In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 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. 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— 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. 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. Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. 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 1:1-8
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2
“Have faithful courage in the midst of a fearful circumstances.”
Have I not commanded you? “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. Daniel 1:11-14
“So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Hebrews 13:6
“Have the confidence to trust an unknown future to a known God.”
At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. Daniel 1:15-17
“Courage is contagious.”
Talk It Out - Connection Group Discussion Questions
Jump In. Ask a question to get your group started.
- What if you only ate fruits and veggies for 10 days straight? How do you think your health be impacted? How have you struggled with maintaining a healthy diet?
- What nicknames have you been given? Do those names say anything about your character?
Dive In. Ask questions to get your group thinking.
- What are some of the ways you’ve seen people blend into the world?
- Share a time when you stood out for God in the right way. What resulted from taking a stand?
- What do you think is most difficult about living courageously for God and not blending in?
Open Up. Choose questions that create openness.
- What would a choice be like today between the “royal food” and God’s way? What’s at stake for you in that choice?
- What do you need to overcome that will help you to courageously live for God?
Dig In. Read what the Bible says about Courage.
- Joshua 1:9
- Deuteronomy 31:6
- Psalm 27:14
- Proverbs 28:1
Live It Out. Commit to a step and live it out this week.
- In what area are you being tempted to compromise what God has called you to do? In what area of your life is God calling you to have courage?
Will you commit this week to pray for courage in your life?
Pray It Up. Be bold and pray specifically.
- God, help me to live courageously in a world of compromise. Show me the places where you want me to stand firm and be an example for you. I pray for your favor in my life so I can be a witness to those around me. In Jesus; name, Amen.