A sermon on Daniel 4:1-3 by David Camera

Application questions:

• What are the greatest influences on how you conceive of your identity?
• How often do you consider your membership in God’s kingdom?
• How can embracing our identity as citizens of Christ’s kingdom provide stability and purpose for our lives?
• Read Romans 12:1-2. What reality do we face daily as members of Christ’s kingdom?
• How do we resist the pressures of the world which seeks to conform us into its mold?

A sermon the rise and fall of earthly kingdoms by Dr. Greg Lanier.

Application questions:

• Reflect on point 1: “God ordains the rise of the kingdoms of man”
  • How does God’s common grace through human rulers bring temporary blessings to God’s people?
  • Read Jer 29:1-7. How can you as a Christian respond to exile by “seeking the welfare of the city where God has sent us”?
• Reflect on point 2: “God ordains the fall of the kingdoms of man”
  • In what aspects of life are you most tempted to pride? Where have you experienced God’s humbling in your own life?
  • Read Jer 25:8-14. Discuss how God uses Nebuchadnezzar as his “servant” to accomplish his will—but also will bring judgment on Nebuchadnezzar?
  • Where are you tempted to put too much hope in the prosperity of the kingdom of man?
• Trace out the following passages: Dan 4:17 (God giving kingdoms “to whom he wills”); Luke 4:6 (Satan’s giving the kingdoms “to whom he wills”); Isa 14:3-4, 12-14 (the fall of “Lucifer”); Luke 10:18 (the fall of Satan). Reflect on how the tumult of earthly kingdoms reflects the battle between Satan and Christ. Then read Rev 18:1-2. What will ultimately happen to Satan’s kingdom?
• Now trace out Dan 4:12 and Mark 4:30-32. How can you stir up greater hope in the future kingdom of Christ that will bless all nations?

A sermon on Nebuchadnezzar's fall and restoration by David Camera.

Application questions:

• Verse 28 begins “all this...” - what does “this” refer to?
• How would you describe Nebuchadnezzar in verses 29-30?
• What was the purpose of his humiliation?
• How does the humiliation of Nebuchadnezzar demonstrate the truth of verses 34 and 35?
• What do we learn about God from this passage? (His nature and his character)
• What do we learn about ourselves?
• Look at v. 27. What is the recommended cure for pride?
• How would you describe Nebuchadnezzar in v. 36-37.
• What has changed and how did God change him?
• Read Proverbs 3:24, 16:18 and 1 Peter 5:2. What do we learn from these verses?
• How has the Cross of Jesus turned humility into greatness in the eyes of God? (cr. Phil. 2:1-10)
• Why is pride so deadly to us?
• Read Ephesians 4:1-2 and Colossians 3:12-13.
• What areas of your life in particular right now do you need to embrace these Christian virtues?
• Where are you tempted to unhealthy pride? How can you embrace humility in those situations or relationships?

A sermon kicking off our new series on the book of Daniel, by David Camera.

Application questions:

• What are the key aspects of who we are that we use to explain our identity? (e.g.: where we are from etc.)
• Who were Daniel and his friends before they were exiled to Babylon? How are they described in the text
• What had Daniel and his 3 friends just experienced?
• Who is responsible for the defeat of Jerusalem according to the text?
• Read Lev. 26:14-16; 31-32. Why did the exile occur?
• Look at Isaiah 39:5-7. What is said about the exile here?
• Why did the King of Babylon seek to assimilate these boys, with a new name, new education and gifts of his own food?
• Daniel and his friends are now exiles living in a foreign land. How is our situation as Christians similar? (cr. Hebrews 11:13-16; 1 Peter 1:1)
• If you were Daniel and his 3 friends, what temptations would you be facing and what questions would you be asking?
• What aspects of who we are as Christians are central to our identity and do not change because of our circumstances?
• Where do you feel the world trying to “assimilate” you into its kingdom? (cr. Romans 12:1-2)
• How do we resist the conforming efforts of the world?

Application questions:

• Brainstorm a list of issues that we face today as Christians that require divine wisdom to navigate well.
• The text says that God gave Daniel and his friends good health and deep wisdom and insight.
• Does that mean that they were entirely passive over this 3 year process?
• How does this insight help us as we live our lives?
• Is the bible presenting the “Daniel diet” as something we should follow? Why or why not?
• How does Daniel demonstrate both faith and wisdom in the court of Babylon here?
• What does verse 21 tell us about the future of Babylon? (Cyrus was the king of Persia)
• Where do you feel pressure to compromise your values as a Christian?
• How can we as Christians demonstrate our loyalty to Christ and His Kingdom, without withdrawing entirely from the world?
• If Christians are not identified in tangible ways with Christ in distinction from the world what happens to our mission and message to the world?
• What are some practical ways you can “draw the line” for Christ in your daily life?

A sermon concluding our Spiritual Formation Weekend by Greg Lanier.

Application questions:

• Walk through these categories of “worldly habits” mentioned in the sermon. Where do you see them play out in your daily life (workplace, etc.)? With which do you struggle the most?
  • Power, use of threats, materialism, manipulation, anger, Godlessness
• Walk through the “Godward habits” discussed in the sermon. Where can you grow in these? Where have you seen growth in these?
  • Wisdom, non-anxious presence, reputation, fellowship, prayer, Godwardness, servant-mindedness
• Where have you seen God put you in situations where your basic habits (showing up, working hard, being faithful, trusting Jesus in the small things) have added up such that he was able to use you in a meaningful way?
• Spend time praying and encouraging one another to be faithful in the small habits, especially when no one is looking.

A sermon on the gold image of Nebuchadnezzar by Dr. Ben Shaw.

Application questions:

• What connection do you think the gold image of Chapter 3 has to do with the dream image of Chapter 2?
• What would Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego indicate by bowing down to Nebuchadnezzar’s image?
• Why do you suppose the Chaldeans were so interested in exposing the three Jewish men?
• In what ways are we tempted to bow down to authorities and to false gods?
• What would we gain and what do we lose by bowing down to the images offered to us?

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A sermon on the fiery furnace by David Camera.

Application questions:

• Is there anything for which you would be willing to put your life on the line?
• Why would Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego be willing to surrender their lives in this situation? What is at stake?
• How might we be tempted to rationalize bowing down in this situation?
• Had Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego bowed down, what would have been lost in this situation?
• Can you think of any contemporary examples of “false gods” that our culture calls us to fall down and worship?
• What might we possibly suffer as Christians if we stand up for the truth of Scripture today?
• Can we expect a miraculous deliverance every time we stand up for Christ and the gospel in the face of hostile opposition?
• What do you we learn about our God from this passage?
• Where is the Lord calling you to stand up?