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4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 19, Session 1: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God TEACHER BIBLE STUDY God’s people had been warned. The prophets had come with messages from God: “Turn from your sin, and turn back to God!” But the people did not listen. The nation of Judah was consumed by idol worship; the kings did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. So God kept His word—He allowed His people to be taken from their land. They became captives in the enemy nation of Babylon.

Nebuchadnezzar was the king of Babylon, the strong and powerful nation that overtook Judah’s capital of Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar carried the treasures of Judah away to Babylon. Even the holy vessels of God’s temple were taken. Daniel was a young man in Judah when this happened. He might have heard about the prophet Isaiah’s warnings; now he witnessed their fulfillment. (See Isaiah 39:5-7.)

King Nebuchadnezzar called for the best young men from Judah to be trained for service in the palace. Among these teens was Daniel and three of his friends. The chosen boys were given new identities—new names, new education, new culture. They were indoctrinated to be good Babylonians. But Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah stayed faithful to the one true God and refused to make themselves unclean by eating the king’s food.

God was pleased with Daniel and his friends, and He blessed them. God gave them wisdom and knowledge. They were smarter than all the other young men in Babylon, and the king recognized their gifts. Daniel’s obedience to God led to his favor with King Nebuchadnezzar, and Daniel’s life would be a testament to God’s control over all things.

Throughout their exile, God did not forget His people. God’s people could trust Him. They had God’s promise through the prophets that He would bring them back to their homeland and set up a new kingdom. Daniel lived about 600 years before Jesus—the perfectly obedient promised One. We can trust that Jesus will return someday to set up His kingdom forever.

LESSON OVERVIEW/SCHEDULE Session Title: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God Bible Passage: Daniel 1 Big Picture Question: What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God. Key Passage: Daniel 6:27 Unit Christ Connection: Despite captivity, God used faithful people to continue His plan to provide salvation through Jesus Christ.

Transition Time Welcome time Activity Sheet/Table Centers Session starter (10 minutes)

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 19, Session 1: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God

Lesson Countdown Introduce the session (2 minutes) Timeline map (2 minutes) Big picture question (1 minute) Tell the Bible Story (10 minutes) The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional) Key passage (5 minutes) Discussion starter video (4 minutes) Sing (4 minutes) Prayer (2 minutes)

Table Time Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes) Key passage activity (5 minutes) Activity choice (10 minutes) Prayer (5 minutes)

THE BIBLE STORY/OVERVIEW

Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God Daniel 1

Nebuchadnezzar (neb yoo kad NEZ uhr), the king of Babylon, went with his army to Jerusalem. At this time, Jehoiakim (jih HOY uh kim), son of King Josiah, was the king of Judah. God allowed King Nebuchadnezzar to take over the city. Nebuchadnezzar took things from God’s temple back to Babylon. He put them in the temple where he worshiped a false god. King Nebuchadnezzar told the man in charge of his leaders to bring some of the people to Babylon too. He wanted boys who were healthy, handsome, and good learners. Nebuchadnezzar wanted the boys to serve in his palace. He wanted them to learn the Babylonian language. Every day, King Nebuchadnezzar gave the boys a special diet. They ate the same food and drank the same drinks that the king ate and drank. The king planned to train the boys for three years before they became his servants. Four of the boys who came from Judah were different than the others. They worshiped the Lord, the one true God. Their names were Daniel, Hananiah (HAN uh NIGH uh), Mishael (MISH eh uhl), and Azariah (az uh RIGH uh). The man in charge of the boys gave them new Babylonian names. Daniel’s new name was Belteshazzar (bel tih SHAZ uhr). Hananiah’s new name was Shadrach (SHAD rak). Mishael’s new name was Meshach (MEE shak), and Azariah’s new name was Abednego (uh BED-nih goh). Even though they weren’t in Judah anymore, Daniel still wanted to obey God. God’s laws told Daniel what he could and could not eat. Daniel was not allowed to eat some of the food that the

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 19, Session 1: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God

king gave the boys every day. Daniel asked the man in charge for permission to eat other foods, but the man in charge was afraid. “If you don’t eat the king’s food, you will get thin. You won’t be strong like the other young men. The king might get angry with me and kill me!” he said. Daniel said to the guard, “Try this for 10 days. Let us eat only vegetables, and let us drink only water. Then see if we are healthier than the other young men.” The guard agreed to change their diet for 10 days. At the end of 10 days, Daniel and his friends looked healthier than the young men who had eaten the king’s food. After that, the guard allowed Daniel and his friends to keep drinking water and eating vegetables. God was happy that Daniel obeyed Him. God blessed Daniel and his friends. He made them wise and smart. They learned lots of new things. God gave Daniel the ability to understand visions and dreams. When their three years of training was over, Daniel and his friends stood before the king. The king talked to them and saw that they were smarter and stronger than all the other young men. They were even smarter than the wise men who worked for the king. Daniel stayed and served the king for many years.

Christ Connection: Daniel chose to obey God no matter what. God blessed Daniel and his friends. Daniel wasn’t perfect, but he reminds us of someone who was. Jesus obeyed God perfectly and He always pleases God. We please God when we trust in Jesus.

TRANSITION TIME Session Title: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God Bible Passage: Daniel 1 Big Picture Question: What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God. Key Passage: Daniel 6:27 Unit Christ Connection: Despite captivity, God used faithful people to continue His plan to provide salvation through Jesus Christ.

Welcome time pencils paper Greet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. Invite kids to draw something they do to stay healthy. Allow each kid to share about his drawing with the group.

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 19, Session 1: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God

Activity page Table Centers (Miscellaneous Activities) “Babylon Maze” / “Vegetable Scramble” activity page, 1 per kid pencils Bibles Help kids follow the maze on the activity page and discover four names from today’s Bible story. Say • Why were the Israelites sent into exile? (It was the consequence of their sin. They refused to worship God, so He allowed them to be conquered.) • The four names you discovered in the Bible are in our Bible story today.

As time allows, lead kids to complete the activity page “Vegetable Scramble.”

Session starter (10 minutes) Option 1: New Name Pick slips of paper markers or pens bag name tags or labels Invite kids to write on individual slips of paper a few names they like. Gather all of the name slips and drop them into a bag or similar container. Lead each kid to draw a slip of paper and create a name tag with her “new” name. Encourage all of the leaders to participate as well. Challenge kids to call each other by their new names during today’s Bible study. Say • In today’s story, the rulers of Babylon gave a group of Hebrew boys new names. Today we will discover why the Babylonians made that decision.

Option 2: Vegetable Snack Allergy Alert carrot sticks celery sticks broccoli cauliflower cucumber slices Ask kids to wash their hands before touching any of the snack items. Invite kids to enjoy a small snack of vegetables. As kids eat, discuss the following questions. Say • What are the names of the vegetables we are eating? • Do you like all of these vegetables, or are there some that you do not like? • If you could pick what to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, what would you pick? Why? • In today’s Bible story, a group of Hebrew boys were given food to eat. Did they choose to eat it, or did they ask for something else? Let’s listen and find the answer.

Transition to large group

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 19, Session 1: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God

LESSON Session Title: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God Bible Passage: Daniel 1 Big Picture Question: What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God. Key Passage: Daniel 6:27 Unit Christ Connection: Despite captivity, God used faithful people to continue His plan to provide salvation through Jesus Christ.

Tip: Decorate according to your ministry budget and supplies. Suggested Theme Decorating Ideas: Create a wilderness rescue command center. Position several empty Christmas trees around the edge of the teaching area. Attach a few topographic maps to one wall. Position a few flashlights, sleeping bags, bottles of water, and a first aid kit on one side of the teaching stage. Place a phone or walkie-talkie set on a table.

Countdown countdown video (insert provided DVD with lesson videos and worship) Show the countdown video as you clean-up table centers, set up classroom chairs for lesson and set it to end as large group time begins.

Introduce the session (2 minutes) mountain bike and helmet

[Leader enters riding a mountain bike (wearing a helmet). If you do not want to ride the bike, walk alongside it.] Leader • Hello! Welcome to our wilderness adventure! We are meeting at command central of the Mount Daniel Rescue Squadron. The rescue squadron is responsible for patrolling the mountain to make sure that people are following good safety rules. The rescue squadron is also called when someone breaks a rule or has an accident that requires help. The rescue squadron is committed to helping people. Is this your first trip to Mount Daniel? It’s my first trip here. I am so glad you joined me on this trip. Someone tell me one of the other places you have visited on our journey through God’s plan.

Timeline map (2 minutes) Timeline Map – small group visual pack (Additional copies provided for Table Time Review) Bibles Allow three or four kids to name a previous stop or theme. Briefly review one or two facts about how the Bible stories in that theme connected to God’s plan to send Jesus to rescue people from sin. Leader • According to our map, we are now exploring the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament. Daniel

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 19, Session 1: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God

is one of the major prophets. The Book of Daniel is full of adventure. Do you know any stories from the Book of Daniel? Allow a few kids to respond.

Big picture question (1 minute) 11x17 poster provided Bibles Leader • The Bible stories in Daniel are exciting and full of danger, suspense, courage, and faithfulness to God. I can’t wait to tell you some of them. The big picture question for today’s Bible story is, What did Daniel do in captivity? Ooo. Sounds like this story has some adventure, doesn’t it?

Tell the Bible Story (10 minutes) “Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God” video Bibles, 1 per kid Bible Story Picture – 11x17 poster provided Big Picture Question: “What did Daniel do in captivity?” – 11x17 poster provided

TIP: A Bible story script is provided at the beginning of every session. You may use it to guide you as you prepare to teach the Bible story in your own words. For a shorter version of the Bible story, read only the bolded text.

Leader • Open your Bibles to Daniel 1 and let’s find the answer to our big picture question. Open your Bible to Daniel 1 and tell the Bible story in your own words, or show the Bible story video “Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God.” Leader • Hmm … vegetables? How many of you would volunteer to eat vegetables and drink water for 10 days? I don’t see everyone’s hand in the air. The Bible doesn’t exactly tell us what was wrong with the king’s food. We do have a couple of theories about it, but Daniel and his friends knew that eating the food would break God’s law. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah wanted to stay faithful to God and obey His law. They faced a difficult challenge, but they were committed to obeying God. The big picture question is, What did Daniel do in captivity? The Bible reveals the answer to us. Daniel remained faithful to God. What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God. When Daniel and his friends decided to obey God, what happened? God blessed them. First, they were healthier looking than the other guys who ate the king’s food. God also blessed them with knowledge and understanding. The king noticed how smart and wise the four men were. Daniel and his friends chose to obey God, but were Daniel and his friends perfect? No. Could Daniel or any of his friends pay the price for our sin? No. Daniel and his friends remind us of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Jesus never sinned. He is perfect. We can repent and trust in Jesus as our Savior and Lord.

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional) Using Scripture and the guide provided, explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Tell kids how they can respond, and provide counselors to speak with each kid individually. Guide counselors to

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 19, Session 1: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God

use open-ended questions to allow kids to determine the direction of the conversation. Because some kids are not comfortable responding during a large group time, encourage girls and boys to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian.

Key passage (5 minutes) Key Passage Poster: Daniel 6:27 (11x17 poster, provided) Worship Song: “He Rescues and Delivers” (on provided DVD) Leader • Our key passage is located in Daniel 6:27. We will learn more about when this passage was written in a couple of weeks. Stand and read our key passage with me. Lead girls and boys to read the key passage twice. Sing “He Rescues and Delivers” together. Leader • Our passage talks about how God rescues and delivers. Name a time He rescued or delivered you or someone in the Bible from something.

Discussion Starter Video (4 minutes) Unit 19, Session 1 discussion starter video (on provided DVD) Leader • OK. Let me see you raise your hand if you want to eat some broccoli and carrots and lima beans right now. OK. Now let me see you raise your hand if you want to eat some pizza or a cheeseburger or French fries right now. Think about the vegetables your parents want you to eat while you watch today’s video. Show the “Unit 19 Session 1” video. Leader • Who wants to be the kid with a great big, delicious burger? Who wants to be the kid with the carrots? Raise your hand if your parents have ever had to make you eat some vegetables. Why don’t we want to eat the food that is healthy and good for us? What is more tempting—a cheeseburger or vegetables? Do you think Daniel and his friends were tempted to eat the king’s food? Guide kids to think about the big picture question and answer. Invite kids to be honest about struggles to choose to obey God rather than their own desires.

Sing (4 minutes) Worship Song: “You Are I Am” (on provided DVD) Leader • Our theme song reminds us that God is always sovereign. He rules over everything, and He rescues His people when they remain faithful to Him. Sing with me. Lead boys and girls to sing “You Are I Am.”

Prayer (2 minutes) Leader • Our time is up for today. In your small group, you will continue to talk about Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. They had a very important decision to make. Would they obey God or obey the king? Say our big picture question and answer with me one more time. What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God. Well, it’s time for me to hop on my bike and ride another trail to make sure people are obeying all of

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 19, Session 1: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God

the safety rules. I hope you will come back and see me again next week. I have another amazing story to tell you about Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. See you next time! Close the group in prayer. Ask God to help kids make decisions that are obedient and faithful to Him.

Dismiss to small groups for Table Time

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me Ask kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids. God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean. We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23) God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9. Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:18. We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus. Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 19, Session 1: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God

TABLE TIME LEADER Session Title: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God Bible Passage: Daniel 1 Big Picture Question: What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God. Key Passage: Daniel 6:27 Unit Christ Connection: Despite captivity, God used faithful people to continue His plan to provide salvation through Jesus Christ.

Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes) Bibles, 1 per kid Timeline – small group visual pack

Option: Retell or review the Bible story using the bolded text of the Bible story script.

Invite kids to find Daniel 1:3-9 in their Bibles. Say • The Babylonians renamed all of the boys. Daniel means “God is my Judge.” His new name was about the false god Bel. Hananiah means “God has been gracious,” but his new name is about the false god Aku. Mishael means “Who is what God is?” His Babylonian name means “Who is what Aku is?” Azariah’s name means “The Lord has helped.” His new name, Abednego, means “servant of Nebo,” another one of the false gods the Babylonians worshiped. • Why do you think the Babylonians gave the boys new Babylonian names instead of using their Hebrew names? • What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God. • You may not have to tell someone you want to eat vegetables and drink water, but you do have choices to make every day about whether or not to obey God. When are some times that it is hard for you to remain faithful to God? • Who does Daniel remind us of? (Daniel wasn’t perfect, but he reminds us of someone who was. Jesus obeyed God perfectly, and He always pleases God. We please God when we trust in Jesus.) If you choose to review with boys and girls how to become a Christian, explain that kids are welcome to speak with you or another leader if they have questions. God rules. God created and is in charge of everything. (Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:11; Colossians 1:16- 17) We sinned. Since Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23; 6:23) God provided. God sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9) Jesus gives. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again so we can be welcomed into God’s family. (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18) We respond. Believe that Jesus alone saves you. Repent. Tell God that your faith is in Jesus. (Romans 10:9-10,13)

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 19, Session 1: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God

Key passage activity (5 minutes) “Bible Verse Challenge” Instructions Key Passage Poster: Ezekiel 37:27 (provided) dry erase board dry erase markers Write the key passage on a dry erase board. Lead kids to read the passage two or three times. Ask kids to close their eyes. Erase one or two words of the verse. Invite kids to open their eyes and read the verse, filling in the empty space(s) with the correct word(s). Repeat the game. You may also choose to add words as you go along to keep the challenge fresh each time. Say • What does it mean to rescue someone? What does it mean to deliver someone? • Why does God rescue and deliver His people?

Activity choice (10 minutes) Option 1: Three Categories Review Bibles, 1 per kid category and point value chart Form teams and decide which team will go first. Invite the first team to choose a category and a point value. If the team cannot supply the correct answer, allow the second team to try to answer the question to steal the points. Daniel & Company: 100 points: How many friends from Judah agreed with Daniel about the food? (three, Daniel 1:11) 200 points: Why were Daniel and his friends taken to the king’s palace? (They were intelligent, handsome, and healthy; Daniel 1:3-4) 400 points: What name did the Babylonians give Daniel? (Belteshazzar, Daniel 1:7) Food & Drink: 100 points: What kind of food was served to the young men? (the same food and wine the king ate at his table, Daniel 1:5) 200 points: What kind of food did Daniel want to eat and drink? (vegetables and water, Daniel 1:12) 400 points: For how many days did Daniel and his friends ask to be tested? (10 days, Daniel 1:12) Kings & More Kings: 100 points: Who was the king of Judah at this time? (Jehoiakim, Daniel 1:1) 200 points: Who was the king of Babylon who captured Jerusalem? (Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel 1:1- 2) 400 points: Who is King over everything that happened in the story? (God; Daniel 1:2,9,17) Say • What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God.

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 19, Session 1: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God

Option 2: Gameboard Design markers stickers Distribute paper, markers, and stickers among the kids. Challenge each kid to design a gameboard of her own. She should make a list of rules as she designs. Allow kids to work for several minutes before discussing the following questions. Say • Would it bother you if I asked to play your game, but I refused to follow the rules you created? Why does your game need rules? Without rules, how do we know how to play? • Why was it important for Daniel to follow the rules God had given His people? • God gives His people rules and laws because He loves His people. He wants His people to be holy because He is holy. • What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God.

Prayer (5 minutes) Allow kids to share one thing they learned in today’s Bible story. Say • What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God. Invite the group to share prayer requests. Ask for a volunteer to close the group in prayer. Encourage the kids to thank God for providing us with the Bible to guide us. Remind them that they can always ask God for help in obeying and remaining faithful to Him. If time allows, you may allow more kids to pray aloud.

Clean-Up Room

Instructions: Complete the maze to Babylon. Look up Daniel 1:6 in a Bible to find the names of four young men taken from Judah to Babylon in today’s Bible story.

UNIT 19 • Session 1 • Older Kids Activity Pages

Daniel

UNIT 19 • Session 1 • Older Kids Activity Pages

Daniel

© 2013 Lifeway Family Journal Page Daniel Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God Prepare a meal of nothing but vegetables with only water to Daniel 1 drink. Ask who in the Bible ate this type of meal for at least Preschool three straight years. Invite each family member to share a Key Passage: Daniel 6:27 time when obedience wasn’t easy. Share your kids’ reactions Big Picture Question: What did Daniel do when he below. was captured? Daniel obeyed God. Christ Connection: Daniel did what God told him to do. God helped Daniel and his friends. Daniel wasn’t perfect, but he reminds us of someone who was. Jesus always did what God wanted Him to do. God is happy when we know and love Jesus.

Kids Key Passage: Daniel 6:27 Big Picture Question: What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God. Christ Connection: Daniel chose to obey God no matter what. God blessed Daniel and his friends. Daniel wasn’t perfect, but he reminds us of someone who was. Jesus obeyed God perfectly and He always pleases God. We please God when we trust in Jesus.

UNIT 19 • Session 1 OK TO PRINT “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.” Daniel 6:27

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