Small Group Guide
KINGDOM INTENTIONALITY IN A CULTURE OF ADVERSITY
The Church at Brook Hills Matt Mason November 1, 2015 Daniel 6
MAIN TRUTH
Message Outline
To download the outline for this week’s sermon, visit brookhills.org/media.
Message Summary
Daniel had lived as an exile since his adolescence, taken by the Babylonians who had conquered Jerusalem. Persia conquered Babylon, so he was now under their control and most likely around eighty years old. Despite the change in rulers, Daniel continued to have favor with the rulers and was a powerful administrator, reporting only to King Darius. When Darius decided to set Daniel over the other administrators, they conspired against him, convincing the king to pass a law that anyone who prayed to any king other than Darius would be thrown to the lions. Those against him tried to use his love for God to bring him down.
Though this story is familiar, we learn rich truths from Daniel about how we should live with Kingdom intentionality in a culture that is hostile toward believers. First, Daniel genuinely loved the world in which he lived—the people and culture over which he was made a ruler. He had a strong sense of calling even in his old age to do good to the people in his city and to the King who ruled over him.
Daniel ultimately loved his God. He prayed three times each day in front of his window, which opened toward Jerusalem. This pattern of prayer kept his mind set on the covenant promises of God represented by the Temple. He knew he lived in exile because God’s people had sinned, been overthrown, and been removed from their homeland—all according to God’s promises. Even though he had assimilated into the culture around him, he knew repentance would ultimately bring about rescue (1 Kings 8:46-50). So he prayed. His devotion to God surpassed any law passed by an earthly king. While we do not look to the Temple for assurance of God’s blessing and mercy, we look to Jesus, the Word who became flesh and made His dwelling among us. As Daniel remembered a physical building and place, we must fix our eyes on Jesus to remember our eternal home is with Him.
Daniel fully trusted his Deliverer, and God vindicated Daniel’s innocence with safety from the lions while his accusers received the destruction of the lions’ den. Though Daniel survived the lions’ den, he died in Babylon. We believe in a more ultimate deliverance—from hell, sin, Satan, and the grave, all of which have been defeated by Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection. Like Daniel, we must obey God no matter what the outcome might be, risking everything because we know our God will ultimately deliver us from this world into His eternal Kingdom.
WHY IT MATTERS
Digging Deeper
Daniel’s life illustrates that it is possible to be faithful and to thrive within a pagan culture, and in doing so, he was a man who practiced spiritual discipline. Throughout his life, he knew God, loved God, and practiced obedience in every way. Living with Kingdom intentionality requires believers to practice habits that set their hearts and minds on God’s Kingdom above any earthly desire. We must be faithful in prayer, reading His Word, and gathering with other believers. As Daniel lived with Kingdom intentionality, God raised him to positions of leadership and influence, and he loved the people God placed around him.
As you prepare to lead your group, spend some time thinking about the various places your group members engage in the public domain—where they live, work, study, or spend their time. Be intentional to encourage individuals to see every place God has given them influence—to ask God to make those places clear—and to love the people around them there. Consider opening your group time by asking everyone to write down the places God has placed them before proceeding to the discussion questions.
Daniel’s intentionality in prayer and worship of God can also provide an opportunity for you to discuss spiritual disciplines as a group. What are the regular rhythms of Bible study, Bible memory, prayer, worship, fasting, etc. in the lives of the people in your group? Do they know how to do these things? Do they know why we should do these things as Christ-followers?
NOW WHAT DO WE DO?
Group Discussion & Application
Use the following questions to examine what the sermon and its text mean, to apply the Word to your life, and to guide how you pray.
1. What does it mean to have Kingdom intentionality in a culture of adversity? How was Daniel intentional? What cultural adversity did he face?
2. Who are some of your heroes in the faith who have shown you an example of practicing Kingdom intentionality in a culture of adversity? In what ways are you following their examples?
3. Pastor Matt noted that there are extreme ways Christians can respond to a culture that is hostile toward God: becoming gloomy and despairing, living a withdrawn life full of fear, or sneering at others’ sin with an arrogant disbelief. Where do you fall on that spectrum? What values need to change in your heart?
4. How can you tell from Daniel 6 that Daniel loved the culture in which he lived? Do you truly love the culture in which God has placed you? How does your prayer life reflect the way you value your culture?
5. Why does God call His people to love the culture in which He has placed them? How is this love different from loving the sinful practices that likely exist within it? How can you love the culture you live in without sharing the values of that culture?
6. What affect should old age have on your sense of calling? How has your sense of calling grown deeper as you have walked with Christ?
7. What practices or spiritual disciplines help you sense God’s calling more clearly? What practices weaken your sense of calling?
8. Daniel’s prayer practices were evidence of his love for God and his city. Pastor Matt said, “When prayer becomes fashionable in a culture, then praying in secret is recommended. When prayer is prohibited, then praying in private becomes an act of cowardice.” What were the hypocrites guilty of in Matthew 6:5-6? In what ways was Daniel’s prayer life was different from the hypocrites’?
9. How does prayer, both private and public, reflect what you know and believe about God?
10. Why is Daniel’s deliverance from the lions’ den not a guaranteed model of deliverance for all Christians who face death?
11. Daniel was resolved to pray regardless of the cost. Has God ever seen you through a time in which you overcame obstacles in practicing your faith publicly? If so, how did He come to your rescue? Are you facing any particular barriers to practicing your faith in public? If so, what are they? How can you as a small group support each other through these trying times?
12. If you do not feel you’re facing any particular obstacle to practicing your faith, what should your response be to the persecuted believers across the world? How is God calling you to give, pray, and go to help those who are persecuted?
Resources for Small Group Leaders
Weekly Prayer Focus (from Our Worship Guide)
· Pray for Our Church:
o Pray that God will make us a people that bless the communities in which we live.
o Pray God will give us wisdom and grace to be steadfast in the culture around us.
· Pray for Our City:
o Pray for members of our faith family working with urban adults in low-income communities or serving alongside local ministry partners to address unemployment, addiction, homelessness, trafficking, re-entry, and urgent relief.
o Pray for our Working with Urban Adults Workshop on December 6.
o Pray for Altadena Valley Presbyterian Church and Brad Allen, Pastor.
· Pray for Our World:
o Pray for Brook Hills Mid-Termers Rachel B. and Nicole R. serving in South Asia and the Short-Term team also serving there.
Weekly Readings for November 2–8
Hosea 8–14; Psalm 123–139
“Kingdom Intentionality in a Culture of Diversity,” November 1, 2015 | Page 1