King Nebuchadnezzar sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world: “Peace and prosperity to you! “I want you all to know about the miraculous signs and wonders the Most High God has performed for me. How great are his signs, how powerful his wonders! His kingdom will last forever, his rule through all generations. Daniel 4:1-3 NLT
“I, Nebuchadnezzar, was living in my palace in comfort and prosperity. But one night I had a dream that frightened me; I saw visions that terrified me as I lay in my bed. So I issued an order calling in all the wise men of Babylon, so they could tell me what my dream meant. When all the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and fortune-tellers came in, I told them the dream, but they could not tell me what it meant. At last Daniel came in before me, and I told him the dream. (He was named Belteshazzar after my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.) “I said to him, ‘Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery is too great for you to solve. Now tell me what my dream means. Daniel 4:4-9 NLT
But one night I had a dream that frightened me; I saw visions that terrified me as I lay in my bed. Daniel 4:5 NLT
At last Daniel came in before me, and I told him the dream. (He was named Belteshazzar after my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.) “I said to him, ‘Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery is too great for you to solve. Now tell me what my dream means. Daniel 4:8-9 NLT
Cast all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. 1 Peter 5:7 AMP
Jesus will never send you away empty, unless you are full of yourself!
Twelve months later he was taking a walk on the flat roof of the royal palace in Babylon. As he looked out across the city, he said, ‘Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor.’ “While these words were still in his mouth, a voice called down from heaven, ‘O King Nebuchadnezzar, this message is for you! You are no longer ruler of this kingdom. Daniel 4:29-31 NLT
Pride refuses to let God’s power into your problem.
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 1 Peter 5:5-6 NLT
“After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever. His rule is everlasting, and his kingdom is eternal. All the people of the earth are nothing compared to him. He does as he pleases among the angels of heaven and among the people of the earth. No one can stop him or say to him, ‘What do you mean by doing these things?’ “When my sanity returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored as head of my kingdom, with even greater honor than before. “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud.” Daniel 4:34-37 NLT
The Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses. Daniel 4:25
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 NIV
Talk It Out - Connection Group Discussion Questions
Jump In. Ask a question to get your group started.
- What popular song can you think of where the singer seems to think very highly of themselves? Can you also think of a song where the singer seems to be humble?
- Would you say you are a “very important person”? What is your answer based on? Would you say you are “very good at math”? Share something that you are very good at.
- Would you want to be a famous or powerful person? Why or why not?
- Have you had any strange dreams that you didn’t understand the meaning of? Would you be willing to share about your dream?
Dive In. Ask questions to get your group thinking.
- Read Daniel 4:4-9. How many times does Nebuchadnezzar use the word “I” or “my”? When you think about how you speak and post on social media, how many times are you using the words “I” or “my”?
- Do you think our culture is experiencing a greater amount of anxiety than in the past? What are the signs of a rise in anxiety?
Open Up. Choose questions that create openness.
- How quickly do you turn to God in prayer with your problems and fears?
- Give an example of humility in action that you’ve seen at church, in your family, or at work.
Dig In. Read what the Bible says about Pride.
- Proverbs 16:18
- 1 John 2:16
- Proverbs 29:23
- James 4:10
Live It Out. Commit to a step and live it out this week.
- How has serving in a ministry helped to lessen your pride and raise your level of humility? If you’re not serving on a ministry team, which one would you like to get involved in?
- In what area of your life do you need to trust God in a greater way? What will you do this week to trust God instead of yourself?
Pray It Up. Be bold and pray specifically.
- God, give me humility to trust in you. Help me lay down my pride and along with it, my anxiety. Thank you that I can trust you to calm my fear and help me through all the challenges and problems I am facing. In Jesus; name, Amen.