Shine Like Stars – Wk 1

Daniel 12:3 (NLT)

3 Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.

Daniel 1:1-8 (NIV)

1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god.

3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— 4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. 5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.

6 Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.

8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.

DANIEL FACED THREE TESTS IN PRIVATE THAT PREPARED HIM FOR A LIFE IN PUBLIC:

– Unfamiliar territory.

– Outnumbered.

– Opposition.

HOW TO SHINE BRIGHT IN A WORLD OF SPIRITUAL DARKNESS:

1. Be resolved to trust the divine guidance of God.

Proverbs 29:18 (NLT)

18 When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.

2. Be resolved to find your people.

3. Be resolved not to defile yourself.

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: If you want to shine like a star, be resolved to follow God’s divine guidance.

Consider:

Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.

▶ Read Daniel 12:3. What does it mean to shine like a star? What does that look like in our real world lives?

▶ Read Daniel 1:8. Daniel asked not to defile himself with certain foods, but he complies with studying Babylonian ways. How do we discern how we should live?

▶ Daniel 1:2 says, “the Lord delivered” the king of Judah into the king of Babylon’s hand. Where may the Lord have placed you that is dark and needs the Light?

▶ Read 2 Timothy 3:16. Where are some places believers need God to guide them in unfamiliar territory, being outnumbered, or facing opposition?

Activate:

Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share your decision with the Group.

Read Proverbs 29:18. Choose an area of your life where it would be easy to ask, “Why me?” and ask God, “What now?” What is one step you can take to move forward in the way He is leading you?

Prayer:

Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.

Ask God to help our church family to shine like stars in the universe as we are navigating unfamiliar territory, being outnumbered, or facing opposition.