grade kids bible study guide unit 19, session 1: daniel ... · pdf fileunit 19, session 1:...

1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 19, Session 1: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God

2012 LifeWay Christian Resources

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TEACHER BIBLE STUDY God’s people had been warned. The prophets had come with messages from God: “Turn from

your sin, and turn back to God!” But the people did not listen. The nation of Judah was

consumed by idol worship; the kings did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. So God kept His

word—He allowed His people to be taken from their land. They became captives in the enemy

nation of Babylon.

Nebuchadnezzar was the king of Babylon, the strong and powerful nation that overtook Judah’s

capital of Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar carried the treasures of Judah away to Babylon. Even the

holy vessels of God’s temple were taken. Daniel was a young man in Judah when this happened.

He might have heard about the prophet Isaiah’s warnings; now he witnessed their fulfillment.

(See Isaiah 39:5-7.)

King Nebuchadnezzar called for the best young men from Judah to be trained for service in the

palace. Among these teens was Daniel and three of his friends. The chosen boys were given new

identities—new names, new education, new culture. They were indoctrinated to be good

Babylonians. But Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah stayed faithful to the one true God and

refused to make themselves unclean by eating the king’s food.

God was pleased with Daniel and his friends, and He blessed them. God gave them wisdom and

knowledge. They were smarter than all the other young men in Babylon, and the king recognized

their gifts. Daniel’s obedience to God led to his favor with King Nebuchadnezzar, and Daniel’s

life would be a testament to God’s control over all things.

Throughout their exile, God did not forget His people. God’s people could trust Him. They had

God’s promise through the prophets that He would bring them back to their homeland and set up

a new kingdom. Daniel lived about 600 years before Jesus—the perfectly obedient promised

One. We can trust that Jesus will return someday to set up His kingdom forever.

LESSON OVERVIEW/SCHEDULE Session Title: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God

Bible Passage: Daniel 1

Big Picture Question: What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God.

Key Passage: Daniel 6:27

Unit Christ Connection: Despite captivity, God used faithful people to continue His plan to

provide salvation through Jesus Christ.

Transition Time

Welcome time



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Activity sheet/Table Centers

Session starter (10 minutes)

Lesson

Countdown

Introduce the session (1 minute)

Timeline Map (1 minute)

Big picture question (1 minute)

Sing (5 minutes)

Key passage (4 minutes)

Tell the Bible story (10 minutes)

Discussion starter video (3 minutes)

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional)

Prayer (5 minutes)

Table Time

Timeline map (1 minute)

Bible story review (10 minutes)

Large Group Review / Activities

Key passage activity (5 minutes)

Activity choice (10 minutes)

Prayer (5 minutes)

THE BIBLE STORY/OVERVIEW

Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God

Daniel 1

Nebuchadnezzar (NEB yoo kad NEZ uhr), the king of Babylon, went with his army to

Jerusalem. At this time, Jehoiakim (jih HOY uh kim), son of King Josiah, was the king of

Judah. God allowed King Nebuchadnezzar to take over the city. Nebuchadnezzar took

things from God’s temple back to Babylon. He put them in the temple where he worshiped a

false god.

King Nebuchadnezzar told the man in charge of his leaders to bring some of the people

to Babylon too. He wanted boys who were healthy, handsome, and good learners.

Nebuchadnezzar wanted the boys to serve in his palace. He wanted them to learn the

Babylonian language.

Every day, King Nebuchadnezzar gave the boys a special diet. They ate the same food and

drank the same drinks that the king ate and drank. The king planned to train the boys for three

years before they became his servants.



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Four of the boys who came from Judah were different than the others. They worshiped the

Lord, the one true God. Their names were Daniel, Hananiah (HAN uh NIGH uh), Mishael

(MISH eh uhl), and Azariah (az uh RIGH uh). The man in charge of the boys gave them new

Babylonian names. Daniel’s new name was Belteshazzar (bel tih SHAZ uhr). Hananiah’s new

name was Shadrach (SHAD rak). Mishael’s new name was Meshach (MEE shak), and

Azariah’s new name was Abednego (uh BED-nih goh).

Even though they weren’t in Judah anymore, Daniel still wanted to obey God. God’s laws

told Daniel what he could and could not eat. Daniel was not allowed to eat some of the food

that the king gave the boys every day. Daniel asked the man in charge for permission to eat

other foods, but the man in charge was afraid.

“If you don’t eat the king’s food, you will get thin. You won’t be strong like the other young

men. The king might get angry with me and kill me!” he said.

Daniel said to the guard, “Try this for 10 days. Let us eat only vegetables, and let us

drink only water. Then see if we are healthier than the other young men.”

The guard agreed to change their diet for 10 days. At the end of 10 days, Daniel and his

friends looked healthier than the young men who had eaten the king’s food. After that, the

guard allowed Daniel and his friends to keep drinking water and eating vegetables.

God was happy that Daniel obeyed Him. God blessed Daniel and his friends. He made

them wise and smart. They learned lots of new things. God gave Daniel the ability to

understand visions and dreams. When their three years of training was over, Daniel and his

friends stood before the king. The king talked to them and saw that they were smarter and

stronger than all the other young men. They were even smarter than the wise men who worked

for the king. Daniel stayed and served the king for many years.

Christ Connection: Daniel chose to obey God no matter what. God blessed Daniel and his

friends. Daniel wasn’t perfect, but he reminds us of someone who was. Jesus obeyed God

perfectly and He always pleases God. We please God when we trust in Jesus.

TRANSITION TIME Session Title: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God






Welcome time Tip: As kids arrive this is a great time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to

your group.



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Arriving Activity: Obey List large sheet of paper

marker

Post a list of rules. Ask the kids to obey them as they arrive. Here are some suggestions: say hi

to every kid in the room; give one kid a high five; share with another kid something fun you did

this week; find someone wearing one of the same colors as you; tell an adult in the room thank

you for being your teacher.

Say • Did you obey all the rules? Were any of the rules hard to obey? Today, we will meet

some young men who chose to obey God even though it was hard.

Activities/Table Centers (5 minutes) Table centers (Miscellaneous Activities)

“Eating Veggies” activity sheet / Bible Story Coloring Sheet, 1 per kid

pencils, markers or crayons

Guide boys and girls to complete the activity page.

Say • In today’s Bible story, four young men chose to eat differently than everyone around them.

We’ll see what they ate and why.

If time remains, allow kids to complete the coloring page provided with this session.

Session Starter (10 minutes) Option 1: Who’s Different?

Choose three or more volunteers to come to the front of the room. Quietly give them instructions

to complete an exercise. Invite one of the kids in the group to complete the exercise slightly

differently. Then, challenge the kids who are not in the group to figure out which kid is doing

something different and what he is doing different. Choose new volunteers and play again. Here

are some suggestions:

Challenge the volunteers to do 10 jumping jacks with one kid doing 11.

Challenge the volunteers to wave with their right hands while one waves with his left.

Challenge the volunteers to raise their hands straight up while one also crosses two fingers.

Challenge the volunteers to stand up straight with feet together while one kid has his feet

slightly apart.

Challenge the volunteers to rub their stomachs clockwise while one kid rubs her stomach

counterclockwise.

Say • Each time, one volunteer did something different from the rest. Is it sometimes hard to be

different when your friends are all doing the same thing? In today’s Bible story, four

young men chose to be different from their friends.

Option 2: Veggies Please assorted vegetables

paper plates or towels, 1 per kid

vegetable dips (optional)

Allergy Alert

Prepare a plate of vegetables or pick up a pre-packed vegetable plate from a local grocery store.



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Provide dips if you wish. Give each kid a paper plate or towel, and put a few vegetables of his

choice on it. Invite the kids to name their favorite vegetable.

Say • Would you like to eat only vegetables? In today’s Bible story, that’s exactly what four

young men did, and God blessed them for it.

Transition to large group

LESSON Session Title: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God






Suggested Theme Decorating Ideas: Use blue sheets or large pieces of blue paper as a

background. Paint mountains and trees on the background to create a wooded scene. You may

also choose to use Christmas trees and potted trees to give a 3-D effect. Use a ladder to create

a tower. Place a red rotating beacon on the top of the ladder. Make sure kids can’t climb on the

ladder.

Countdown countdown video (on provided DVD with lesson videos and worship)

Show the countdown video as you clean-up table centers, set up classroom chairs for lesson and

set it to end as large group time begins.

Introduce the session (1 minute) rope

garden hose

plastic hard hat

inflatable swim ring

TIP: You will use these same items each week.

[Large group leader enters carrying a rope, garden hose, plastic hard hat, and an inflatable

swim ring.]

Leader • All right, all I have to do is get the right equipment. Hey! What are you all doing

here? Are you part of the new rescue training crew? Since you’re here, let’s see what you

know about rescue. By the way, I’m Rescue Ray. We will be testing our emergency

preparedness for the next few weeks. That means we have some pretend emergencies to make



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sure we are ready when the real thing happens. For our first pretend drill, someone needs help

at a nearby river. They were trying to swim upstream. It wasn’t too long before they were

being pulled downstream. Which of these items do you think I should take for a water rescue?

Should I take the inflatable? You think I should take the rope too? You are good! Now, I just

have to wait until I get more instructions about the next part of the drill. We’ve got a few

minutes. You know what I like to read when I have time? Rescue stories! My favorite rescue

stories are from the Bible because they are all true!

Timeline Map (1 minute) Timeline Map (small group visual pack – copies provided for Table Time Review)

Leader • This is a whole timeline of rescue stories. Can you point out anyone on this map who

needed rescuing? Hey, here are several stories right in a row. Have you ever heard of a man

named Daniel? God’s people sinned, so they were sent to Babylon after Judah was destroyed.

Some of the people still loved and worshiped God though. Daniel was one of them, but he and

three of his friends soon found out loving and worshiping God would be a lot harder in

Babylon. The people there didn’t love and worship God.

Big picture question (1 minute) Big Picture Question: What did Daniel do in captivity? - 11x17 poster provided

Leader • Where do you think we could find out more about Daniel and his friends? It’s all in the

Bible. After all, the Bible is one big rescue story about Jesus and how He rescued us from sin.

Being forced to live in another place couldn’t have been easy. What did Daniel do in

captivity? That’s a really good question. It’s also the big picture question for today. What did

Daniel do in captivity?

Sing (5 minutes) Worship Song: “You Are I Am” (on provided DVD)

Leader • When you are in captivity, you don’t have the freedom to make all your own choices.

Daniel, like many of God’s chosen people, was living in Babylon because he had been taken

from his home in Judah. That didn’t stop Daniel from worshiping and obeying God. Daniel

knew there was one God. Let’s worship God too!

Sing together “You Are I Am.”

Key passage (4 minutes) Key Passage Poster: Daniel 6:27 (provided)

Worship Song: “He Rescues and Delivers” (on provided DVD)

Leader • God planned to send a Savior to save us from sin, which separates us from God. He

sent Jesus to pay the penalty for sin, so we could be close to God again. Jesus came to our

rescue. That brings us to our key passage.

Show the slide or poster of the unit’s key passage, Daniel 6:27. Lead the boys and girls to read

the verse aloud. Sing together “He Rescues and Delivers.”



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Tell the Bible Story (10 minutes) “Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God” video (on provided DVD)

Bibles, 1 per kid

Bible Story Picture Slide or Poster

Leader • Our first rescue story involving Daniel can be found in Daniel 1. Let’s see if you can

find Daniel in your Bible. Keep listening for the answer to the big picture question, What did

Daniel do in captivity?

Show the “Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God” video, or choose to tell the Bible story in your

own words using the script provided. For a shorter version of the story, read only the bolded text.

Leader • Daniel and his friends were in a place they didn’t want to be. They had been taken

captive by the Babylonians. What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to

God. He chose to obey God even if that meant being different from everyone else.

Daniel and his friends knew God had given the Israelites instructions on the foods they

should eat and how they should eat them. The Babylonians didn’t follow the same rules.

When Daniel and the others obeyed God, God blessed them. They looked better and were

smarter than everyone else.

Ask the following review questions:

What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God.

What were the Babylonian names given to Daniel’s three friends? (Shadrach, Meshach,

and Abednego; Daniel 1:7)

What were Daniel and his friends commanded to do? (train for service to the king,

Daniel 1:5)

What did Daniel request to eat and drink? (vegetables and water, Daniel 1:12)

How did Daniel and his friends compare to those who ate from the king’s table? (They

were healthier and wiser; Daniel 1:15,19-20)

Discussion starter video (3 minutes) Unit 19, Session 1 - Discussion Starter Video (on provided DVD)

Big Picture Question: What did Daniel do in captivity? - 11x17 poster provided

Leader • Do you sometimes struggle to eat what you know you should eat? Watch this video.

Show the “Unit 19 Session 1” video.

Leader • What are some foods you eat that are not good for you? While what we eat is

important, the message of today’s Bible story is not that you should eat your veggies. It is

about obedience and being faithful even when it’s hard. What did Daniel do in captivity?

Daniel remained faithful to God. Daniel’s obedience pleased God, and God blessed him.

Daniel still wasn’t perfect, but he reminds us of someone who is. Jesus perfectly obeyed and

pleased God. Because He did, we please God when we put our trust in Jesus.

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional) Use Scripture and the guide provided with this session to explain to boys and girls how to become

a Christian. Assign individuals to meet with kids who have more questions. If this is not



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possible, encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other Christian

adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian.

Prayer (5 minutes) Big Picture Question: What did Daniel do in captivity? - 11x17 poster provided

Show the big picture question slide or poster.

Leader • Just in case you missed it, let’s look at the answer to the big picture question. What did

Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God.

Ask the big picture question. Then announce a food item, and invite the kids who ate that item

sometime during the week to give the answer. Continue with a different food item as time

allows.

Before transitioning to small group, make any necessary announcements. Lead the kids in

prayer. Pray that God will give the kids strength to obey Him even as others choose not to.

Dismiss to small groups for Table Time

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me Ask kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good

news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following

guide to share the gospel with kids.

God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge

of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or

Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean.

We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey

God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin.

Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23)

God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the

perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something

we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians

2:8-9.

Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and

rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for

eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:18.

We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review

these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s

already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that

your faith is in Jesus.

Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.



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TABLE TIME LEADER

Session Title: Daniel and His Friends Obeyed God






Bible story review (10 minutes) Tip: Divide children into small groups for table time. Each group should include an adult leader at the table.

Bibles, 1 per kid

Timeline (small group visual pack – extra copies provided for Table Time Review)

Big Picture Question: What did Daniel do in captivity? (11x17 poster provided in classroom)

Encourage the kids to find Daniel 1 in their Bibles. Help them as needed.

Say • Daniel is found in the Old Testament. Daniel is part of the Major Prophets division of the

Bible. Daniel talked about what was happening to God’s chosen people while they were in

Babylon and what was going to happen in the future.

Use the small group visual pack to show kids where today’s Bible story is on the timeline.

Review the Bible story provided using the bolded text, or summarize the story in your own

words. As you retell the story, invite the kids to move a hand to their mouths as if eating

something each time you say “eat.” Instruct them to say “yum, yum” when you say “vegetables.”

Say • How many of you like to eat vegetables? What are some vegetables you like to eat? We

don’t know if Daniel and his friends really liked vegetables, but we do know they really

liked obeying God. They were living in a place they didn’t choose to be, but they refused

to live like the Babylonians. It’s not always easy to be different. It would have been easy

for Daniel and his friends to eat the king’s food. Instead, they chose to be faithful to God.

Show the big picture question slide or poster.

Say • That reminds me of the big picture question and answer, What did Daniel do in captivity?

Daniel remained faithful to God.



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LARGE GROUP REVIEW

AND ACTIVITIES

Key passage activity (5 minutes) “Which One is Different?” Instructions

Key Passage Poster: Daniel 6:27 (provided)

dry erase board and markers (optional)

7 sheets of colored paper (one has the Key Passage attached to it)

Make sure the key passage, Daniel 6:27, is visible for each child, either as the printed poster or

written on a dry erase board. Read the verse together.

Say • God is the One who rescues us when we are in trouble and delivers us from tough

situations. Even though Daniel and his friends just ate vegetables, God made them

stronger and smarter than any of the Babylonians. Of course, God sent Jesus to deliver us

from the worst thing ever—sin.

Seven sheets of colored paper are provided, one of which has the Key Passage on it. Flip over the

piece of paper so the words can’t be seen. Put the other six sheets of the same color paper

around the one with the key passage. Invite each kid to try to choose which piece has the verse

on it. If incorrect, allow another kid to choose. Once kids discover the key passage, invite the

winner to lead the kids in saying it.

Activity Choice (10 minutes) Option 1: Obey or Not

Read the following scenarios, and let the kids decide if the kid mentioned obeyed or not. Talk

about what each kid should have done instead. Make it a little more fun by inviting someone to

act out each scenario. See if the kids can guess what is going on.

Ruby’s dad told her to clean her room, so she picked up all her toys and stuffed them into

the closet.

John’s teacher asked him to complete a page of homework. He did most of it, but chose to

watch a TV show instead of finishing it.

Luke’s pastor told him that he should always tell the truth. He knocked over a vase that

belonged to his mother while playing basketball in the house. He told his mom he broke

the vase when he tripped and bumped the table it was on.

Lily’s friend asked her to feed her pet fish while she was on vacation. Lily forgot. The fish

was OK, so Lily acted like she had fed the fish.

Say • It would have been easy for Daniel and his friends to have said, “This is the food we’ve

been given, so we should eat it.” They didn’t. Even though they were captive to the

Babylonians, they still obeyed God’s laws. What did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel

remained faithful to God.



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Option 2: Favorites Plate plastic plates, 1 per kid

permanent markers

Give each kid a plastic plate. Demonstrate how to draw a giant plus sign to divide the plate into

four parts. Invite each kid to draw her favorite vegetable in one part and favorite fruit in one part.

Then, encourage them to draw their favorite type of grain in one part. Remind the kids that grains

can be breads, bagels, rolls, cereals, crackers, rice, or pasta. Last, they should draw their favorite

protein in the final spot. Protein could be meats, fish, peanut butter, eggs, and so forth. Explain

that a healthy plate would have a vegetable, fruit, grain, and a protein. Explain that dairy is also

good to have, like yogurt, cheese, or a glass of milk.

Say • A healthy meal usually includes eating more than just vegetables, but God blessed Daniel

and his friends because they were faithful to follow God’s rules. What did Daniel do in

captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God.

Prayer and Clean-Up (5 minutes)

Say • It’s time for one last check to see if you know the answer to the big picture question, What

did Daniel do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to God.

If time remains, take prayer requests. Pray, thanking God for His faithfulness in sending Jesus

to die for our sins. Pray for each child by name, asking God to help the kids be faithful to God no

matter what situation they find themselves in.

Clean-Up Room

DanielUNIT 19 • Session 1 • Younger Kids Activity Pages© 2013 LifeWay Christian Resources.

Instructions: Find the four people who are

eating vegetables.

© 2013 LifeWay

Family Journal Page

UNIT 19 • Session 1OK TO PRINT

Prepare a meal of nothing but vegetables with only water to

drink. Ask who in the Bible ate this type of meal for at least

three straight years. Invite each family member to share a

time when obedience wasn’t easy. Share your kids’ reactions

below.

DanielDaniel and His Friends Obeyed GodDaniel 1

Preschool Key Passage: Daniel 6:27

Big Picture Question: What did Daniel do when he

was captured? Daniel obeyed God.

Christ Connection: Daniel did what God told him to

do. God helped Daniel and his friends. Daniel wasn’t

perfect, but he reminds us of someone who was. Jesus

always did what God wanted Him to do. God is happy

when we know and love Jesus.

KidsKey Passage: Daniel 6:27

Big Picture Question: What did Daniel

do in captivity? Daniel remained faithful to

God.

Christ Connection: Daniel chose to obey

God no matter what. God blessed Daniel

and his friends. Daniel wasn’t perfect, but

he reminds us of someone who was. Jesus

obeyed God perfectly and He always

pleases God. We please God when we

trust in Jesus.

“He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from

the power of the lions.”Daniel 6:27

OK TO PRINT Daniel

grade kids bible study guide unit 19, session 1: daniel ... · pdf fileunit 19, session 1:...

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