NASHVILLE (BP) – This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, Lifeway publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.
This week’s Bible study is adapted from The Gospel Project curriculum.
Bible Passage: Daniel 1
Discussion Questions:
- How have you felt the riskiness of obedience to God in this world?
- How does obedience help cultivate wisdom in the Christian life?
- Under what circumstances do you find it most difficult to obey the Lord, and how can you prepare yourself for those times?
Food for Thought:
Daniel, for example, lived in exile in Babylon under King Nebuchadnezzar. Instead of defiling himself with the king’s food, he chose to not assimilate to the king’s rule but to be faithful to God alone. But he didn’t do it in anger or rebellion. He respectfully asked those in charge to try a separate way. With God on his side and granting him favor from those around him, Daniel was able to maintain faithfulness to the Lord and live with integrity. Those around him noticed.
Though Daniel took a risk in living faithfully, God honored that and Daniel’s risk paid off. Daniel and his friends who joined him in righteous living grew in wisdom, knowledge and understanding through the power of the Lord. Because they obeyed their godly King, the earthly one took notice. Daniel and his friends were able “to attend the king” (Daniel 1:19) and influence his decision-making. God honored their faithful actions and allowed them to be consultants to the king.
Our obedience to God comes from faith in His character and works. God has always been faithful, even in suffering. Daniel knew that and remained faithful to God through the exile. Similarly, Christ obeyed the Father through suffering. He went to the cross for us, obeying the Father’s will. And from His example, our obedience to Christ demonstrates our faith in Him.
Even when times are tough, even in times of persecution, living with integrity and obedience to the one true King will always be the better road to take. In doing so, God is given the glory and those around will notice.
When the world around us lives differently, we don’t always have to get angry and live in rebellious defiance. But neither than we have to compromise. We remind ourselves that God is always in control. He will direct our steps toward righteousness as we submit to the Holy Spirit, and follow and obey God.
The Gospel Project
The Gospel Project is a chronological, Christ-centered study for kids, students and adults. The Bible is not a collection of stories. It is one story of God’s plan to rescue His people from sin and death. It is the story of redemption, the gospel message of Jesus Christ. More information can be found at Lifeway.com/gospelproject.
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