Shine Like Stars – Wk 5
1. Daniel understood that God was the main character in the story.
Daniel 6:3-5 (NLT)
3 Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.
4 Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. 5 So they concluded, “Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion.”
2. Daniel was filled with the Holy Spirit.
3, Daniel prayed.
Daniel 6:10-11 (NLT)
10 But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. 11 Then the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help.
4. Daniel was at peace because he knew God.
Daniel 6:16-23 (NLT)
16 So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.”
17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night.
19 Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den. 20 When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?”
21 Daniel answered, “Long live the king! 22 My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.”
23 The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.
COMMUNITY GROUP MEETING OUTLINE
Where your faith intersects with real life!
Reconnect:
Each person shares a recent high and low from their life.
Explore:
Review the message notes.
Big Idea: Daniel understood that God was the most important character in this story.
Consider:
Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.
▶ Read Daniel 6:10-11.
– How did Daniel respond? How did he not respond?
– Daniel focused on God in his life story. What are some characters in our stories that we could be tempted to focus on?
▶ Read Psalm 32:5. How do we remember to make God the center of our stories no matter what we are going through?
Activate:
Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share your decision with the Group.
Ask God if there is any part of your life where He is not the main character? What would it look like to make God the main character in that story? If appropriate, share that area and action step with your group.
Prayer:
Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.
Pastor Ryan talked about the history and future of Worship Center. Pray for our church to be aligned with God as our main character.