INTRODUCTION
God wants what is best for us while there is a real enemy that wants us to settle for far less that what is best. God want us to live. Our enemy wants us to die. God wants us to thrive. Our enemy wants us to settle. How can we thrive in the midst of a world that constantly, obviously, subtly, and effectively pulls us away from God’s best for us? Since that struggle is oh so real for all of us we want to learn from those who have engaged that struggle and won. The book of Daniel introudces us to some regular dudes who made commitments that kept them set apart from the dark influences of the world around them. Their consistent resolve not only affected their lives, but also their entire nation. We wnat to do what we can to be better individuals, in a better church, in a better state, better country, and better world. We have some work to do. Let’s move away from settling and towards thriving in Bablyon!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Babylon has a constant tug on us to settle for less than God’s best for us. What is a way that you are tempted to be less that what God wants you to be?
Babylon is constantly nudging us to settle for less that God’s best for us in terms of how we express our faith. What is a way that you can move away from compromising your faith and towards being stronger in your faith?
Babylon is constantly distracting us from the truth about who God has created us to be. What is something that is true about you that you have a tendency to forget?
The four young men in the book of Daniel were very capable and had unbelievable potential. Babylon renamed them and tried to repurpose their destinies. What is a destiny that you feel God has given you that Babylon is trying to steal from you or distract you from?
What are some determinations you need to make in order to thrive in your Babylon?
Daniel worshipped and prayed based on his beliefs. When it became illegal to do what he normally did he remained steadfast in what he did. This revealed that his belief in his God was his absolute priority. What does your current commitment to prayer and worship show about your priorities?
Tim Keller said, “Idols control us since we feel like we must have them or life is meaningless.” Based on that definition what are potential idols in your life?
Daniel knew who he was, who he worshipped, and what he believed. How would you rate yourself in these three vital areas of your life?
Daniel would not compromise his faith and set clear personal boundaries. How can you improve in areas of compromise in your faith?
Daniel refused to be distracted even when facing opposition and death. How can you grow in your faith to remain strong in the opposition you face?
MOVING FORWARD
Babylon is all around us. God is inside of each of us. We get to choose if we trust the strnegth of God inside of us to offset the constant erroding and invading strength of the world around us. God told us that His strength inside of us is greater that the power of the world around us (I John 4:4). We make conitnual choices based on what we believe. God is constantly inviting us to trust Him more and constantly helping us live for Him. Thankfully we not only have the present help of our God, but we also have each other. Let’s not walk this road alone and let’s constantly affirm the power of God we see evident in those alongside of us on our faith road. Let’s thrive in Babylon!