Daniel: Chapter 1

Sermon Series: Daniel

Message: Chapter 1

April 21, 2024

Guest Speaker: Phil Rodriguez

Scriptures Used: Daniel 1:1-21; Romans 12:2; Ecclesiastes 3:11; Hebrews 11:16

Your Own Notes:

Discussion Questions:

1. After reading through Daniel 1, what do you notice about God specifically? What are the primary themes or messages that the author emphasizes regarding God’s sovereignty and power and God’s care for His people?
2. The story of Daniel and his friends refusing to eat the king’s food and wine is a powerful testament to their unwavering faith in God. Consider the symbolism of food and wine in the story. What do these elements symbolize, and why was it significant for Daniel and his friends to refuse them? Can you think of a modern-day scenario that mirrors this kind of faithfulness? How might we respond in a similar situation to theirs?
3. Discuss the importance of the Hebrew names of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.  What do their getting assigned new names by King Nebuchadnezzar represent, and how do they relate to the theme of identity in the story? Are there any parallels you can make to the identity-making systems of our day and age or those people, things, and systems that seek our allegiance and loyalty?
4. Discuss the concepts of conformity, transformation, and renewing of the mind in Romans 12:2. How do these concepts apply to Daniel’s and his friends’ experiences of resisting conformity in Babylon? How do you think their making up their minds influenced others and testified to God’s greatness? 
5. Reflect on the parallels between the Babylonian system in Daniel’s time and the pressures to conform to the systems of the world in our own “age” today. How can Christians maintain their faith and convictions while still engaging with society and sharing the gospel with others?
6. Consider the themes of exile and longing for home in Ecclesiastes 3:11 and Hebrews 11:16. What would these concepts have meant for Daniel and his friends? How might this resonate with believers today, and what insights do these passages offer for navigating spiritual challenges in our culture?
7. Share a personal example of how prayer has influenced your response to difficult situations or temptations to conform. Then, partner with someone and ask them to pray for a specific need or situation.