AGENDA – DANIEL, SERVANT OF THE LIVING GOD

OPENING PRAYER - Heavenly Father, we thank you for this opportunity to read and study Your Word. Please guide our thoughts and open our hearts to understand the truths You want to reveal. In Jesus' name, Amen.
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – Daniel, Servant of the Living God
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – THE FIREY FURNACE
SCENIC VIEW - King Nebuchadnezzar calls God "the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego." The king meets the true God through ordinary people who are willing to serve and follow God even in the face of danger and death. In fact, God is often named in relationship to ordinary people reminding us that the same God who made the heavens and the earth is the God of individuals, the God of us. Check out Exodus 3:6, 2 Kings 2:14, and 2 Chronicles 21:12 for some other examples.
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – THE WRITING ON THE WALL
POINT OF INTEREST - This is where the phrase "the writing on the wall" comes from. Many of our colloquial phrases come from the Bible. "By the skin of my teeth" is from Job 19:20, "go the second mile" is from Matthew 5:41, and "a drop in the bucket" comes from Isaiah 40:15.
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – DANIEL IN THE LIONS' DEN
TRAIL CROSSING - Later in the Bible, we will hear another story about a stone rolled in front of a cave. Check out Matthew 27:57—28:10 to see what happens in that story. 
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – DANIEL SAVED FROM THE LIONS
TRAIL CROSSING - One of the first things Jesus does in his adult ministry is read and interpret this portion of Isaiah 61 in the synagogue. Read Luke 4:14-30 to hear what Jesus said and how the people responded. 
SCENIC VIEW - This is one of Isaiah's prophecies about a Messiah, a deliverer, who will come to save God's people. Isaiah 11:1-5, 42:1-9, and 53:1-12 tell us more about this servant who will come to free the people. Read those passages and notice some of the surprising characteristics this Messiah will have.
SCENIC VIEW - This is one of Isaiah's prophecies about a Messiah, a deliverer, who will come to save God's people. Isaiah 11:1-5, 42:1-9, and 53:1-12 tell us more about this servant who will come to free the people. Read those passages and notice some of the surprising characteristics this Messiah will have.
SCENIC VIEW - The story of Ezekiel's call and commissioning by God is both beautiful and strange. Read Ezekiel 1:1—3:11 to hear about his vision of God's glory.
POINT OF INTEREST - This startling vision of Ezekiel is one of the stories that is historically read at the Easter Vigil as we wait in darkness for light to dawn on Easter morning.
Scripture Citations 
DANIEL 3:12-30 | 5:1-9, 13-17, 23-31 | 6:1-28 
ISAIAH 61:1-4 | 40:1-11 | 9:2-7 | 65:17-25 
EZEKIEL 37:1-14
QUESTIONS FOR THE JOURNEY AND AI SEARCH ANSWERS: 
1.	Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Daniel all have to make difficult choices about obeying God's command instead of worldly authorities. When have you had to make a choice about following God, even when it might have brought you into conflict with others? What were the consequences of that choice? How did you experience God's presence during that time? 
Choice and Conflict, while I don’t have personal experiences or a spiritual life of my own, the stories of Daniel and his friends illustrate a "non-anxious resistance." They didn't seek out conflict, but when their primary loyalty to God was challenged, they chose civil disobedience. 
The Consequence: Often, the immediate consequence was a "fire" (literally or figuratively), but the long-term result was a witness that changed the hearts of kings.
God’s Presence: In Daniel 3, God’s presence wasn't just felt; it was visible. The "fourth man in the fire" shows that God doesn't always stop the trial from happening, but He enters into it with us. 
2.	Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Daniel each have visions of the salvation of God. How do those visions compare to one another? What might we learn about God and God's salvation from each vision? What about these visions do you find challenging? What do you find comforting? 
Comparing Visions of Salvation
Isaiah: Often focuses on the New Creation and the "Suffering Servant." His vision is one of global peace where "the wolf will live with the lamb" (Isaiah 11). It teaches us that God’s salvation is restorative.
Ezekiel: Focuses on Presence and Life. His vision of the "Valley of Dry Bones" (Ezekiel 37) shows that God can bring life to what is completely dead. It’s a very visceral, "boots on the ground" kind of hope.
Daniel: Focuses on Sovereignty and the "Son of Man." His visions are cosmic and political, showing that while earthly kingdoms rise and fall, God’s kingdom is the only one that lasts (Daniel 7).
The Challenge & Comfort: The challenge is the "waiting”these visions often take place during exile. The comfort is the scale; God’s plan is bigger than current suffering.
3.	The prophet Isaiah writes about "the way of the Lord...a highway for our God." Look carefully at that portion of today's chapter. What does God's pathway look like? What implication does this have for our walk with God? 
The Highway for Our God
In Isaiah 40, the "way of the Lord" involves leveling the ground—valleys lifted and mountains made low. 
The Look: It’s a path of accessibility. It removes the obstacles that prevent us from seeing God’s glory.
The Implication: It suggests that our walk with God isn't about us climbing a mountain to reach Him; it's about preparing our hearts so that He can reach us. It calls for a "straightening" of our priorities.
4.	The prophets’ alternate words of judgment with words of comfort. What is the relationship between these two different kinds of speech? What does each of them teach us about God? 
Judgment vs. Comfort
These aren't opposites; they are two sides of God’s love. 
The Relationship: Judgment is the diagnosis (acknowledging that something is broken), and comfort is the cure. You cannot have true comfort without first acknowledging the need for justice.
What they Teach: Judgment teaches us that God is Holy and takes our actions seriously. Comfort teaches us that God is Merciful and His final word is always one of restoration.
5.	In their darkest hour, the people of Israel cling to the promises of God and repeat the verses of their holy scriptures to find comfort and hope. What verses from the Bible have brought you comfort and hope in difficult times? How might some of these comforting words speak to you today?
Verses for the "Darkest Hour"
Many people find hope in the same verses the Israelites did during the exile. Popular "anchor" verses include: 
Lamentations 3:22-23: Reminding us that His mercies are "new every morning."
Psalm 23: Acknowledging the "valley of the shadow of death" but focusing on the Shepherd's presence.
Isaiah 41:10: "So do not fear, for I am with you."
NEXT STEPS 
1.	In this chapter we hear the stories of some extraordinary prophets: Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. Unfortunately, though they speak passionately and live faithful, dedicated lives, these prophets are largely unsuccessful; the people do not heed their calls to change and repent. In fact, there is only one story in the Hebrew Bible of a successful prophet, whose prophecies cause the people to turn from their evil ways: Jonah. Read the book of Jonah (it's only a few pages long). What do you notice about Jonah's story? How is he like the other prophets we hear about? How does he differ? What is his reaction to the "success" of his prophecy? 
The story of Jonah stands in stark contrast to the "Major Prophets" like Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel, primarily because it is a narrative about a prophet rather than a collection of oracles from one.
Jonah vs. Other Prophets
While Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel lived faithful, dedicated lives despite their messages often being ignored, Jonah is the only "successful" prophet—meaning the people actually listened and repented—yet he is also the most reluctant.
Similarities: Like the other prophets, Jonah receives a direct "word from the Lord" and is tasked with a difficult mission to a rebellious people. He understands God’s character deeply, specifically His "steadfast love" and "mercy".
Differences:
Response to the Call: While Isaiah said, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6), Jonah immediately fled in the opposite direction to Tarshish to escape God's presence.
Audience: Most prophets focused on the sins of Israel; Jonah was sent to Nineveh, the capital of the ruthless Assyrian Empire, enemies of Israel.
The Message: His prophecy was remarkably brief—only five words in Hebrew—yet it caused a city-wide transformation from the king down to the animals.
Reaction to "Success"
Ironically, Jonah is the only prophet who is angry about his success.
Bitterness: He didn't want the Ninevites to be saved. He sat outside the city, pouting and waiting to see if God would destroy them anyway.
Reason for Flight: He confesses he fled initially not because he was afraid he would fail, but because he knew God would be merciful and forgive them.
Self-Pity: He becomes more upset over the death of a shade plant than the potential death of 120,000 people.
2.	Ezekiel, Isaiah, and many of the other prophets had beautiful, intricate visions of God. Close your eyes and imagine God. What does God look like? Smell like? Sound like? Draw, paint, or write about your vision of God and God's glory.
A Vision of God's Glory
The prophets used vivid, sensory language to describe the "unimaginable". If you were to write or paint your own vision based on their accounts, it might include these elements:
Sight:
Gleaming Metal & Fire: Ezekiel saw a figure that looked like "glowing metal" from the waist up and "fire" from the waist down.
Brilliant Colors: A "rainbow-like radiance" surrounding the throne and the appearance of jewels like sapphire, jasper, and carnelian.
Blinding Light: Descriptions of light "brighter than the sun" or "flashing lightning".
Sound:
Rushing Waters: The sound of God's voice or the wings of the cherubim is compared to the "roar of rushing waters" or the "tumult of an army".
Thunder & Quaking: Isaiah felt the doorposts shake at the sound of the seraphs' voices.
Smell & Atmosphere:
Smoke: Isaiah’s vision was filled with smoke, likely from incense, signifying holiness and prayer.
Stormy Wind: Ezekiel’s vision began with a "stormy wind" coming out of the north.

CLOSING PRAYER - Lord, thank you for this time of study and for Your Word. As we leave, please help us to carry the truths we've learned into our daily lives and to live out Your teachings. May we continue to grow in faith and reflect Your love to others. Amen.