May 17 – 23

Weekly Reading for May 17 – 23

Preparing for Next Week’s Message

Sermon Series: Stand Strong in the Battle
Sermon Title: Stand Strong During Spiritual Warfare

This reading plan will get your heart and mind set for the next message on May 24, 2020:

• SUNDAY: Daniel 7, Daniel 7,
• MONDAY: Daniel 8, Daniel 8,
• TUESDAY: Daniel 9, Daniel 9,
• WEDNESDAY: Daniel 10, Daniel 10,
• THURSDAY: Daniel 11, Daniel 11,
• FRIDAY: Daniel 12, Daniel 12,
• SATURDAY: Daniel 7, Daniel 7,

Reflecting on the Most Recent Sermon

Sermon Series: Stand Strong in the Battle
Sermon Title: Stand Strong When Discouragement Descends
Delivered On: May 17, 2020

VIEW SERMON NOTES

Memorize and Reflect

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!” (Daniel 6:16)

Prayer Direction

Pray for an honest heart to see and admit where you are feeling discouraged and for confidence that you can come to God just as you are and He is ready to lead you through this time. Ask the Spirit of God to give you power and a sense of His presence as you walk through the hard times of life. Thank God for the ways He has carried you through hard times in the past and pray that you will remember His faithfulness in the past as you walk through discouraging times in the future.

“Live It!” Challenge

Character Check: Imagine if a group of people wanted to undercut you and challenge your character. Are there areas they could attack you and bring into the light that would compromise you? If so, surrender these to Jesus. Would they look at your life and see such a consistent love for God that they would feel this is what marks your character most of all. If not, what can you do to live in such a way that people would see your passion and love for Jesus in your daily actions?

Small Group Discussion

1. As you look back at your life, what have been the most discouraging and challenging times? How have you navigated and dealt with these seasons?

2. What kind of discouragement have you dealt with during the past two months as our country has walked through the COVID 19 battle? How have you dealt with your feelings of discouragement?

3. Read: Daniel 6:1-9. What were some of the characteristics that marked the life of Daniel (from this passage and the first six chapters of Daniel)?

4. Why were the other leaders so spiteful and hostile to Daniel? How have you experienced unfair attacks or unkind treatment and how did God lead you through it?

5. Daniel was persecuted because of his deep and abiding faith. Tell about a time you were treated poorly, marginalized, or even persecuted for your faith.

6. Read: Daniel 6:10-20. What are examples you have seen (in your life or the life of someone you know) when a person did the right things but they still paid a price and went through hard times? Why is it tempting to waver in our faith in these moments?

7. When you read this passage, how was the king trapped in this passage? How was Daniel trapped?

8. Read: Daniel 6:21-28. How did God show up for Daniel? How did God show up for King Darius? How have you seen God show up for you in times of deep discouragement and struggle?

9. This story ends in praise to God. What are ways we respond with praise and celebration when God delivers us and leads us through the dark times of life?

10. How can your group members pray for you, encourage you, and support you in a time of discouragement you are facing right now?

11. As you look back at your life, what have been the most discouraging and challenging times? How have you navigated and dealt with these seasons?

12. What kind of discouragement have you dealt with during the past two months as our country has walked through the COVID 19 battle? How have you dealt with your feelings of discouragement?

13. Read: Daniel 6:1-9. What were some of the characteristics that marked the life of Daniel (from this passage and the first six chapters of Daniel)?

14. Why were the other leaders so spiteful and hostile to Daniel? How have you experienced unfair attacks or unkind treatment and how did God lead you through it?

15. Daniel was persecuted because of his deep and abiding faith. Tell about a time you were treated poorly, marginalized, or even persecuted for your faith.

16. Read: Daniel 6:10-20. What are examples you have seen (in your life or the life of someone you know) when a person did the right things but they still paid a price and went through hard times? Why is it tempting to waver in our faith in these moments?

17. When you read this passage, how was the king trapped in this passage? How was Daniel trapped?

18. Read: Daniel 6:21-28. How did God show up for Daniel? How did God show up for King Darius? How have you seen God show up for you in times of deep discouragement and struggle?

19. This story ends in praise to God. What are ways we respond with praise and celebration when God delivers us and leads us through the dark times of life?

20. How can your group members pray for you, encourage you, and support you in a time of discouragement you are facing right now?