A eople Restorelifeway.s3.amazonaws.com/samples/edoc/M00100036_LookInside.pdf · [email protected] or mail to Content Editor, e Gospel Project: Adult Daily Discipleship Guide,

A People RestoredDaily Discipleship Guide

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© 2019 LifeWay Christian Resources

Hope in the Midst of Darkness

God’s plan to redeem humanity centered on Him forming a people through whom He would bring blessing to the world (Gen. 12:1-3). It would be through this people—the descendants of Abraham—that One would come to crush the head of the serpent (Gen. 3:15) and put an end to sin and death. Not only would God’s blessing come through the Israelites, it would be extended to them. God had promised to care for His people, to protect them, and to be their God and their Father.

But one of the ways good fathers bless is by disciplining their wayward, disobedient children. Just as God had promised to take care of Israel many times, He had also warned them of the consequences of their disobedience. But they failed to listen. Time and time again, they played the harlot with pagan gods, wanting the faithful blessings of the one true God without being faithful to Him.

God’s response is found in the prophets and can be summarized by one word: Repent. God called on His people to turn from their wicked ways and turn back to Him. If they did, He would receive them back, but if they did not, He would bring destruction upon them—not punitive destruction but restorative destruction. His discipline is always corrective.

And still, the people would not listen, they would not repent. So judgment came. First, it came in the form of the Assyrian army, which conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel and hauled off its people into captivity. But even witnessing this did not draw the rest of God’s people to repentance. And so, judgment came again, this time through the Babylonian army, which destroyed the Southern Kingdom of Judah, including Jerusalem, and exiled its people.

These were dark days for God’s people. They were prisoners in foreign lands, their land was occupied by a pagan people, and the temple lay in ruins. The blessings of God seemed more distant than ever. Impossible even. But even if it was difficult for the people to see, God was drawing His master plan together—the promised Seed, the Deliverer, was closer than ever. In a blistering cadence of activity to close out the Old Testament, God restored His people to the promised land and the temple and the city of Jerusalem were rebuilt, but then God went silent. For four hundred years, the people looked, listened, and waited—the stage was set for Jesus to come and crush the serpent’s head.

God’s Word to You


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Table of Contents

Suggested for the week of

Unit 16: God Sustains His People (Daniel)

December 1 11 Session 1 God’s Presence Sustains His People

December 8 20 Session 2 God’s Authority Sustains His People

December 15 29 Session 3 God’s Protection Sustains His People

December 22 38 Christmas Immanuel, God with Us

December 29 47 Session 4 God’s Promises Sustain His People

Unit 17: God Restores His People (Ezra; Prophets)

January 5 57 Session 1 The Vision of Future Justice

January 12 66 Session 2 The Return of Exiles

January 19 75 Session 3 The Rebuilding of the Temple

January 26 84 Session 4 The Promise of a Coming King

Unit 18: God Prepares His People (Esther, Nehemiah, Malachi)

February 2 94 Session 1 God Saves His People Through a Queen

February 9 103 Session 2 God Protects His People Through a Cupbearer

February 16 112 Session 3 God Revives His People Through a Scribe

February 23 121 Session 4 God’s Warns His People Through a Prophet


4 EDITOR

The Gospel Project®Adult Daily Discipleship Guide CSBVolume 8, Number 2 Winter 2019-20

Ed StetzerFounding Editor

Trevin WaxGeneral Editor

Brian DembowczykManaging Editor

Daniel DavisContent Editor

Josh HayesContent and Production Editor

Ken BraddyManager, Adult Ongoing Bible Studies

Michael KelleyDirector, Groups Ministry

Send questions/comments to: Content Editor by email to [email protected] or mail to Content Editor, The Gospel Project: Adult Daily Discipleship Guide, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0175; or make comments on the Web at lifeway.com.

Printed in the United States of America

The Gospel Project®: Adult Daily Discipleship Guide CSB (ISSN 2162-7207; Item 005461524) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234. © 2019 LifeWay Christian Resources.

For ordering or inquiries, visit lifeway.com, or write LifeWay Resources Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0113. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, email [email protected], fax 615.251.5933, or write to the above address.

We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay’s doctrinal guideline, please visit www.lifeway.com/doctrinalguideline.

All Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

Brian DembowczykManaging Editor—The Gospel Project Author of Gospel-Centered Kids Ministry and Cornerstones: 200 Questions and Answers to Learn Truth

Think about the encouragement people often share to help others through times of adversity. We might hear someone speak of how pressure is required to

transform coal into a diamond; thus, pressure can be good for us, transforming us into someone better. Or we might be told of the hatchling that has to work to break through its eggshell, and that struggle is good for this creature—even necessary—so that it grows strong. Likewise, adversity strengthens us and positions us to be who we were meant to be.

While these illustrations might provide encouragement, they reveal something quite important about the world’s view of adversity. The world sees adversity as an opportunity for a person to dig deep, gaze within their soul, and discover who he or she truly is. But the gospel tells a different story—a better story. The gospel sees adversity as an opportunity for a person to look high above, gaze upon Christ, and see who He truly is. For it is Christ, not ourselves, who carries us through all trials and suffering. Adversity positions us to rely on Christ’s power, not an inner human strength that has been lying dormant.

In this volume we pick up the story of Scripture with the Jews living in bondage in a foreign land, the result of their rebellion against God. But even in the midst of judgment, God’s faithful love still shines forth brightly. We will witness God continuing to guide, strengthen, and protect His people in their time of great adversity, not to help them discover who they were but rather to understand who He is. At the same time, we will see God continue to drive the events of history toward the fulfillment of His ancient promise to provide the Rescuer, the One who would free people from an even greater bondage, that of sin and death.

A Word from the Editor


5WRITERS

About the Writers

Quina Aragon (Christmas session) is an author and spoken word artist who resides in Tampa, Florida, with her husband, Jon, and three-year-old daughter. She is a small group leader at her church. Her first children’s book, Love Made, poetically retells the story of creation through a trinitarian lens of overflowing joy and love.

Aaron Armstrong (unit 17, session 1) is the brand manager of The Gospel Project, author of several books, including Awaiting a Savior and Epic: The Story That Changed the World, and screenwriter of the award-winning documentary Luther: The Life and Legacy of the German Reformer. Find him online at bloggingtheologically.com and on Twitter at @aaronstrongarm.

Adam Dooley (unit 16, sessions 1-4) serves as the senior pastor of Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, Tennessee. He is a two-time graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he also serves as an adjunct professor. Adam is the author of Passion in the Pulpit and the forthcoming When Life Unravels (June 2020). He and his wife, Heather, have three sons and two daughters.

Micah Fries (unit 17, sessions 2-4) is the senior pastor of Brainerd Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Micah has authored and edited multiple books, including a volume in the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series, Islam and North America, and Leveling the Church (releasing Spring 2020). Micah is married to Tracy and has two daughters, Grace and Kessed, and a son, Haddon.

Muche Ukegbu (unit 18, sessions 1-4) is the lead pastor at The Brook Church in Miami, Florida, a church he and his wife, Diamone, helped to plant in 2015 in association with the North American Mission Board. He received a BA in Anthropology from the University of North Texas and an MA in Christian Leadership from Dallas Theological Seminary. The Ukegbus have three children.


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Spring 2019 Into the Promised Land God Guides His People (Num.; Deut.) God Gives His People a Home (Joshua) God Delivers His People (Judges; Ruth)

Summer 2019 A Kingdom Provided God Provides a King (1 Samuel) God Provides a Godly King (1–2 Sam.; Psalms) God Provides a Wise King (1 Kings; Eccl.)

Fall 2019 A Nation Divided God Speaks to His People (1–2 Kings) God Judges the Sin of His People (2 Kings; Prophets) God Shows Mercy to His People (2 Chron.; Prophets)

Winter 2019-20 A People Restored God Sustains His People (Daniel) God Restores His People (Ezra; Prophets) God Prepares His People (Neh.; Esth.; Mal.)

THE GOSPEL PROJECT A Journey Through the Storyline of Scripture

Fall 2018 In the Beginning Creation and the Fall (Genesis; Job) God Establishes a Covenant People (Genesis) God Grows His Covenant People (Genesis)

Winter 2018-19 Out of Egypt God Redeems His People (Genesis; Exodus) God Provides for His People (Exodus) God Receives Worship from His People (Ex.; Lev.)


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Winter 2020-21 The Mission Begins The Holy Spirit Comes (Acts; Epistles) Fundamentals of the Faith (Acts; Epistles) New Life in Christ (Acts; Epistles)

Spring 2021 The Church United Living Like Jesus (Acts; Hebrews) The Sent Church (Acts; Epistles) Don’t Forget (Acts; Epistles)

Fall 2020 Jesus the Savior Jesus and the Kingdom (Gospels) Jesus the Savior (Gospels) Jesus the Risen King (Gospels)

Summer 2021 All Things New Paul in Prison (Acts; Epistles) Facing Adversity (Acts; Epistles) Jesus Will Come Again (Revelation)

Summer 2020 Jesus the Servant Jesus the Healer (Gospels) Jesus the Teacher (Gospels) Jesus the Miracle-Worker (Gospels)

Spring 2020 Jesus the Messiah Jesus Comes into the World (Luke) Jesus Begins His Ministry (Gospels) Jesus Among the People (Gospels)


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21Unit 16, Session 220 Date of My Bible Study: ______________________________

Unit 16, Session 2

God’s Authority Sustains His Plan for His People

SESSION IN A SENTENCE: God humbles the proud so that they can recognize His authority and praise Him.

BACKGROUND PASSAGE: Daniel 4

Years ago I heard a story about three business professionals sharing their definitions of success with each other while eating a meal.

“For me,” said the first man, “being called to the White House for a private meeting with the president would be the ultimate achievement.”

“Not me,” interrupted the second man. “My pinnacle of success would be meeting in the Oval Office with the president and watching him ignore his ringing emergency phone in order to talk to me.”

“You’re both wrong,” exclaimed the third man. “Real success is when you’re meeting with the president in the Oval Office and the phone rings, he answers, and says, ‘It’s for you!’ ”

Though we chuckle over the ego of these men, most of us crave notoriety and acclaim. We secretly long to be the center of the universe. While our self-obsession may seem harmless (at least in our eyes!), this sin makes a relationship with God impossible.

What is the relationship between success and pride?

2Unit 16, Session Group Time

Point 1: Those who walk in pride are blind to God’s authority (Dan. 4:29-30).

29 At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?”

Despite voicing praise for the authority of Yahweh (3:28-29), Nebuchadnezzar still idolized himself above all others. Daniel pleaded with Nebuchadnezzar to repent of his pride and avoid the punishment. Yet despite the warning that God would humble him like an animal because of his pride, Nebuchadnezzar continued to strut through Babylon. He saw his kingdom as the work of his hands for the glory of his name alone.

Sin as Selfishness: When we sin, we are

acting out of a selfish attitude and mind-

set that assumes our action will lead us to

more happiness than if we were to obey

God. Sin is manifested in our tendency to be

“________________ ________________” toward self.

Unless we humble ourselves, we will remain oblivious to God’s authority and activity around us. In this scenario, we become our own god, even if we say otherwise. Though we all possess the common knowledge of our human frailty, we will smugly put off until tomorrow what the Lord requires of us today—humble faith and worship. Ultimately, our overconfidence regarding the future is the direct result of an exaggerated view of ourselves. Those who esteem themselves dismiss that life is a vapor that appears briefly before vanishing (Jas. 4:14), as if they were somehow the exception to the rule.

In what ways do we take the future for granted, as if it were ours alone to plan?

Voices from Church History“ In God you come up against something which is in every respect immeasurably superior to yourself. Unless you know God as that—and, therefore, know yourself as nothing in comparison—you do not know God at all. As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.” 1

–C. S. Lewis (1898-1963)

61Unit 17, Session 1

Notes

60 Daily Discipleship Guide

My MissionBecause we have received God’s grace and mercy, we are to have compassion and concern for the oppressed and distressed in our culture.

• How is God challenging you to obey in faith today through Obadiah’s message?

• What can your group do to show compassion to people who have been victimized or mistreated in your community?

• With whom will you share the gospel this week because of the reality of God’s judgment against arrogant sinners?

Voices from Church History“ It was the view of that strange compassion of the Saviour, moving him to die for his enemies, to bear double for all our sins, to taste death for every man; it was this view which gave him the impulse in every labor, which made all suffering light to him, and every commandment not grievous.” 3

–Robert Murray McCheyne (1813-1843)

Point 3: The Lord will judge the nations and deliver His people on the day of the Lord (Obad. 15-21).

15 For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head. 16 For as you have drunk on my holy mountain, so all the nations shall drink continually; they shall drink and swallow, and shall be as though they had never been. 17 But in Mount Zion there shall be those who escape, and it shall be holy, and the house of Jacob shall possess their own possessions. 18 The house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau stubble; they shall burn them and consume them, and there shall be no survivor for the house of Esau, for the Lord has spoken.

The Book of Obadiah is a warning of coming judgment but also a message of compassion. One reason is the judgment on Edom, and the nations, would demonstrate God’s compassion for His people, revealing once again that God is gracious and just. The second reason is God’s warning was also a message of compassion for the Edomites and the nations, an opportunity to turn away from their sin before it was too late.

God Is Just: Since humanity has sinned by failing to live up to God’s righteous

standards, God has taken it upon Himself to make _____________________ by being

both just and the justifier of those who place their faith in _____________________.

How are you encouraged knowing that God is both gracious and just?

19 Those of the Negeb shall possess Mount Esau, and those of the Shephelah shall possess the land of the Philistines; they shall possess the land of Ephraim and the land of Samaria, and Benjamin shall possess Gilead. 20 The exiles of this host of the people of Israel shall possess the land of the Canaanites as far as Zarephath, and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad shall possess the cities of the Negeb. 21 Saviors shall go up to Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau, and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.

These last verses are steeped in the hope that we have in the gospel because they find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ. Jesus is the great ruler and deliverer of His people past, present, and future. Jesus is the Lord to whom the kingdom belongs. And Jesus will bring about the final restoration of His people, even beyond the promised land. All of creation will be made new, and we will dwell in the kingdom with Jesus forever.

How to Use The Gospel Project Daily Discipleship Guide

Gather with your group for Bible study and fellowship. Use the Group Time in your Daily Discipleship Guide to follow along and participate in the session. Mark up the Scripture passages, answer the questions, fill in the blanks, do the activities, write out questions and thoughts—Make this guide yours!

At the conclusion of the session, use My Mission to respond to the truths from God’s Word. Choose at least one of the questions on the page to drive your response in faith, in community, and in mission for Jesus Christ, the center of God’s Word and our purpose in life.

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35Unit 16, Session 334 Daily Discipleship Guide

Day 2: Read Daniel 6:6-10

Faithfulness to God’s Word is not only difficult in our modern era, but it also puts us in direct contradiction to the expectations and rules of our contemporary context, whether spoken or unspoken. Because the days of cultural religiosity are dissipating, perhaps even gone, the basic expressions of Christianity are becoming increasingly offensive. Daniel’s example is a reminder that our obedience must not change though the world around us is changing. With full knowledge of the potential cost, Daniel chose to live by a higher law. God calls us to do the same.

Doing so will require us to resist justifying compromise with unbiblical excuses. Often, keeping our faith quiet or hidden seems reasonable, not because it is but because it is much easier. While we should strive to be good citizens whose presence blesses society, we should be unashamed in our determination to please God more than those around us. Our enthusiasm to serve our true King ought to be a constant reminder that this world is not our final home.

In what ways do you feel pressure to compromise your faith because of the standards in our world?


The Lord always protects His people. Daniel’s survival in the lions’ den is a vivid example of the relentless care and security God offers to us. This does not mean, however, that our outcomes after adversity will always be as favorable as what we read here. Stated differently, the trials we face in the immediate do not negate what God provides for us eternally. Though we praise the Lord when He meets an earthly need or provides deliverance, our confidence in Him must rest beyond what we can see with our eyes. Because nothing can separate us from the love of God, we know our Savior’s faithfulness is not circumstantial (Rom. 8:31-39). We do not fear those who can kill our bodies precisely because of our certainty that the heavenly Father protects our souls.

Trusting God may be a simple concept to grasp, but it is much more difficult to live. Knowing that our future is secure, however, helps us lift our gaze to eternity when the present is harsh or painful. Daniel was just as victorious before God saved him from the lions as he was afterward. And so are we—in view of our eternal well-being.

How do your circumstances today increase or diminish your confidence in God’s protection over your life?

Daily Study


Daniel’s elevation during Israel’s exile is inspiring. Under three unbelieving leaders, God’s servant remained faithful and righteous, earning him the trust of all he served. Not everyone, however, celebrates when the people of God function as salt and light in the world. The resistance Daniel faced is not unlike the open hostility that living as a Christian in the twenty-first century invites. Though God will use us to be a blessing to many, some enemies will resent and lash out at genuine faith. The more God elevates us, the greater the resistance likely will be.

Responding correctly to attacks like these requires tremendous confidence in God’s sovereignty over your life and an abiding contentment with His plans. The hatred of a few should not prevent us from blessing as many people as possible as we live by faith. Daniel’s commitment was unshakeable, much like the resolve of Jesus. We too must strive to live with complete integrity no matter the personal cost.

How has your service to the Lord been a blessing to others? How has it cost you?

Voices from Church History“ Satan comes as a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8-9) and uses our enemies to try to devour us (2 Tim. 4:17), but God can deliver us if it is for His glory. It is not always God’s will to deliver His children from danger; many Christians have given their lives in the place of duty. But what a reward they receive!” 4

–Warren Wiersbe (1929-2019)


Notes



The enduring impact of Daniel’s faithfulness to the Lord is as inspiring to us as it is instructive. After watching his servant emerge from the lions’ den unscathed, King Darius not only rejoiced but also worshiped Daniel’s God. Consider, for a moment, how remarkable it is that two pagan rulers voiced the eternal glory and power of Yahweh because of the witness of one man. The consistency and perseverance of Daniel were powerful tools for advancing God’s kingdom in a difficult place. His presence in Babylon was even instrumental in Israel’s return to their homeland.

Today, our lives possess similar potential. Though our eternal impact is rarely the result of magnanimous moments and accomplishments, the steady, constant witness of trusting God through all of life’s hills and valleys has profound influence on those around us. Ultimately, only eternity will reveal the full ripple effect of our commitments to Christ.

How do you want your life to make a difference for God’s kingdom?

Day 5: Read Acts 4:1-31

Boldly speaking the words of Christ and pointing others to Him can often be costly. Just as Daniel nearly died because of his faith, the early apostles faced threats and hardship because of their efforts to influence others. After Peter and John healed a lame man, religious leaders who could not deny the miracle accosted them anyway. This account is a reminder to us that just as prophets suffered persecution, circumstances will sometimes force us to choose between misunderstood obedience or sinful compromise (Matt. 5:11-12).

Yet we should not lose sight of the reality that the endurance of God’s faithful servants often results in the miraculous. The early church continued to grow exponentially because of their witness. Likewise, our resolve to be salt and light no matter the personal cost will bear eternal fruit. Regardless of how well known you might be, your life can make a significant difference in God’s kingdom. Insults and false accusations should never hinder our efforts to be Christ’s witnesses (Acts 1:8).

How are you being intentionally bold for Christ? How has God used your efforts?

Encourage One AnotherJoin together with 2-4 people from your group, or with your family, sometime during the week to reflect on the session and to share how God is working and you are responding.

Share your thoughts and reflections on the truths from Scripture in this session:

• God’s servant faithfully prays to the Lord (Dan. 6:6-10).

• God’s servant faithfully relies on the Lord for rescue (Dan. 6:13-23).

• God uses His servant to advance His kingdom (Dan. 6:25-27).

How have you responded to these truths from Scripture?

When has your Christian faith led to some form of conflict or tension on a social level?

Why is the church vital for helping us embrace our identity as a people distinct from the world in both belief and practice?

During the week following the session, use the five Daily Study devotions to build on the foundation laid during the “Group Time.” These devotions will help you get into God’s Word for yourself and take initiative in your own discipleship. Read the Scriptures, respond to the questions, and grow in the faith.

Finally, Encourage One Another provides a brief guide for small groups of 2-4 people to meet sometime during the week to reflect on the session and to share how God is working and they are responding. Meet up with a group once a week for fellowship, encouragement in the faith, and mutual accountability.

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God Sustains His People

Unit 16

Memory Verses

“If the God we serve exists, then he can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he can rescue us from the power of you, the king. But even if he does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”

–Daniel 3:17-18

Daniel


Date of My Bible Study: ______________________________ 11

1Unit 16, Session

Unit 16, Session 1

God’s Presence Sustains His People

SESSION IN A SENTENCE: God is present with His people and sustains them through trials so that He may be glorified through their faith.

BACKGROUND PASSAGE: Daniel 1–3

What is the worst crisis you have ever faced? For me, it was my son’s cancer diagnosis just two weeks shy of his fourth birthday. When the doctor said, “Leukemia,” my wife and I instantly froze in fear. In that moment, God seemed distant, and even uncaring. Little did we know, however, that the next three years would deepen our faith and broaden our awareness of God’s presence in our lives.

When have harsh realities in your life left you feeling as if God were distant and uncaring?

Sometimes God delivers His people out of their trials. After one hundred twenty-eight weeks of chemotherapy, today our son is cancer free and thriving. We praise the Lord for His gracious, healing touch that took our burden away. Even more importantly, however, we learned that God sustains us throughout our suffering regardless of its outcome. The lengthy duration of our family’s trial left us living in limbo for years before relief came. With no resolution in sight, God taught us that He is not only present when His people hurt but He is also enough. Having God in our lives is better than just having the results we desire.



Group Time

Point 1: God’s people have faith that He is all-powerful, sovereign, and good (Dan. 3:13-18).

13 Then in a furious rage Nebuchadnezzar gave orders to bring in Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar asked them, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is it true that you don’t serve my gods or worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 Now if you’re ready, when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, drum, and every kind of music, fall down and worship the statue I made. But if you don’t worship it, you will immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire—and who is the god who can rescue you from my power? ”

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. 17 If the God we serve exists, then he can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he can rescue us from the power of you, the king. 18 But even if he does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”

Life in Babylon was difficult for God’s exiles. In that land, narcissistic Nebuchadnezzar erected a pagan statue to his unrivaled authority, and that idol served as a test of the loyalty of the king’s subjects. “Bow or burn,” he said. Obviously, no dedicated follower of Yahweh could obey this idolatrous edict, regardless of the cost.

In what ways does our culture tempt us to compromise our faith?

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s image, communicating their profound faith in God’s sovereignty over and goodness in their lives. Though these men knew God could deliver them, their course of action was not dependent upon the certainty of what their Master chose to do. Foundational to their profound display of faith was the conviction that God is always working for the good of His children, even if it is not obvious how.

Faith: Genuine faith begins with a recognition and confession of the truth of

the _____________________, followed by a receiving of Christ as Lord and Savior of

one’s life. _____________________ faith is not _____________________ faith.



Point 2: God’s presence is with His people at their time of greatest need (Dan. 3:24-27).

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in alarm. He said to his advisers, “Didn’t we throw three men, bound, into the fire? ”

“Yes, of course, Your Majesty,” they replied to the king.25 He exclaimed, “Look! I see four men, not tied, walking around in the fire

unharmed; and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” 26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the door of the furnace of blazing fire and

called: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the Most High God—come out! ” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire. 27 When the satraps, prefects, governors, and the king’s advisers gathered around, they saw that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men: not a hair of their heads was singed, their robes were unaffected, and there was no smell of fire on them.

God powerfully brought these men out of their plight. When the Lord carries us through our adversities, whether by miraculous or ordinary means, His presence with us is undeniable. The records and experiences of God’s presence through trials remind us that never will we experience the coming storm of God’s judgment. Because of Christ’s sacrificial work on the cross, the fires of God’s wrath will never consume us.

How has God’s presence changed your outlook on trials, even when your circumstances remained the same?

The presence of a fourth man in the fire is a vivid reminder that God is present to comfort us on our most difficult days (see Isa. 43:1-3; 2 Cor. 1:3-5). Before the Lord delivered these men out of the fire, He chose to be with them in the fire. God does not always remove our troubles, but He remains active in them nonetheless. He refuses to forsake us when the path of difficulty is His chosen course for our lives. Had these three Jewish heroes remained in the fire to perish on that day, God would have stayed with them until the end.

Voices from Church History“ Rest assured, there will not be a saint then who will regret having suffered for Christ or borne reproach for His name’s sake; but there will be thousands who would give worlds, were they theirs to give, if they had been but more faithful and devoted while in this scene of testing.” 1

–H. A. Ironside (1876-1951)



Point 3: God’s glory is made known through the faith of His people (Dan. 3:28-30).

28 Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel and rescued his servants who trusted in him. They violated the king’s command and risked their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I issue a decree that anyone of any people, nation, or language who says anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will be torn limb from limb and his house made a garbage dump. For there is no other god who is able to deliver like this.” 30 Then the king rewarded Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

When Nebuchadnezzar observed the miraculous result of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s ironclad commitment to Yahweh, even to death, he could not ignore the majestic power and beauty of the true God. His decree gave testimony to the strength of Israel’s God, even though Babylon’s king remained thoroughly pagan. This incident underscores the profound witness the faith of God’s people can have on those around them. Our lives should always communicate that Christ is strong, good, and holy.

When have you witnessed God’s glory revealed through the faithful suffering of others?

The salvation of these men from the fire further amplified the worship of the true God. In their day, Gentiles from every people, nation, and language were to refrain from dishonoring Yahweh, who delivered His people like no false deity could. But one day, and even now, the nations will gather around the eternal throne of Jesus and take great joy in glorifying God’s sacrificial Lamb for the salvation He provided through the cross (Rev. 7:9-10).

What are some ways our faith in Jesus can result in praise to God among the nations?



Notes

My MissionBecause we have confidence that God is with us, we trust in God’s power as we embrace a countercultural lifestyle, regardless of what the immediate outcome may be.

• How do you need to live by faith in God, trusting that He will work for your good and not your harm?

• What are some ways your group/church can live a countercultural lifestyle for the sake of the gospel?

• What circumstances in your life, either past or present, can you use to point others to Christ?

Voices from the Church“ God has different purposes for His own, and He shows Himself strong and gains glory in different ways throughout each of our lifetimes. And if He allows suffering in our lives, He does for very specific, very important reasons, and He does not do so lightly!” 2

–Joni Eareckson Tada



Daily Study


The opening verses of Daniel set the stage for the theme of God’s sovereignty throughout the book. While we are prone to doubt the goodness of God when our circumstances take a turn for the worse, the mundane weariness of a fallen world can also take a toll on our faith. When the Lord dramatically intervenes in our lives, as is often the case in Daniel, it is easy to acknowledge His control over our circumstances. Navigating sustained difficulties or hardships, however, might leave us wondering if God is involved in our day-to-day lives. That is why the first chapter of Daniel is so encouraging.

During the traumatic exile of God’s people into Babylonian captivity, we see God protecting His people, honoring their obedience, and giving them favor with a pagan king. By refusing to eat the food given to them, Daniel and his friends took a great risk. Yet the Lord blessed their desire for righteousness and took care of them in a hostile situation. Long before three of these young Jews faced a fiery furnace, they watched God piece the small details of their lives together for good. Their willingness to trust Him when the pressure was on was largely a result of their faith through the ordinary happenings of their routine.

How can you better rest in God’s sovereignty over the daily frustrations you face?




The prophetic impact of Daniel 2 is just as significant today as it was originally because we are still looking for the final kingdom to be revealed—the messianic kingdom. With Babylon (head of gold), Medo-Persia (chest/arms of silver), Greece (legs of bronze), and Rome (feet of iron and clay) in our rearview mirror, we long for the coming of a new heaven and new earth where our Savior King will reign forever and ever. Until then, Daniel models how we should live in a fallen world.

With his life in jeopardy due to the king’s decree, Daniel sought the Lord faithfully in order to report and interpret the dream of Nebuchadnezzar. Ultimately, his ability to do so was the direct result of God’s mercy and goodness toward him and his friends (Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah). Realizing this, Daniel refused to boast or promote himself while speaking God’s words. In fact, he celebrated God’s power and glory so much that the king also declared that Daniel’s God was God of gods and Lord of kings (2:46). The faith of a faithful prophet revealed the glory of the Lord over all.

How can you better reveal God’s glory with the gifts He has given to you?


Despite witnessing the glory of Daniel’s God firsthand, wicked Nebuchadnezzar chose to erect a monument made of gold and commanded his people to bow and worship it. Though we cannot be sure whether the statue represented the king or one of his gods, it does seem clear that Nebuchadnezzar was declaring, contrary to his dream, that his kingdom would never end. Standing alone, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to insult the true God by kneeling before the idol. The logic behind their countercultural stand is still instructive today. These committed Hebrews were content to let God choose the course of their lives, knowing that He is good and trustworthy.

Why is it so difficult for us to do the same? Though God is able to prevent all things in our lives, we must learn to trust Him even if He chooses not to. Harsh circumstances should not limit our willingness to obey the Lord. If He, for reasons we cannot understand, allows our worst-case scenario to unfold, we must continue to believe that He is working for our ultimate good and for His divine glory.

What hardships in your life tempt you to disobey the Lord?




God is always present with His people. The incredible deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego illustrates this encouraging truth as vividly as any biblical passage. Though caught in a deadly fire, one of the worst circumstances imaginable, these three devoted servants of God were not alone, and possibly they were joined by the Son of God Himself. The comprehensive protection of God not only prevented their clothes from burning but also prevented the stench of smoke from following them out of the furnace.

Even when our outcomes are not so favorable, the abiding presence of God is just as certain. God is with us in the fire even if He does not allow us to come out of it. He comforts and cares for us when nothing about our lives makes sense. He will not forsake us even though the world does. He is there even though we cannot always see or feel how. We look forward to the day when God makes all things new and wipes away every tear from our eyes (Rev. 21:4). But until then, He remains faithfully by our side.

How confident are you of God’s presence in your life when you face great difficulties?


For the second time in the Book of Daniel, we observe Nebuchadnezzar exalting the God of Israel with elaborate praise. Through the lips of unbelievers, exclusive declarations magnified Yahweh as the only God worthy of worship. What caused these remarkable confessions? In a word, faith. Because Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego displayed faith under pressure, God’s beauty and majesty were clear to all. In addition, their salvation from the fire made His strength and power undebatable.

Our lives have the same potential. Remaining faithful while suffering will inspire others to follow our God. And oftentimes, the miraculous intervention of God in our lives while we hurt compels others to praise Him. Likewise, the transforming effect of salvation magnifies the reality that God has rescued us from the flames of hell. When it is obvious that God is at work, His name will be exalted among believers and unbelievers alike.

Does your life compel unbelievers to see God’s worth and glory? Why or why not?



Notes

Encourage One AnotherJoin together with 2-4 people from your group, or with your family, sometime during the week to reflect on the session and to share how God is working and you are responding.

Share your thoughts and reflections on the truths from Scripture in this session:

• God’s people have faith that He is all-powerful, sovereign, and good (Dan. 3:13-18).

• God’s presence is with His people at their time of greatest need (Dan. 3:24-27).

• God’s glory is made known through the faith of His people (Dan. 3:28-30).

How have you responded to these truths from Scripture?

When was the last time you reminded someone about God’s presence in his or her life?

When have you sensed God’s presence during a difficult time or season?



UNIT 16

SESSION 11. H. A. Ironside, Daniel: An Ironside Expository Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 1920, reprint 2005), 35.

2. Joni Eareckson Tada, A Place of Healing (Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2010), 70.

SESSION 21. C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York: HarperOne, 1980), 124.

2. John Mayer, Commentary upon All the Prophets, in Ezekiel, Daniel, ed. Carl L. Beckwith, vol. 12 in Reformation Commentary on Scripture: Old Testament (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2012) [Wordsearch].

3. Andrew Murray, Humility and Absolute Surrender (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2005), 27.

SESSION 31. Adapted from Anxious for Nothing, by John MacArthur (Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2012), 70-71.

2. Steve Gaines, Pray Like It Matters (Tigerville, SC: Auxano Press, 2013), x.

3. Angukali Rotokha, “Daniel,” in South Asia Bible Commentary, gen. ed. Brian Wintle (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2015), 1100.

4. Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 1993), 571.

CHRISTMAS SESSION1. Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African, vol. 2 (London: 1789), 159.

2. Joe Kapolyo, “Matthew,” in Africa Bible Commentary, gen. ed. Tokunboh Adeyemo (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006), 1135.

3. C. H. Spurgeon, “God with Us”, in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, vol. 21 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1876), 713.

SESSION 41. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures 15.1, quoted in Ezekiel, Daniel, eds. Kenneth Stevenson and Michael Glerup, vol. XIII in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Old Testament (IVP, 2013) [Wordsearch].

2. Mark Dever, The Message of the Old Testament (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2006), 667.

UNIT 17

SESSION 11. Johnny Cash, “God’s Gonna Cut You Down,” American V: A Hundred Highways (Santa Monica, CA: American, 2006).

2. Stephen Charnock, Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God (New York: Robert Carter and Brother, 1874), 94.

3. Robert Murray McCheyne, in The Works of the Late Rev. Robert Murray McCheyne, vol. 2 (New York: Robert Carter, 1847), 179-80.

4. Jeffrey Krantz, “The 10 Least Popular Books of the Bible,” Overview Bible, September 5, 2018, https://overviewbible.com/10-least-popular-books-bible-infographic.

SESSION 21. N. T. Wright, For All God’s Worth: True Worship and the Calling of the Church (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1997), 8.

2. A. W. Tozer, Worship: The Reason We Were Created—Collected Insights from A. W. Tozer (Chicago: Moody, 2017) [eBook].

SESSION 31. Elisabeth Elliot, On Asking God Why (Grand Rapids, MI: Revell, 1989), 142.

2. Yoilah Yilpet, “Haggai,” in Africa Bible Commentary, gen. ed. Tokunboh Adeyemo (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006), 1102.

3. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Meditations on Psalms, ed. and trans. Edwin Robertson (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002), 72.

SESSION 41. D. A. Carson, Scandalous: The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2010), 30.

2. “Zechariah,” in Africa Study Bible (Oasis International Ltd, 2016), 1352.

UNIT 18

SESSION 11. D. Wilson, “Obituary: The Rev. Basil Woodd,” in The Christian Observer, vol. 31 (London: J. Hatchard and Son, Piccadilly, 1831), 312.

2. John R. W. Stott, The Cross of Christ (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2006), 281.

SESSION 21. Crawford Loritts, Leadership as an Identity (Chicago, IL: Moody, 2009), 92.

2. Kathleen Nielson with D. A. Carson, Rebuild: A Study in Nehemiah (Nashville, TN: LifeWay Press, 2014), 36.

SESSION 31. Saint Augustine, Confessions, trans. Henry Chadwick (New York: Oxford University Press, 1991), 138.

2. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Joy Unspeakable, ed. Christopher Catherwood (Wheaton, IL: Harold Shaw Publishers, 1984), 205.

SESSION 41. John Piper, “What Is Worship?” Desiring God, April 29, 2016, https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/what-is-worship.

2. J. D. Greear, “Surrender,” JDGreear.com, June 18, 2019, https://jdgreear.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/5b-Joshua-5-13-15-Surrender.pdf.

3. Oswald Chambers, in The Quotable Oswald Chambers, comp. and ed. David McCasland (Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House, 2008) [eBook].

Notes


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A People Restored

God is faithful to His Word. He blessed His people with a land, but He also exiled them from it on account of their wicked hearts, just as He had said. Yet God continued to sustain the Israelites, showing Himself to be the one true God even in a foreign land. From kings, fire, and lions, the Lord preserved His servants and demonstrated His glory and power.

When the time of their exile was completed, God brought His people home to worship Him with a renewed faith. True to His promises, the Lord worked through kings, prophets, a priest, and the reading of His word to restore their land and their worship.

Though back in the promised land, God’s people still faced severe challenges that threatened their very existence. In the midst of these struggles, the Lord provided for His people. He appointed a queen “for such a time as this”; He led a man of faith to return home and rebuild a wall; and He worked through a prophet to call His people back to Himself. All this was preparation for the day God would provide His Son to save people from their sin.

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