sophie

Q4. (Daniel 1:8-16) What is Daniel’s first approach to eat a different diet? What does he do when his first attempt failed? What is his demeanor towards those over him? In what ways do you think God affects the outcome of Daniel’s request? Daniel asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself with the royal food. Failing which he requested (suggested) a dietary experiment, being submissive throughout his conduct. Daniel knew his place and also discerned the official's anxiety. He maintained genuine respect for the foreign authorities without short-changing God's preeminence. God blessed Daniel's request.

Q3. (Daniel 1:8-10) Why do you think Daniel took a stand concerning being defiled by the king's food and wine? How do you think eating the king's food would cause defilement to Daniel's conscience? What does this tell you about Daniel? To not take a stand against food defilement is to willingly sin against his conscience. Daniel feared God.

Q2. (Daniel 1:1-7) What changes did Daniel and his friends experience? What was their status in Jerusalem? In Babylon? What do you think was the effect of changing their names to Babylonian names? What impact might it have on them to be made eunuchs? Did they make compromises? If so, why? Daniel and friends were uprooted against their will, hurled away from loved ones into a strange land. Loneliness! One violation after another: status removed, freedom removed, names corrupted, bodies altered. They accepted changes on the outside, but remained faithful Jews on the inside. Meekness.

Have you ever made a rapid transition between your customary culture and a new and radically different culture? What did it feel like? Were you able to take your faith with you, or did it fade to the background during this time? Before entering university in another country, I was recently born again. I was warned by my Pastor's wife not to let my faith slip. She warned me about idols that would become snares and traps to my new faith. Unfortunately my faith slipped and faded into the background as pride, humanism, worldliness and materialism took root in my heart and became the true "gods" that I worshipped then.