Sermon Guide

with Family Discussion

August 10: Daniel 2

What stood out to you most from the sermon? Why?

Share a time when you felt like you needed to be in control of a situation. How did it turn out?

Key Takeaway:

1. God is in ultimate control of all events and kingdoms.
2. Our lives are part of God's larger story, not our own independent narratives.
3. True wisdom and understanding come from God, not human efforts.
4. Jesus (the "stone" in Nebuchadnezzar's dream) will ultimately establish his eternal kingdom.

Family Discussion Questions:

Tips for Leading the Conversation: Use “I wonder…” which invite kids to explore ideas through imagination and open-ended questions. Encourage them to draw their thoughts, act out a part of the story, or share something from their own, Mix story questions (“what happened?”) with personal application (“what does that mean for you?”)

1. It’s Not Your Story, It’s God’s: Think of a time when something didn’t go your way. How can we show God we trust Him in all things?
2. Daniel’s Thoughtful Response: Daniel handled a scary situation quietly and wisely—what would you do if you were in a hard spot? How can we learn to stay calm and make good choices when things feel stressful? Discuss the significance of Daniel praising God before revealing the dream's interpretation. How can we prioritize worship in our own lives?
3. Saying Thank You Right Away: Daniel praised God as soon as he understood the dream. Why is it good to thank God quickly when good things happen to us?
4. Castles That Don’t Last: In one dream, the king’s kingdoms changed and disappeared. That reminds me that money, fame, and power don’t last forever. What is something that does last forever?
5. The Only Empty Tomb: Every king dies and stays in a tomb, but Jesus’ tomb is empty because He’s alive forever. How does that change what you trust in most—what lasts forever?

Discussion Questions:

1. How does understanding that "it's not your story" change your perspective on current challenges in your life?
2. The sermon mentions Daniel's calm demeanor in a crisis. How can we cultivate that kind of trust in God during difficult times?
3. Discuss the significance of Daniel praising God before revealing the dream's interpretation. How can we prioritize worship in our own lives?
4. How does the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream (the statue and the stone) encourage you about God's ultimate plan?
5. The pastor mentioned living "in such a way that reflects that you know that he's in control." What might this look like in your daily life?
6. If you live today for what will still matter in 10,000 years, how might this change your priorities?

Practical Applications:

1. This week, when faced with a challenge, pause and remind yourself "It's not my story" before responding.
2. Practice starting your prayer time with praise, following Daniel's example.
3. Identify one area of your life where you're trying to maintain control. Commit to surrendering it to God this week.
4. Look for opportunities to "pursue the well-being of the city" as mentioned in Jeremiah 29. How can you positively impact your community?

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 Sermon Guide

August 17: Daniel 3

What stood out to you most from the sermon? Why?

Key Takeaway:

1. God can deliver us, but even if He doesn't, we should still trust Him because it's His story, not ours.
2. Real trust isn't just believing God can save you; it's believing He's still good even if He allows your worst fear to become reality.
3. Peace is not the absence of trouble; it's the presence of God.
4. Our faith is tested not just in big moments, but in daily choices to stand firm when pressured to compromise.

Family Discussion Questions:

Tips for Leading the Conversation: Use “I wonder…” which invite kids to explore ideas through imagination and open-ended questions. Encourage them to draw their thoughts, act out a part of the story, or share something from their own, Mix story questions (“what happened?”) with personal application (“what does that mean for you?”)

1. How does the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego help us understand faith when things are hard? Have you ever had to do the right thing, even when it was scary or hard? What helped you be brave?
2. The three friends trusted God, even if He didn’t save them. How can we learn to trust God like that? What does it mean to trust God, even when things don’t go our way? Can you think of a time you had to do that?
3. How can we stand up for what we believe without being mean to others? Is it possible to be kind and loving while still doing what’s right? How?
4. How can friends or church help us when it's hard to do the right thing? Who helps you when you feel pressure to do the wrong thing? How can we help others?
5. In the fire, someone like Jesus was with the three friends. What does that tell us about God? What does it mean that Jesus is always with us, even when life is scary or hard?

Discussion Questions:

1. God can, but even if he doesn't, I'll still trust him because it's his story, not mine. How do you find this concept challenging or comforting in your own life?
2. Share a time when you faced pressure to compromise your faith or values. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience?
3. How does the idea that "peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God" change your perspective on difficulties you're currently facing?
4. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn't have a promise from God about what would happen. How can we cultivate faith that stands firm even without specific promises or guarantees?
5. In what areas of your life do you find it most challenging to "stand" rather than "bow" to cultural or social pressures?
6. How does the image of Jesus in the fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego impact your view of God's presence in your own struggles?

Practical Applications:

1. Identify one area in your life where you're struggling to trust God. Commit to praying about it daily this week, focusing on God's character rather than specific outcomes.
2. Write down your own "God can, but even if He doesn't..." statement. Share it with a trusted friend or your small group for accountability and encouragement.
3. Practice being more aware of God's presence this week. Set reminders to pause and acknowledge God's presence with you throughout your day, especially in challenging moments.
4. Reflect on a past difficulty where you now see how God was present or working. Share that testimony with someone who needs encouragement.
5. Choose one situation this week where you might be tempted to "bow" to pressure. Make a conscious decision to "stand firm" instead, and share the experience with your group next time.

 Sermon Guide

August 24: Daniel 4

What stood out to you most from the sermon? Why?

Key Takeaway:

1. God works in our lives even when things aren't going well.
2. No one is too far gone for God's saving grace.
3. We should approach others with both grace and truth, as modeled by Daniel.
4. Our response to God's work in our lives matters.
5. God is patient and gives opportunities for repentance.

Discussion Questions:

1. God works best by making our lives not work. Have you experienced this in your own life? How did it lead you closer to God?
2. Reflect on Daniel's approach to King Nebuchadnezzar. How did he balance truth and grace? Why is this balance important in our interactions with others?
3. Is there someone in your life you've considered "too far gone" for God's saving grace? How does King Nebuchadnezzar's story challenge this perspective?
4. The sermon emphasized that how we respond to God matters. What are some ways we can actively respond to God's work in our lives?
5. How does the story of King Nebuchadnezzar demonstrate God's patience and desire for repentance? How might this impact how we view our own struggles or those of others?
6. It's impossible for us to be full of grace and truth without being full of Jesus. What does this mean to you practically? How can we cultivate this in our daily lives?

Practical Applications:

1. Identify one person in your life who you've considered "too far gone" and commit to praying for them daily this week.
2. Practice balancing grace and truth in your interactions this week. Reflect on situations where you tend to lean too heavily on one or the other.
3. Set aside time each day to read and meditate on a verse from Scripture, allowing it to shape your thoughts and actions throughout the day.
4. Reflect on areas in your life where you might be building your own kingdom instead of submitting to God's. What steps can you take to surrender these areas to Him?
5. Share with the group next week about an opportunity you had to extend grace and truth to someone, especially in a challenging situation.
6. If you're struggling with feeling distant from God, take time to “look up to heaven" like Nebuchadnezzar did. Journal about what you see of God's character and how it applies to your situation.

 Sermon Guide

August 31: Daniel 5

What stood out to you most from the sermon? Why?

Have you ever ignored a clear warning or piece of advice? What happened as a result?

Key Takeaway:

1. Belshazzar's downfall came not from lack of information, but from his unwillingness to apply what he knew.
2. God is patient and merciful, but He will not ignore sin forever.
3. Our eternal destiny depends not just on what we know, but on what we do with that knowledge.

Discussion Questions:

1. What parallels do you see between Belshazzar's attitude and modern society's approach to God?
2. We often think warnings don't apply to us. Can you think of examples where you've seen this mindset in yourself or others?
3. How does the image of being "weighed on the scales" impact your understanding of God's judgment?
4. Discuss the statement: "It's not that you know that matters. It's what you do with what you know that matters." How does this apply to our faith?
5. How does God's patience and desire for repentance shape your view of God's character?
6. What are some ways we might be creating a "third category" in our approach to faith?

Practical Applications:

1. Self-reflection: Take time this week to examine areas in your life where you might be ignoring God's warnings or guidance.
2. Action step: Identify one piece of biblical knowledge you've been neglecting to apply and commit to putting it into practice.
3. Sharing faith: Consider how you can communicate the urgency of responding to the gospel to someone in your life.
4. Gratitude exercise: Reflect on and thank God for His patience and mercy in your own life.

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