The students will be able to explain that the four Hebrew boys were wiser and healthier than the others in their group because they put God first. They will recognize that God blesses us when we choose to follow Him.
Introduction: Bring a collection of pairs of things to illustrate making choices. Some possibilities: red and green construction paper, two kinds of match-box cars, picture of beach and mountains. Explain that these are in-significant choices—but the choice between right and wrong has eternal consequences.
Progression of Events:
Climax: The king recognized the superior abilities of the four and found them ten times wiser than his wise men.
Conclusion: God's blessing was upon these young men for choosing to do right. He will bless us, too, when we choose to obey Him.
Response:Your students will be able to retell how the four Hebrew boys took their stand to do right. They will be able to tell of some instances in this day when they may be faced with making a choice between right and wrong.
Upon Solomon's death, the nation of Israel was divided into two kingdoms. The northern kingdom was called Israel and the southern kingdom was called Judah and was ruled by David's descendants (1 Kings 12). God promised to bless both these nations if they would obey but they each persisted in disobedience. Because of this God sent foreign armies to chastise them. On approximately 721 B.C., the king of Assyria captured and deported the northern kingdom of Israel and they never returned (2 Kings 17:17-23). Although the southern kingdom of Judah had several revivals they also persisted in evil and in approximately 587 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, destroyed the city of Jerusalem and deported the people (2 Kings 25:8-11, 20-21).
The fall of Judah actually came in three stages. The first in 605 B.C. (2 Chronicles 36:5-7), the second in 597 B.C. (2 Chronicles 36:9-10), and the final destruction in 587 B.C. (2 Chronicles 36:14-20). Daniel and the three Hebrew children were taken captive during the first phase in 605 B.C. (Daniel 1:1).
The first mention of the city of Babylon in the Bible is in Genesis 10:10. The city was founded by Nimrod and was the center of rebellion against God. However, not until 605-562 B.C. did the city reach its full glory under the reign of Nebuchadnezzar. Under his building program the city was enhanced by vast fortifications, wide streets, canals and temples. It was truly a magnificent city. Nebuchadnezzar himself said, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?" (Daniel 4:30). After Cyrus conquered Babylon in 539 B.C., the city began to decay and eventually was only ruins (Jeremiah 51:8-9). In the Book of Revelation, Babylon is pictured as the capital city of all those who are in rebellion against God.
Daniel and the three Hebrew children, although intent upon keeping themselves pure from the spiritual contamination of this idolatrous city, were not at all reticent about being involved in the political and cultural affairs of the society in which they found themselves. In fact, during Daniel's long life, he exerted great influence on three of history's greatest world rulers, Nebuchadnezzar, Darius and Cyrus.
Thought: The boys were wiser and healthier because they put God first.
Example: A review could depict making choices about trying cigarettes or alcohol and the end result—cancer or alcoholism. Daniel did not defile himself with things God could not bless. We should not defile ourselves with these things God cannot bless.
Tell the story of Daniel and the three Hebrew children. Then have some pictures of what can happen to our bodies if they are defiled with sin. Pictures of jails, hospitals, etc. Explain that drug abuse, alcohol, etc. can put people there, but everyone that goes to hell is not necessarily "defiled" in a visible way.
Playing it Safe—How the Hebrew boys didn't want to partake of something they didn't feel was right.
Bring a mousetrap in a bag. Tell students that it may or may not be set. Does someone want to take a chance of getting hurt by reaching into the bag? Use the analogy that sometimes we may do things which we don't know whether they are right or wrong, but we go ahead anyway, and unhappy consequences may follow. The best rule to follow when we don't know something is right, is don't do it. If we have any doubts at all, stop immediately. Whenever we do something wrong, it not only hurts us, but it may hurt others too. So we should do only what we know is right, and don't do anything about which we have doubts. The Hebrew boys didn't take any chances—they did what they felt was right and the Lord delivered them.
Set a fancy table with an idol in the background and offer food to the idol. Invite a friend over who refuses to eat the food and explain why not. It is possible the food which the king ate had been offered first to idols, and certainly had not been prepared according to the Jewish Levitical purity laws.
Have a role play of the story by the children.
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