One Minute Bible

52 Week Curriculum

The Extremist

Daniel 6

Objectives

To define true extremism and talk about the forces that pressure us to compromise.
To list the benefits of an extreme, uncompromising life.

Overview

Extreme is cool. It always has been. But the problem is, the ante keeps getting raised.

It used to be that you were wildly adventurous if you skied. It was a dangerous, expensive sport that few dared to try. But not anymore…any old joe with the cash can ski. If you want to be really wild and adventurous, you extreme ski. Extreme skiers don’t take lifts, the take helicopters. They don’t jump mogels, they jump cliffs. Extreme skiers fly down mountains that don’t even register on the black diamond meter. Nowadays, regular skiing is for yuppies and dinks.

The same is true for surging and snowboarding. These sports used to be reserved for the wildly rebellious. A strange little sub-culture developed that few dared to join. But not anymore. Anybody who steps foot in a mall can not only surf, but look the part. If you want to be really wild and rebellious, you sky surf. You strap a board onto your feet and jump out of an airplane. Or you sand surf. You find yourself a nice, vertical sand dune to ride.

As the standards of extreme change, Christians may find themselves drawn into the escalation. We feel we need to have a global march for Jesus; or rally thousands of kids in the nation’s capital; or make a statement at our schools flagpole. We need to get air-time and newspaper coverage. We need to make a statement! But think about it. Is that really extreme? What is extreme anyway?

For Christians, extreme is defined by a person’s consistency and sacrifice. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself (that’s sacrifice) and take up his cross daily (that’s consistency) and follow me. “ By this definition, I don’t think DC/LA is extreme. Neither is See You at the Pole.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I believe these events have value. In fact, we promote these events and have had many students involved. But extreme is not going to a youth conference; it’s living what you learned there. Extreme is not rallying once a year outside your school; it’s developing a tangible Christian presence inside it.

Several of this week’s readings in the One Minute Bible deal with Daniel. He is one of our best examples of consistent, sacrificial extremism. He’s not particularly flashy at first glance, but the effects of his life shine brilliantly. In many ways, Daniel shows us the way to live an extreme faith that is both cool and compelling…not through well-orchestrated political statements, but through a gutsy commitment to daily self-denial.

“May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”

Daniel 6:16

Outline

Daniel 6 tells the familiar story of Daniel in the lion’s den. But what takes place before and after this particular event shows us what it means to be an extreme Christian, and what effects it can have on others. So this outline shows us what extreme is and what extreme does.

Extreme Christianity

1.What EXTREME is

a.It’s not corrupt…it’s CLEAN

Daniel 6:1-5 describes how Daniel’s enemies combed through his affairs looking for any wrongdoing. There was none to be found. Daniel’s life stood up to the closest scrutiny. After spending decades in the political arena, Daniel was squeaky clean. That’s extremely amazing! How deep would they have to dig to find dirt on you?

b.It’s not compromising…it’s CONSISTENT

Ever since he was a young man, Daniel had practiced the discipline of consistent prayer. He had never compromised under the former kings, so he didn’t under Darius either. In spite of the 30-day prayer ban, Daniel kept doing what he always did. Verse 10 is a picture of extreme Christianity. Daniel learns about the ban on prayer, so he goes to his customary spot to pray about it!

c.It’s not cowardly…it’s COURAGEOUS

I love the fact that this story is completely silent about Daniel’s reaction to his arrest. He doesn’t complain, threaten, or beg for mercy. Apparently he doesn’t do anything but march calmly to the lion’s den. That’s what Jesus did too. He made no threats or accusations—he took his arrest with extreme faith and courage.

2.What EXTREME does

a.It gets PERSECUTED.

Jesus told us to not be surprised if the world hates us. The world is everything that God’s kingdom is not. It’s diametrically opposed to all we stand for. If it hated Jesus, it will hate his followers. Daniel was well-acquainted with this fact too. He had tasted the persecution generated by extreme godliness many times before. No doubt he was unsurprised when it came his way again.

b.It PROMOTES PRAISE.

People respond to the light of a shining, extreme faith in two distinct ways. Some try to snuff it out. Others see the light and praise God (Matt. 5:16). Daniel’s life clearly elicited both responses. First, he was nearly killed. Second, his God was praised throughout the empire. The decree in Daniel 6:25-27 may have been naïve—how do you force people to fear and reverence God? – but it certainly contains good theology. Moreover, it vindicated Daniel and promoted praise for God everywhere. That’s the point of being a Christian extremist…to promote the praise and worship of God.

c.It spiritually PROSPERS.

Darius pronounced a blessing on all the people in verse 25, but God pronounced a blessing on Daniel in verse 28. Daniel prospered because God always prospers those who serve him with extreme commitment. It may not take the form of financial prosperity, but it’s still a tangible reality in a Christian’s life. The Bible is full of promises about the blessings God pours out on faithful people.

Discussion Guide

Open

When you hear the word extreme what do you think of? How would you define it?
Who in the world today is an extremist? What does it mean when a sport is extreme…such as extreme skiing?
If we were to apply the word to Christians, what would it mean? How would you describe an extreme Christian?

Dig In

1.Transition into your study by explaining that extremism always produces a strong reaction. It’s either loved or hated. Extreme sports are cool and popular. But extreme political figures are hated and opposed. What we call “extreme Christianity” creates the same kinds of reactions. On the one hand, it’s respected and admired. On the other, it’s ridiculed and persecuted. But one thing it is not is ignored. And that’s why making an extreme commitment to the Lord is so powerful.

2.Introduce Daniel. Remind you students who he was and explain how he was an extremist.

3.Read and discuss Daniel 6. Supplement students’ answers with material from the teaching outline.

What do you see in Daniel’s character and behavior that you would call extreme?
In what ways did Daniel’s extreme faith generate both a strong negative and a strong positive reaction?
How do you think Daniel handled his arrest? What does he teach us about handling persecution?
When the 30-day ban on prayer was decreed, how might Daniel have been tempted to compromise in order to avoid any problems?
What were the long-term effects of Daniel’s extreme brand of godliness?

1.What do you think it means to be an extreme Christian today?

If you wanted to become more extreme, what would you do?

2.How do corruption, compromise, and cowardice limit our spiritual power and effectiveness?

3.God prospered Daniel as a result of his extreme faith. Do you think God will do the same for us? What are the benefits of spiritual extremism?

Week 39 - Page 1