IvoryEagle

Q5. (Daniel 6:4) What do we learn about Daniel's character qualities as a government official from verse 4? How do such qualities reflect on Daniel's God? Does your employer or supervisor see those qualities in you? NEW KING, OLD TACTICS: in order to get them out of the way (3:8; 6:13). DANIEL, LIKE FINE WINE, GOT BETTER WITH AGE AND SO DID HIS GOD! WHAT IS PERVASIVE IS THAT colleagues are jealous that Jews have been promoted…in order to get them out of the way (3:8; 6:13)…. Daniel, at an advanced age, has been appointed to a high position..Daniel, by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom….the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs...NEW LEADER, NEW PEOPLE, NEW JOB--SAME INSECURITIES AND STRATEGIES! GO FIGURE! As for the employer seeing the qualities; it depends upon whether the employer is self propelled or abdicate the judgment of employees to SECOND IN COMMAND. This is usually the chief of deceit, filtering out the good and replacing it with dissension for fear of being replaced.

Q4. (Daniel 3:28-30) How does Nebuchadnezzar sum up their faith and commitment? Are you willing to disobey a command or law to be faithful to God? Are you willing to lay down your life to be faithful to God? What might hold you back? NEBUCHADNEZZAR GOT IT RIGHT WHEN HE SAID: "...for no other god can save in this way.'"IN HIS SELF REVELATION, HE DID WHAT MOST LEADERS WOULD DO AT THE CHAGRIN IF THE COMPLAINERS: "Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon." (3:28-30) YES, to disobey a command in the face of Faith and fact is the only response to commitment to self and faith in God. Laying down my life to God is better than dying slowing in the slop of cowardice. There is no reason to hold back; life is about living comfortably in your own skin. Who could be comfortable living in a lie? THOSE WHO SEEK TO PLEASE OTHERS AND DOUBT GOD ARE eventually discarded any way, THEY SIMPLY DIE A SLOW DEATH... Pastor Ralph sums up beautifully: “That, of course, is the lesson of this story. Faithful believers are willing to die rather than betray God. Are you? Am I? Do we compromise where we should have stood firm? Do we avoid an issue, when we should face it fairly and steadfastly"--- IN A WORLD STRUGGLING WITH AN IDENTITY CRISIS; WE MUST ALL ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS DAILY

Q3. (Daniel 3:19-27) What effect does their deliverance have on their government official colleagues? What effect does it have on the king? What kind of glory does God receive? PEOPLE'S ATTITUDE CHANGES WITH THE WIND. GOD IS UNSHAKABLE & UNMOVABLE: Good or bad, attitude is no match for FAITH. It also proves that those attempting to deliver God’s people to a fiery furnace sometimes get burned themselves; you can’t hold a pig in the mud without getting muddy…PREPARE TO BE AMAZED; GOD IS ALL OF THAT AND MORE… Notice Nebuchadnezzar's sudden respect for "servants of the Most High God." As in today’s climate; RESULTS override rhetoric! GOD’S 'SHOW & TELL' EVEN'S ALL SCORES! GOD IS GLORY; NO ALLOCATION NEEDED!

Q2. (Daniel 3:16-18) How do the Jews answer Nebuchadnezzar? What is their attitude? How do they witness about their God? Do they face death with resignation or defiance? Characterize their faith. LOL!! THERE IS NO NICE WAY TO SAY NO TO SOMEONE CRAVING A YES: The Jews' response to the king isn't very respectful. Instead of flattering the king, they flatly refuse to comply….NO POWER CAN COMPETE WITH THE JEALOUS GOD (Exodus 20:3-5) FAITH IS NON NEGOTIABLE, BRING IT ON!

Q1. (Daniel 3:8-15) Why do the Jews' fellow government officials report them to Nebuchadnezzar? Why is the king so angry? What is his motivation to have people bow to the statue? THIS IS NOTHING NEW, IT HAPPENS IN THE WORKPLACE EVEN NOW: GETTING PEOPLE OUT OF THE WAY, MOTIVATED BY JEALOUSY! Human nature hasn't changed all that much in 2,500 years…. In spite of appearances, God is in control… Not willing to bow… pride was at stake… The key words here are "fall down" and "worship." Jealous government officials are watching the Jews… don't like "foreigners" getting better government positions… He has no respect for their God -- even though at one point he had honored Daniel's God (2:47). THE KING IS ANGRY BECAUSE he is afraid of losing control and his pride is at stake. The interesting thing is, he has already validated the power of 'their' God; it is how they got in the position of leadership. In the face of PRIDE, reasoning takes a vacation. GOD IS THERE TO SHOW HIM ONE MORE TIME!

Q3. (Daniel 2:44) What does verse 44 teach us about the kingdom that the God of heaven will set up? 44 In the time of those kings, What kingdom is this? The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever." When does this kingdom come? How is this related to Mark 1:15? "The time promised by God has come at last!" he announced. "The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!"~~Mark 1:15 When will it destroy all other kingdoms? 'The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.'" (Revelation 11:15)

(Daniel 2:27-28) How does Daniel show humility in this situation? HE MAKES IT CLEAR IT IS NOT HIM BUT GOD. How does he use this situation as an opportunity to witness before the king to his faith in God? MAKING IT PLAIN, NO MAN CAN DO IT. According to 1 Peter 5:5-6, should we try to exalt ourselves? If we do so, what will happen? 6 So put away all pride from yourselves. You are standing under the powerful hand of God. At the right time He will lift you up.

Q1. (Daniel 2:17-18) Why does Daniel ask his friends to "plead for mercy"? Because only God's Grace and mercy can accomplish what he has committed to do. The astrologers have already said it; "'There is not a man on earth who can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer. 11 What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among men.'" (2:7-11) Only, not the gods; it is THE GOD! According to Scripture, is intercessory prayer important? YES Is it effective? YES How can we implement intercessory prayer in our churches? MAKE IT A PRIORITY FROM THE TOP DOWN.

Q4. (Daniel 1:8-16) What is Daniel's first approach to eat a different diet? REQUEST A CHANGE INCLUDING OMISSION OF MEAT. What does he do when his first attempt failed? NEGOTIATED A TIME-DRIVEN COMPROMISE. What is his demeanor towards those over him? RESPECT & REASONING. In what ways do you think God affects the outcome of Daniel's request? CAUSED THE GUARD TO SOFTEN HIS HEART AND GIVE IT A TRY.

Q3. (Daniel 1:8-10) Why do you think Daniel took a stand concerning being defiled by the king's food and wine? CHANGING A NAME INVOLVES ONLY WORDS, WHICH CHANGE. Eating food literally changes the fabric of who he is, a sin against God, and ultimately, in his mind, reduces the quality of who he is as a person. How do you think eating the king's food would cause defilement to Daniel's conscience? A GOD THING: Eating the food food offered to idols takes a direct hit on his beliefs and God. What does this tell you about Daniel? STRONG BELIEVER with conviction regardless of the risk.

Q2. (Daniel 1:1-7) What changes did Daniel and his friends experience? LITERALLY RELOCATED and handled like cattle. What was their status in Jerusalem? FROM INFLUENTIAL FAMILIES.. In Babylon? NO STATUS, ONLY PROPERTY. What do you think was the effect of changing their names to Babylonian names? THEY WENT FROM NAMES OF HOPE & WORSHIP to names of SERVANTS. What impact might it have on them to be made eunuchs? NO WAY TO CONTINUE THEIR FAMILY LEGACY. Did they make compromises? YES, THEY ACCEPTED THE NAME CHANGE If so, why? SURVIVAL

Q1. (Daniel 1:1-5) 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? Yes, as I entered the workplace during racial and gender integration. Faith was not an issue, only differences. It felt like I was defending my right to exist and discussing the obvious. While faith was not discussed; it was heavily leaned on for my personal sanity.

Why do we sometimes get discouraged serving the Lord? THE NEED FOR IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION What does this exhortation contain to encourage and motivate us? OUR LIVING WILL NOT BE IN VAIN; WHEN IT IS OVER, GOD WILL BE GLORIFIED AND WE WILL BE RENEWED.

What does this passage teach us about Christ's coming? HE WILL COME WHEN THE FATHER IS READY AND NOT ONE MINUTE BEFORE. In what ways does it encourage us? WHATEVER WE ARE GOING THROUGH NOW; IT WILL CHANGE WHEN OUR RESURRECTED BODIES REPLACE OUR PHYSICAL BODIES.

Q3. (1 Corinthians 15:24-28) What does this passage teach us about the subordination of the Son to the Father? IT WAS AND IS A NON ISSUE WITH JESUS "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing...." (Philippians 2:6-7a) How can that be consistent with the doctrine of the Trinity? The doctrine of the Trinity declares that the Father and Son and Holy Spirit are equal in Person, but the Son and Holy Spirit are subordinate in role

Why do we sometimes get discouraged serving the Lord? IT APPEARS THAT THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE ARE HAVING FUN WITHOUT REGARD TO CONSEQUENCE. IT HAS BEEN SO LONG AND SO MANY HAVE DIED IN DEPRIVATION; IT JUST MAKES YOU WONDER. What does this exhortation contain to encourage and motivate us? ENCOURAGEMENT & DIRECTION; IT WILL NOT BE IN VAIN. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (15:58, RSV)

What does this passage teach us about Christ's coming? Suddenly In what ways does it encourage us? Pain free in new bodies Our text says: "... at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and and we will be changed." (15:51b-52a)

What I must learn from Jesus is humility, "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing...." (Philippians 2:6-7a) Subordination, placing myself under another person, is hard for my pride. But it follows the consistent example of Jesus -- even at the end. Hallelujah! Q3. (1 Corinthians 15:24-28) What does this passage teach us about the subordination of the Son to the Father? It is a non discussion; He is the "very nature of God..." How can that be consistent with the doctrine of the Trinity? God is "all that."

What is the core of the gospel according to this verse? Paraphrase it in your own words based on this passage. Receive the gospel. Believe Jesus died, Believe he was raised from the dead. Believe there were witnesses to this truth.

In what sense is our salvation dependent upon us continuing in faith? All is contingent on " if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you." Why is the doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints important for us to understand? "Otherwise, you have believed in vain." (15:1-2)" 1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached551 to you, which you received552 and on which you have taken your stand553. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain." (15:1-2)

How are Paul's instructions to those who speak in tongues in verses 27-28 similar to his instructions to those who prophecy in verses 29-32? People should not be left without understanding. How do they differ? Tongues require interpretation or should not be spoken. Speak to self and/or God only. How might we hold meetings today that allow for the Spirit to inspire spontaneous contributions to the gathered people? 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. "27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two -- or at the most three -- should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God." (14:27-28) "29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace." (14:29-33a)

Paul does value speaking in tongues. What does its value seem to be according to verses 2, 4, 17, and (perhaps) Romans 8:26-27? Unless it is interpreted; it is a form of personal prayer. How are the Corinthians abusing speaking in tongues? Speaking without interpretation thereby sending the wrong signal to "seekers."

What is the value of prophecy over tongues, according to verse 4? 3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. What does prophecy typically do to benefit the church, according to verse 3?4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church."

How are you hurt by the people who don't use their spiritual gifts for one reason or another? OTHERS HAVE TO CARRY AN EXTRA LOAD OR SOME MAY BE FORCED TO DO WITHOUT THE IMPACT OF THAT GIFT. How much richer would your congregation be if you -- and everyone else -- were to use their spiritual gifts? VERY RICH; PEOPLE ARE HAPPY WHEN ALL IS FOR ONE AND ONE IS FOR ALL. What might happen in people's lives? THEY HAVE A REASON TO SHOW UP SINCE OTHERS DEPEND ON THEM. What might be the community impact of your congregation? UNITED AND ENGAGED.

What are several lessons that we learn from verse 11? What is the role of the Holy Spirit in spiritual gifts? The Spirit has gifts specially suited to the way He has "wired" you. They are tailored to you. That doesn't mean you are now fully ready to minister them with power, but as you yield yourself to God you will be. The Holy Spirit distributes the gifts according to his own will and plan. You don't get to decide your destiny. God does. The verb is boulomai, "to plan on a course of action, intend, plan, will." The "4 Spiritual Laws" is true; God does have "a wonderful plan for your life" -- and it includes spiritual gifts. Without learning to use well the spiritual gifts God has for you, your life and future will be stunted, unfulfilled.