Life Group Questions 9/8/19
Sunday’s Sermon Text
Daniel 2:17–30
[17] Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, [18] and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. [19] Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. [20] Daniel answered and said:
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
to whom belong wisdom and might.
[21] He changes times and seasons;
he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to those who have understanding;
[22] he reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what is in the darkness,
and the light dwells with him.
[23] To you, O God of my fathers,
I give thanks and praise,
for you have given me wisdom and might,
and have now made known to me what we asked of you,
for you have made known to us the king's matter.”
[24] Therefore Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will show the king the interpretation.”
[25] Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste and said thus to him: “I have found among the exiles from Judah a man who will make known to the king the interpretation.” [26] The king declared to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?” [27] Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, [28] but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these: [29] To you, O king, as you lay in bed came thoughts of what would be after this, and he who reveals mysteries made known to you what is to be. [30] But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind. (ESV)
Summary: Receive God’s love, repent of pride, pray in God’s wisdom and might. Let yourself be loved. Join with Daniel in his highest priority: bearing explicit witness to God.
Observing the Text: Read Daniel 2:17-31. What is the climax of this passage? What are the tension points?
[there’s no one right answer on this as arguments can be made for various points and tension is throughout since we don’t have it resolved until later in the chapter]
Reference Daniel’s poem in 2:20-23. What are the repeated words/phrases? How does God exhibit His character in the poem?
[This poem is about God’s wisdom and might - V.19 and V.23. V.21a details His power - setting up and removing kings and V.21b-22 is about how God gives wisdom]
Interpreting the Text: What’s the relationship between God’s might and wisdom?
How does Daniel find agreement with the king and proclaim God’s power in V.27-30?
In V.17, Daniel immediately finds his friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah to explain their dire predicament. How do you find/make/become companions like this?
What do you learn about prayer from V.17-23? How can you grow in savoring God through prayer?
V.27 acknowledges the impossible nature of the task facing Daniel and the royal court. V.28 starting with “But there is a God in heaven. .” indicates a contrary reality. What is the impossible task or situation you’re struggling with today? What is the nature of God in this situation?
Applying the Text: In light of the presence of God in heaven, what risk do you want to take this week?
What is God saying to you? What’s your next step?
To Announce:
This Sunday 9/15 Garden City Worship Album Release + 8th Church Anniversary: 8 is great! Celebrate our Garden City worship album release and 8 years as a church with a catered dinner celebration after service!
Women’s Hike or Coffee Break on Sat 9/21 @ 9:30 - 11:30 AM: We want to foster deep, meaningful friendships among the women of the church. Leave distractions behind for a couple hours and share experiences through hiking or coffee. Women can RSVP here and details will be emailed.
College Mentorship Program: Mentoring is one way we grow disciples. College is a pivotal season of growth and we want to help in the journey of formation for young adults. This is a monthly 1-hour commitment to meet in-person with a college students. Meet & Greet Mentoring Kick-Off on Sun 9/8 (no Meet & Greet this Sun 9/1). For more details about becoming a mentor or if you’re a college student interested in being mentored, go here.
All-Church Retreat on Oct. 25-27, 2019 Registration is here and Talent Show Sign-Up: Come make memories with your church family as you are refreshed and renewed in your love for Jesus! See registration page for more details. Interested in performing for the talent show on Fri 10/25, sign up here: retreat@gardencitysv.com