Life Group Questions 11/17/19
Sunday’s Sermon Text
Daniel 6:14–28
[14] Then the king, when he heard these words, was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel. And he labored till the sun went down to rescue him. [15] Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed.”
[16] Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” [17] And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. [18] Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him.
[19] Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. [20] As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” [21] Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! [22] My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” [23] Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. [24] And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.
[25] Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you. [26] I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel,
for he is the living God,
enduring forever;
his kingdom shall never be destroyed,
and his dominion shall be to the end.
[27] He delivers and rescues;
he works signs and wonders
in heaven and on earth,
he who has saved Daniel
from the power of the lions.”
[28] So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian. (ESV)
Summary: In moments of darkness and danger, the outcome is uncertain and yet with Daniel’s lens, trusting God opens our eyes to see Him at work and change our view of the situation, His character, others, and ourselves.
Observing the Text: Read Daniel 6:14-28
What is the climax of this passage? How can you tell?
How is this passage similar to the death and resurrection account of Jesus? [lowered into the ground, stone rolled over entrance, found at break of day, etc.]
Interpreting the Text:
What emotions would you have experienced if you were in Daniel’s shoes in this situation?
How is Daniel’s trust in God evidenced in the text?
Justin talked about having two sets of lenses: normal vision and night vision. How would you describe the difference?
Why do you think God does his best work in the dark? What is so challenging about this?
What’s a situation where you’ve experienced both lenses. First, the often visible reality of darkness, brokenness, and evil and second, night vision -the invisible reality of God, light, healing, and good.
When are you most tempted to only see by normal vision? What’s an area of life where you want to trust God for supernatural vision in the darkness?
Applying the Text:
How can you see through God’s lens as you enter a place of darkness this week?
What is God saying to you? What’s your next step?
To Announce:
Elder Installation Sunday - We invite you to celebrate with us this Sunday, November 24, as we install Fred Mok as an elder at Garden City Church!
Giving Tree - During the holiday season, Help One Child partners with churches and community partners throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties to bring the joy of Christmas to at-risk children. We ask that our church members choose an ornament with a person’s gift request from a local at-risk child, purchase that gift, and then bring it back by December 8! Check out the Giving Tree in the Lobby on Sunday!
Member & Prayer Meeting - Put January 8 on your calendar! We’ll gather as a church to pray and discuss what God has for us moving forward! One of the things we plan to discuss is where God is leading us in regards to church planting!
Membership Class - After service, on Sunday, November 24 from 5:30 - 7 PM, we'll have the membership class in the Seminar Room (upstairs in the youth wing adjacent to the youth room). Dinner provided. No childcare. Contact your LG leader or Fred Mok if you plan on attending! More info here.