Maryland

In The Den - Week 7: Rescue

In Daniel 9, we read about Daniel realizing that the time of exile is almost over. Surprisingly, he isn’t happy about it but Daniel knows that all exiles need to be rescued.

IMPACT CARD

Icebreaker: What was/is your nickname and why?

Reading: Daniel 9

Discussion Questions:

  1. How has your idea of “sin” changed over your life? What thoughts or words come to your mind when you hear the word “sin?”

  2. In Daniel’s prayer, he did not say “they” but instead said “we.” Do you find yourself struggling with an “us vs them” attitude? What can we learn from Daniel?

  3. How is your prayer life? What struggles do you have with prayer?

  4. God’s rescue plan is far greater than the captivity. What captivity has God freed you from that when you look back, you can see God’s blessings?

  5. Are you in captivity now that you need rescue from?

In The Den - Week 3: The Furnace

Daniel 3 tells us the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: exiles who would not conform or become compliant but would stay true to their convictions. Exiles eventually go into the furnace, but we never go in alone.

IMPACT CARD

Icebreaker: If you could go back to any time place and time period, when and where would you go?

Reading: Daniel 3

Discussion Questions:

  1. How is Satan a counterfeit God? How does he counterfeit sin?

  2. When facing a furnace in life, we can confront, become compliant, and stick to our convictions. What times in your life have you done any of the three?

  3. Do you believe that God can save you and God will save you? What makes it hard at times to believe? What can you do to help yourself believe?

  4. What is “Even If” faith and why is it important?

  5. How have you seen the furnace reveal things in your life and refine things in your life?

  6. Are you in a furnace now? If so, how have you felt God’s presence in the furnace?

In The Den - Week 2: Kingdoms

In Daniel 2, Daniel interprets King Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Through this interpretation, we learn that all kingdoms, including our own, will surrender to God's kingdom.

IMPACT CARD

Icebreaker: What is your favorite movie and show of all time?

Reading: Daniel 2

Discussion Questions:

  1. When Daniel interpreted the King’s dream, God was taking a pagan ritual and using it for God’s glory. Have you ever been in situations similar to this?

  2. What kingdoms do you find yourself building in your life that compete with God’s kingdom?

  3. How do our kingdom’s compete with God’s kingdom?

  4. Read Daniel 2:28. What does “but there is a God” mean to you?

  5. How can you practically start surrendering to the right kingdom? What things do you need to surrender in order to participate in God’s kingdom?

In The Den - Week 1: Exiles

Do you ever feel like you don’t belong? Do you ever feel like an outsider? Maybe it is because we are called to be an exile. The book of Daniel shows us exactly how to be a godly person in a godless culture.

IMPACT CARD

Icebreaker: What places have you lived in your life?

Reading: Daniel 1

Discussion Questions:

  • Has there ever been a time where you felt like an outsider?

  • When culture pushes us away from Christ, it is easy to panic or to blend in. Which one do you find yourself tempted to do more? Give examples of you giving into that temptation.

  • What is an exile? In what ways can changing our attitude to that of an exile change our faith?

  • The spirit of Babylon separates and indoctrinates. How have you experienced both of those things in your life?

  • How can we bless when we are in Babylon?