Life Group Questions 11/3/19
Sunday’s Sermon Text
Daniel 5:13–31
Daniel Interprets the Handwriting
[13] Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king answered and said to Daniel, “You are that Daniel, one of the exiles of Judah, whom the king my father brought from Judah. [14] I have heard of you that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. [15] Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me to read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not show the interpretation of the matter. [16] But I have heard that you can give interpretations and solve problems. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”
[17] Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation. [18] O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father kingship and greatness and glory and majesty. [19] And because of the greatness that he gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whom he would, he killed, and whom he would, he kept alive; whom he would, he raised up, and whom he would, he humbled. [20] But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him. [21] He was driven from among the children of mankind, and his mind was made like that of a beast, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, until he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will. [22] And you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, [23] but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And the vessels of his house have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored.
[24] “Then from his presence the hand was sent, and this writing was inscribed. [25] And this is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN. [26] This is the interpretation of the matter: MENE, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; [27] TEKEL, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; [28] PERES, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”
[29] Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed with purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made about him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
[30] That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was killed. [31] And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old. (ESV)
Summary: In a spiritual wasteland, check your pride, know your history, and continue preaching the gospel; for seed can germinate in any season.
Observing the Text: Read Daniel 5:13-31
What are the different types of repetition in this passage? Give examples. Possible types include: repetition of phrases in the chapter, reference to previous chapters in Daniel, repetition of words in the passage, etc.
What synonyms or antonyms for pride appear in this passage?
Interpreting the Text:
What is the main point of Daniel’s sermon in V.17-23? What is the structure of Daniel’s sermon?
According to Daniel, what should Belshazzar have been aware of?
How would you be remembered after death? How does your reputation point others towards God? Away from Him?
Where are you believing the lie that you are self-made?
In Luke 12:15, Jesus says to the crowd regarding a dispute over inheritance “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” How does covetousness relate to pride?
Applying the Text:
How can you build God’s kingdom today and not your own?
What is God saying to you? What’s your next step?
To Announce:
Serve the City Team: Interested in helping reach our community and city through service? Join the Serve the City team. For more info, email amber.antle@outlook.com.
Mobile Pack - On Friday, November 15 from 6:30-8:30pm, we're looking for 50 people to help with this year's MobilePack! We're welcoming adults, children, and even your Life Group to serve together to "hand-pack nutritious MannaPack meals specifically designed to assist in reversing and preventing undernutrition." Sign up here.
Family Dedication - On November 17th, we celebrate Family Dedications. Family Dedications are a weekend where we celebrate dedicating families to the Lord. If you would like to have your family dedicated or for more information, please contact our Kids’ Director Cindy Garcia at cindy@gardencitysv.com by November 14th.
Membership Class 5:30 - 7 PM - After service, on Sunday, November 24, 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.