Heart of Courage

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Who’s In Charge?

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Opening

Select students as performers for an impromptu drama.

Cast: King Darius, Daniel, The Accusers (come up with a creative name like “The Bad Bros” or “The Creepers”), Lions, Narrator (you)

Read Daniel 6:10–27 aloud as your narrator’s script. Every time you come to a portion that indicates speech, ask the actor to repeat the speech portion after you and ask them to act out actions or emotions described in the text. For example, Daniel 6:14 reads, “Hearing this, the king was deeply troubled, and he tried to think of a way to save Daniel.” At this time, instruct your King Darius to show that he/she is deeply troubled. Ask the audience to encourage your performers by saying things like, “Do you think King Darius looks troubled?”

This will be especially fun when you read Daniel 6:24: “Then the king gave orders to arrest the men who had maliciously accused Daniel. He had them thrown into the lions’ den.” You will want to call for your accusers to scream in pain as the lions eat them.

Serving God Is Not Always Popular

During this time, Daniel was literally breaking the law by worshipping God and having a prayer life.

Daniel 6:10–12 NIV

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”

Can you imagine what it would be like to live somewhere where Christianity was illegal? Religious liberties for all mean that you can worship however you want—or not at all. This is a modern-day example of the free will God gave all people when He created humanity. We have the freedom to choose to worship God, or not.

For Daniel, serving God was deadly.

What kind of things make it hard for teenagers to serve God in our time?

In 1 Corinthians 3:19

1 Corinthians 3:19 NIV

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”;

If you’ve been a Christian for any length of time, your lifestyle might seem like foolishness to this world.

They may not understand why you prioritize church.

You might have personal standards in your entertainment choices that a non-Christian would think unnecessary.

If you’ve ever been in a dating relationship, or think you might date someday, as a Christian, I hope you choose a standard of purity that we don’t see demonstrated in popular culture.

If you are a christian and your friends don’t notice anything different between you and everyone else, then you are holding onto something that you don’t want Christ to change

Tell story about how I did this

APPLICATION:

It is possible to “turn off” that voice inside your heart guiding and directing you.

I wouldn’t recommend it, but it is possible. But how do we keep our hearts from becoming cold?

Three things I recommend:

1. Daily interaction with Jesus

2. Instant obedience

3. An accountability partner

Serving God Can Be Scary

Daniel 6:13–17 NIV

Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him. Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.” So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed.

As a Christian, literally, everything about you will eventually look more like Jesus as you grow in your faith.

Take a look at your social media. Is the persona you project in that space the same persona you project in your faith journey?

Is Jesus pleased with the example you set for others as a Christ-follower in the digital space? Or is your standard the same as everyone else’s?

Is it about flaunting your sexuality, looking for approval, or getting attention from others?

Pushing back against the standard of this world likely won’t get you thrown into a den of hungry lions but living at a higher standard of purity and morality could draw the attention of those who prefer you keep your faith to yourself.

It can be scary to live differently from the crowd.

Are you prepared to live a life for Jesus in a way that may draw criticism?

APPLICATION:

Simply put, “Faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless” (James 2:17).

I don’t want to be held accountable for believing in something, but not acting on it.

God Has Your Back

Daniel 6:19–23 NIV

At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

Daniel 6:25–27 NIV

Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth: “May you prosper greatly! “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”

Daniel is an example of someone who lived for God when it wasn’t popular.

He risked his life to live his faith, and God protected him.

God shut the mouths of the lions because Daniel trusted in Him and continued to serve Him even when others didn’t understand or agree.

CLOSING CHALLENGE/APPLICATION: Call Katie Up

Do you live your faith? When was the last time you demonstrated that you were a Christian?

You don’t have to be obnoxious to show people that you are a Christian.

You can offer to pray for someone who is going through a stressful situation.

You can invite friends to church to let them see the community of faith that you are a part of.

These are great ways to show others what a life with Jesus is like. And as you live for and obey Him, God will bless your efforts.

ALTAR CALL:

There are two groups of students here:

Those who have committed their life to Christ and those who haven’t.

For those who have, they have chosen to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, just like the Bible says. The Bible also says that Jesus was crucified on a cross for claiming to be the Son of God. Three days later He came back to life proving that He was, in fact, the Son of God.

In the Bible, the Book of Romans says that we have all sinned. Romans 6:23 goes on to say that “the wages of sin is death.” This isn’t just referring to a physical death, but a spiritual death. Spiritual death means spending eternity away from God.

But the good news is that Romans 10:9 says, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Who would like to be saved?

Here is a miracle prayer you can repeat after me. Let’s all pray it together.

Dear Jesus, I was wrong. You were right. I know I’ve sinned. I’m asking You to forgive me now. Give me a new life and a clean heart. I want to live for You, even when it’s scary and unpopular because I know You’ve got my back. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.