Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Daniel and The Lion's Den

Daniel 6:1-28

King Darius thought it would be a good idea to choose 120 governors. They would rule through all of his kingdom. And he chose three men as supervisors over those 120 governors. Daniel was one of these three supervisors. Daniel showed that he could do the work better than the other supervisors and governors. Because of this, the king planned to put Daniel in charge of the whole kingdom. So the other supervisors and governors tried to find reasons to accuse Daniel, but they could not find anything wrong with him.

Daniel was trustworthy. He was not lazy and did not cheat the king. Finally these men said, “We will never find any reason to accuse Daniel. But we must find something to complain about. It will have to be about the law of his God.”

So the supervisors and the governors went as a group to the king. They said, “King Darius, live forever! We have all agreed on something. We think the king should make this law that everyone would have to obey: No one should pray to any god or man except for you, our king. This should be done for the next 30 days. Anyone who doesn’t obey will be thrown into the lions’ den.” So King Darius made the law and had it written.

When Daniel heard that the law had been written, he went to his house. He went to his upstairs room. The windows of that room opened toward Jerusalem. Three times each day, Daniel got down on his knees and prayed. He prayed and thanked God, just as he had always done.

Then those men went as a group and found Daniel. They saw him praying and asking God for help. So they went to the king. They talked to him about the law he had made. They said, “Didn't you write a law that says no one may pray to any god or man except you, our king? Doesn't it say that anyone who disobeys during the next 30 days will be thrown into the lions’ den?”

The king answered, “Yes, I wrote that law.” Then those men spoke to the king. They said, “Daniel is not paying attention to the law you wrote. Daniel still prays to his God three times every day.”

So King Darius gave the order. They brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May the God you serve all the time save you!” A big stone was brought. It was put over the opening of the lions’ den. Then the king used his signet ring to put his special seal on the rock. And he used the rings of his royal officers to put their seals on the rock also. This showed that no one could move that rock and bring Daniel out. Then King Darius went back to his palace. He did not eat that night. He could not sleep.

The next morning, King Darius got up at dawn. He hurried to the lions’ den. As he came near the den, he was worried. He called out to Daniel. He said, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Has your God that you always worship been able to save you from the lions?”

Daniel answered, “My king, live forever! My God sent his angel to close the lions’ mouths. They have not hurt me, because my God knows I am innocent. I never did anything wrong to you, my king.”

King Darius was very happy. He told his servants to lift Daniel out of the lions’ den. So they lifted him out and did not find any injury on him. This was because Daniel had trusted his God.

Discussion Questions

  • Why didn't the other supervisors and governors like Daniel?  Because Daniel was not lazy and did not cheat the king.
  • What law did King Darius make? Everyone had to pray to him.
  • Did Daniel obey the king’s law? No, Daniel prayed to God.
  • What happened to Daniel for disobeying the king’s law? He was thrown into the lions’ den.
  • Who protected Daniel? God!

Prayer

Dear God,
Thank you for the story of Daniel and the Lions’ Den.  Help us to remember that you do mighty miracles in heaven and on earth. 
Amen.

Bible Verse for November

“Give thanks to the Lord.  His love is forever.”   1 Chronicles 16:34

Activity

Science Experiment: Making a Volcano


Materials:
  • Aluminum foil
  • One short paper cup
  • 1/4 cup baking soda
  • Vinegar
  • tablespoon

 Guide Your Child to:
  • Help wrap foil around the paper cup so that the foil slope outward like the sides of a hill.
  • Put the baking soda in the cup
  • Pour vinegar over the baking soda, one tablespoon at a time.

 Talk about with Your Child:
  • Have you ever seen a picture of a real volcano? What was it like? (you might want to have one from a book or magazine, or one printed from the Internet to show your child)
  • A volcano brings trouble for people who live around it. What kind of trouble did Daniel have
  • in our story? What happened to him?
  • Who helps us and takes care of us in times of trouble?
  • Share with your child about a time when there was trouble for you but God helped you.
  • Encourage your child to do the same.