Why is this study so important?
In Building a Biblical Framework for life, it is important that we understand and apply Biblical Truth to our daily lives. The story of Daniel in the Lion's Den is certainly a vital part of that framework. In Daniel's act of obedience to God's command in spite of the King's decree and the experience in teh Lion's Den, we find an example of just how we should live in the center of His will.
God knew that Daniel would be faithful and continue to pray to God. Daniel even continued to pray in full view of his enemies, although the consequences were great indeed. Daniel obeyed the Lord and continued to carry out His Will. We need to understand the significance of this act of faithfulness and submission on Daniel's part and learn to live our lives in submission to the Lord each day.
How to use this study
As you read this Story to or with your children, point to the pictures that illustrate the story so your children begin to associate the words with the actions.
By reviewing the Video with your child and by asking questions and reinforcing the truths and values in the film as detailed in this guide, you will be placing these concepts into your child's mind so that they are reinforced each and every time your child watches and enjoys this film.
The Audio can be copied to your computer where you can then transfer it to a CD or a portable media device such as an MP3 player. Then you can take the story with you. Remember to make this learning experience fun for you and your child.
The Quiz will allow you the opportunity to see what your child has learned from experience, so that you will be able to apply these truths to your child's daily walk with God. These questions can be asked in a conversational manner rather then like a test if you so desire.
Talk with your child about this Biblical story and what it means to them in order to reinforce these truths. This will lead to a proper understaning and application of this story to your children's daily walk with the Lord.
What are we learning?
It is important to obey God rather than men. Daniel was trapped by the other leaders because they were jealous of him.
Since they couldn't find fault with him, according to the current laws, they tricked the king into creating a new law that they knew Daniel would break because of his faith, so they could catch him in the act.
Can you imagine what it would be like to have people know they could not find fault in anything you did. That's how God wants us to live our lives. This story is a reminder to you and your children of the imoprtance of living a life above reproach. It is also a reminder that though we are living above reproach there are still those that are going to point their finger at us. It is during times like these that we need to show our children that when we are faithful to God, He will be faithful to us, just as He was to Daniel.
Although God chose to save Daniel from the lions in the den that doesn't mean He will remove us from whatever physical turmoil we may find ourselves in for being faithful. He may seem far away when we are going through these struggles, but that doesn't mean He isn't there. He will see you through whatever comes your way. When He's getting you through it, you may not feel that He know what is best for you and your child. Though He hasn't promised to make life easy, He has promised to never leave. Our reponsibility is to remain faithful to Him and do what He has called us to do.
Daniel remembered and fulfilled his responsibility by remaining obdience to God and not bowing down to anyone but Him. God remained faithful to His obedience servant, Daniel, and delivered him from the lions. He has to do that for you as well. Are you ready to be obedient and faithful to Him?
To understand the importance of living a life that is obedient and faithful to God. He is always faithful, therefore, we need to be faithful to Him even when it means facing the lions, just as Daniel did.
Only when we live as Daniel lived, in obedience to the Word of God, can we accomplish all that God wants us to accomplish. Because Daniel obeyed God he was thrown down into the den of lions, a place of death which God turned into a place of victory. Sometimes God puts us in a place where we suffer so that we can be victorious by doing what He wants us to do.
Our lives would truly be used of God if we sould obey God and do His Will. The story of Daniel shows our need for prayer, and how God's provision is truly sufficient even in a time of great adversity. Daniel obeyed God and was dedicated to His service, striving only to please Him. We must learn to do what He asks us to do.
To see this truth live in our children we must teach by both word and example. We need to remind them of Daniel and his obedience to God even in the face of adversity. To see a true change in our children's action we must make the story real. We must also keep the application alive by constantly reinforcing this concept whenever and wherever the opportunity arises so that we will achieve our goal of a life-changing attitude geared toward Eternal Values for which we will all be held accountable when we stand before God.
Our purpose of making the Scriptures come alive can only be accomplished if the application is kept simple and these truths are understood. Thus we accomplish our spiritual objective by explaining the eternal consequences of our daily actions. Daniel understood the importance of living in obedience to God and he didn't let anything keep him from doing that. We must teach our children that they too, need to walk in obedience to God.
By watching this film and using the Student Guide children will learn by repetition and reinforcement. You will have the opportunity to explain, discuss and apply these spiritual truths in a real and meaningful manner that will truly have an eternal effect on your child's life. Then and only then can you instill in your children a commitment to the importance of faithfully living for God each day as Daniel did.
As an added learning objective, a vocabulary test or quiz can be created from the story. Such a test could be difficult using words like "decree" and "faithfulness" or very simple using words like "den" and "good", depending on your child's age. The "words to live by" section of the Student Guide provides an excellent beginning point for a vocabulary test as well as a way to test your child's comprehension of the subject at hand.
A similar test or quiz could be given on the vocabulary words mentioned above or on different words to challenge your child's spelling ability and to enhance the learning process. The level of difficulty and the number of words selected is up to you, but the more you utilize the tools provided in this series and reinforce these truths, the more you can expect living results in your child's actions and attitudes.
It is not necessary to force these activities on your child as tests in the formal sense, but you can make a game of it as somthing new to learn or a special fun time. These tests on vocabulary words or spelling do not need to be given at the same time or all at once. A few words each day while riding in the car or even while waiting in a line at some event, not only provides your child with an additional learning experience, but also opens the door to further discussion and allows you to emphasize again the important Biblical truths related to us by the story "The Lion in the Den".
Some things to remember
The following questions are given to help your chilren understand the truths that are presented in "The Lion in the Den" and why it is so important that we remember these truths and obey God each day.
Discuss these questions with your children and have them write down their answers on a separate piece of paper or talk about them with you. Be sure that they understand how to apply these truths.
How does God treat those who are faithful to Him?
What was the result of Daniel's faithfulness to God?
What happened to those who tried to trap Daniel?
Are there people setting traps for you today? How?
How was Daniel different from the people of his day?
How should you live your life each day?
How was Daniel able to use his faithfulness as a witness for God?
How was the king affected by Daniel's faithfulness?
What did you learn from "The Lion in the Den" that will help you to be faithful?
How will this help you each day as you obey God and live for Him?