Sermons

Sermon Description

The story of Shadrach, Mesach, and Abednego is one of the most memorable stories in the Bible. It is also one of the most misunderstood and misused. This story does inspire us to remain faithful to God even under pressure. But the more that  we truly see God’s faithfulness, the more we can find the courage to face life’s trials and temptations.

Discussion Questions

1. While we might not face something as extreme as this “bow or burn” tale, where do we face pressure to bow to false idols in our culture?

2. What temptations do you struggle with? Where might you be tempted to give in to temptation, even though it won’t necessarily help you avoid trials?

3. What trials are you currently facing? How does Jesus want to use his word and his people to reassure you of his love for you?

4. How is Jesus the real hero of the story of Daniel 3? How does keeping him as the focus actually empower us to live courageous lives?

Prayer Points

1. Pray that we would treasure Jesus more and more, so that we would have the courage to say “no” to temptation, and the strength to face life’s trials.

2. Pray that our courage and resolve would be a witness, even to people seemingly as far away from God as Nebuchadnezzar.

Humans—both ancient and modern—seek out knowledge and wisdom so that they can have some semblance of power and control in a chaotic and frightening world. True wisdom and power belong to God alone, and he gives them with those who come to him through Christ Jesus.

Discussion Questions

1. Consider the similarities between the story of Joseph (Genesis 37-50) and the story of Daniel. How is Daniel presented as even greater than Joseph? How would Daniel’s story be particularly encouraging to the Israelites in exile at the time?

2. When you are tempted to seek wisdom apart from Christ, what sorts of things grab your attention most easily? What would those who are closest to you say?

3. How can we encourage each other as we pursue wisdom from Christ and the Word of God? How can we encourage each other to treasure God’s Word more and more?

4. How can we share the gospel in the middle of a culture that seems to be declining or deteriorating? How might it encourage us when we remember that all earthly kingdoms decline?

Prayer Points

1. Pray for wisdom and might that comes from God alone. Pray for the ability to resist the allure of mere human knowledge and power.

2. Pray that your confidence and hope in Jesus would grow so that you are more excited and willing to share the gospel with others in your life.

Sermon Description

The book of Daniel tells the story of one of the darkest days in Israel’s history: the exile. Yet despite the difficulty of these days, we see that God is always working behind the scenes to bring about the hope of restoration. Because of this, we can remain faithful to God even while we live in a world that is not our final home.

Discussion Questions

1. What stood out to you from Daniel 1? What questions do you have? What are you hoping to learn or see as we study this book?

2. Why does the Apostle Peter call us “exiles” and “sojourners”? How does this help us to relate to the people of Israel in the exile?

3. Where are you tempted to compromise your faith in the little things? How does this story help us find the courage to be faithful even when it seems small?

4. When it comes to our sinful culture, are you more prone toward the fight impulse or the flight impulse? How does God want you to grow in faithfulness and service to your city?

Prayer Points

1. Pray that God would use our time in the book of Daniel to teach us how to live faithfully as exiles and sojourners in this present world.

2. Pray that we would seek the welfare of our city, and in so doing we would show the goodness of Jesus and the hope of the gospel to those in our lives who have yet to believe.

For Further Study

• Bible Project video on The Book of Daniel

• Introduction to Daniel | NIV Application Commentary by Tremper Longman

• Introduction to Daniel | Westminster Bible Companion by Choon-Leong Seow

Sermon Description

Proverbs 31 presents us with an idealized portrait of the wisest woman who ever lived. But when we look at idyllic people, our hearts are prone to either pride or despair. Only Jesus is the ideal; the rest of us are growing and making progress as we increasingly rely on his grace.

Discussion Questions

1. What misconceptions or misunderstandings have you had about Proverbs 31?

2. How is this idealized portrait of the “virtuous woman” intended to inspire and instruct us, not demoralize us? How can we help one another guard against both pride and despair?

3. Read Hebrews 10:11-18. What does vs. 14 mean when it says that we have been perfected, but are still being sanctified? How is this truth freeing and life-giving?

4. Where is God currently showing you your weaknesses and imperfections? Rather than ignoring them or explaining them away, how can they be used to grow in his grace?

Prayer Points

1. Pray that, in our efforts to pursue wisdom, we would not give place to pride or despair, but that we would increasingly fear the Lord and rely upon his grace.

2. Pray for opportunities to show non-Christians in our lives that we are not perfect people, but that we follow a perfect Savior.

When God speaks, it is an act of incredible power. As humans who are created in his likeness, our words also carry a great amount of power. People who truly know God will grow in wisdom in what they hear and what they speak.

Discussion Questions

1. Read Proverbs 18:21. Why do our words carry such power? Also, what does this verse not mean?

2. Of the various types of harmful words, which one(s) do you struggle with the most? Why is this type of speech able to snare you easily?

3. What does it mean that Jesus is the true Word of God? Why is this such incredibly good news for us?

4. How can we help one another to use our words in a God-honoring way, and in a way that builds others up? How might we need to grow in boldness to confront sinful words in our Christian brothers and sisters?

Prayer Points

1. Pray that God would give us godly restraint in our speech, and that we would use our words to bring God’s grace and life into the world.

2. Pray for opportunities to use our words to communicate the good news of Jesus with those who have yet to hear and believe.