SOURCE FOR QUESTIONS
Daniel 1:1 through 3:30

‍KEY VERSE FOR MEMORIZATION
“And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.” (Daniel 1:19-20)

BACKGROUND

As the prophets Jeremiah, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah had warned, Israel’s continued sinning eventually led to God’s judgment, and the Babylonians were the instrument God used to administer that judgment. In 605 B.C., the armies of King Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah. Daniel, a young man at the time, was among the first group of Jews carried into exile after Nebuchadnezzar’s armies plundered and subdued Jerusalem. 

Living in a pagan and idolatrous culture, Daniel maintained his integrity and allegiance to the one true God. His faithful service to the Lord in a land and culture not his own makes him an exemplary figure in Scripture.

Sometime after the overthrow of Babylon in 539 B.C., Daniel recorded his experiences and prophecies for his fellow exiles, reminding them that God had orchestrated the events of world history according to His sovereign will, and encouraging them with God’s promises of restoration in the final stage of His Kingdom. The first six chapters of the Book of Daniel are historical in nature and concern Daniel’s life in Babylon under three administrations. The remainder of the book records Daniel’s revelations concerning Israel and various world empires. 

Chapters 1-3 of the Book of Daniel are a part of the historical narrative that opens the book. Nebuchadnezzar commonly enrolled the brightest and most talented youth from conquered nations in a program indoctrinating them in the language and culture of Babylon, with the intent of equipping them to serve in his realm. The text for this lesson recounts the challenges Daniel and other Jewish captives encountered in their early years in the Babylonian kingdom, revealing how they proved their commitment to God, and how He stood with them and delivered them in times of crisis.

QUESTIONS

1. Chapter 1 begins the account of Daniel and his three companions who were among the captives taken to Babylon. As part of their indoctrination, the young men were given a specialized diet that included a daily provision of “the king’s meat.” However, Daniel and the others named did not want to defile themselves by eating of this meat, likely because it had been offered to idols and so was unlawful for a Jew to eat. What did Daniel request of the person in charge of their care, and what was the outcome? Daniel 1:8-15
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2. Daniel and his companions in exile held strongly to their principles. Verse 8 indicates that Daniel “purposed in his heart” not to defile himself by eating the specific foods provided for them by the command of the king. What can we learn from this account regarding the importance of establishing and staying true to our religious convictions? 
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3. Like Daniel, we live in an environment where ungodliness and immorality are pervasive. What are some aspects of society that could destabilize your Christian values or potentially “defile” your conscience? What are some steps you can take to avoid being contaminated?
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4. Chapter 2 recounts King Nebuchadnezzar’s troubling dream and the impossible demand he made of his wise men regarding its interpretation. Daniel and his companions were not among the wise men initially summoned before the king, but according to verse 13, they were among those to be slain. In what ways was the providential care of God apparent in this incident? Daniel 2:14-19
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5. Verses 24-45 of Daniel 2 describe Daniel’s confident claim regarding the king’s dream and his subsequent interpretation of it. The image in the dream was a prophecy of the future Gentile world powers. Looking back through the history of the world, what can we conclude about earthly governments? Why is verse 34 important to us as believers?
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6. Chapter 3 describes King Nebuchadnezzar’s self-glorifying image, the edict for all to bow down to it, and the refusal of the three Hebrews to do so. The wording in verses 8 and 12 implies that the “certain Chaldeans” who brought the charges against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were resentful that these conscripts from a conquered nation held positions above them in authority. What three charges did the Chaldeans make against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and how did Nebuchadnezzar react to the accusations? Daniel 3:12-13
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7. Though King Nebuchadnezzar was enraged when informed that the three Hebrews had not bowed, he offered them a chance to reverse their position (see verse 15). However, he made clear that if they refused again, they would immediately be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. What are some of the rationalizations the Hebrews could have come up with in order to obey the king and avoid this terrible fate had their trust in God not been so strong?
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8. The threatened punishment for not bowing before Nebuchadnezzar’s image was immediately enacted. The fact that the three Hebrews were “bound in their coats” and the furnace was heated “exceeding hot” (verses 21-22) shows that everything was done to ensure the three men would be quickly and completely consumed. What details found in Daniel 3:20-27 prove the supernatural nature of the three Hebrews’ deliverance?
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9. While the deliverance of the three Hebrews from Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace was a mighty miracle, not every believer throughout the ages of history has been delivered. Many have suffered intense persecution and have given their lives for their faith. Why do you think God miraculously intervenes for some of His followers, but not for others?
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10. How might the experiences and example of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in today’s text help you deal with the challenges in your life? 

CONCLUSION

Do we hold so strongly to our faith in God that whatever happens, we will do what He says? Such conviction helps us overcome temptation and gives us wisdom and stability in changing circumstances. Let’s purpose to prayerfully live out our convictions in everyday life and trust God for the results!