through the development of this story?
- What special plan did Nebuchadnezzar have concerning the Jewish captives? (3-5; Isa 39:7) In what situation did Daniel and his three friends find themselves in, when they were chosen by Nebuchadnezzar? (6) What new Babylonian names did they get and what is the significance of this naming for them? (7)
* Daniel’s Decision of Faith (8-21)
- What decision did Daniel make? (8; Ex 34:15; 2Cor 6:17) What was the significance and danger of his decision? How was he able to overcome this crisis? (9-16) What help did he receive? What kind of faith did Daniel have? What can we learn from Daniel?
- How and why did God help these four young men in their trial before the king? (17-20) How could Daniel receive God’s help, protection and blessing during the time of captivity and be used as a shepherd and leader for his people? To what extent was one man’s, Daniels, decision of faith important? What kind of faith do we need to be used as spiritual leaders in this generation?