Mark these Key Words: Faithful, Pure, Dedication
Daniel 1:3-6
“Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, including some of the royal family and of the nobles, youths in whom was no defect, who were good-looking, showing intelligence in every branch of wisdom, endowed with understanding and discerning knowledge, and who had ability for serving in the king’s court; and he ordered him to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. The king appointed for them a daily ration from the king’s choice food and from the wine which he drank, and appointed that they should be educated three years, at the end of which they were to enter the king’s personal service. Now among them from the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.”
Proverbs 1:1-7
“The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to discern the sayings of understanding, to receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equality; to give prudence to the naïve, to the youth knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel, to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the Lord is beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
”What qualities did Daniel display that made him a candidate for the king’s service?
- Youths in whom there was no defect
- Good-looking (not a reflection of how the Lord naturally created you, a reflection of how well you take care of your body, and present yourself)
- Showing intelligence in every branch of wisdom
- Endowed with understanding and discerning knowledge
- Had an ability for serving in the king’s court
What does Proverbs teach about how you can become such a candidate for the Lord’s service?
- To know wisdom and instruction
- To discern the sayings of understanding
- To receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equality
- To give prudence to the naïve
- To give knowledge and discretion to the youth
- To hear and increase in learning
- Acquire wise counsel
- Understand a proverb and a figure
- Understand the words of the wise and their riddles
- To fear the Lord
- Do not despise wisdom and instruction
What practices do you need to put in place to become such a candidate?
- Reading the Word
- Praying
- Sharing your faith
- Seeking Fellowship and Community
- Seeking counsel through mentors
- Seeking to mentor and disciple those younger than you in their faith
- Seek to be a learner and a pupil
- Pursue holiness and reject sin
Daniel 1: 7-9, 17-19
“Then the commander of the officials assigned new names to them; and to Daniel he assigned the name Belteshazzar, to Hananiah Shadrach, to Mishael Meshach and to Azariah Abedinego. But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials.”
“As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom; Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams. Then at the end of the days which the king had specified for presenting them, the commander of the officials presented them before Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and out of them all not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the kings’ personal service.”
Proverbs 1:10
“My sin, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.”
What character quality does Daniel display that set him apart for God’s entrusted service?
- Trust in the Lord’s faithfulness and plan.
- Daniel trusted that as he stepped out in faith to be different from everyone else in not “defiling himself with the king’s choice food and wine” that the Lord would honor his faithfulness and reverence to God.
Describe the development process for that character quality in your life.
(Personal Answer)
Daniel 6:3
“Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom.”
Proverbs 1:29-32
“Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord. ‘They would not accept my counsel, they spurned all my reproof. So they shall eat the fruit of their own way and be satiated with their own devise. For the waywardness of the naïve will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.’
What is holding you back from being one like Daniel who is known for his “extraordinary spirit” to your coaches, friends, and parents?
APPLICATION:
How do these passages relate to me today? What changes does it bring to my life?
LOCKER ROOM:
What makes a Christian distinguished in whatever occupation they hold?
MEMORY VERSE:
Daniel 2:44
“In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be [a]left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever.”
MY PRAYER
Adoration: Father, today I praise You for…
Confession: Father, please forgive me for…
Thanksgiving: Father, today I’m thankful for…
Supplication: Father, the people and things that I wish to pray for today are…
