Welcome to 12:13!

1. Welcome to 12:13! • Need to use the bathroom? • Ask a parent volunteer. • Need a handout from last week? • Ask a parent volunteer. • Need to borrow a pen? • Loan us a shoe and we will loan you a pen! • Need to talk with your friend? • Before or after class, but not during

2. The Greatest Story Ever Told How To Read And UnderstandTHE PROPHETS (Daniel, Part 3/ Ch. 3)

3. How To Understand The Prophets • Get help! (Commentaries, dictionaries, etc.) • Understand the history of the time • Big Picture (Israel in Exile, Babylonian Empire) • Fine Detail (Nebuchadnezzar) • Learn how to read poetry • Realize that their future may be our past

4. The Purpose Of The Prophets • Prophets are God’s spokesmen, God’s messengers • “They were like ambassadors from the heavenly court, who relayed the divine sovereign’s will to the people.” (Fee, 170) • What was their main job? • Remind Israel to keep their covenant with God

5. The King’s Statue & Decree (3:1-7) • Statue of gold • “King Nebuchadnezzar had set up” • Bow down to the image • Or be cast into the furnace

6. Three Jews Accused and Threatened (3:8-15) • Accused of not bowing down before the statue • Offered a second chance • Threatened with their lives • “And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hand?” (Daniel 3:15) • Forgot about the God of god’s (2:47)

7. Trivial Pursuit (Art & Culture) • What’s the name of the Indian Chief’s daughter in Never Never Land? • What date is Boxing Day observed on? • Who tells stories about Brer Rabbit? • What day is Canada day observed on?

8. The Jews Confess Their Faith (3:16-18) • Where does their courage come from? • They were looking forward to a coming King and His eternal kingdom (2:44) • Daniel 2:44 • Our God is able (We know who we serve) • Our God is good (He will deliver us from you) • We will not serve you or your gods

9. The Jews Punished(3:19-23) • Angry King • Furnace heated seven time hotter! • Bound by soldiers • Flames killed the soldiers • Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego fell into the furnace

10. Trivial Pursuit (Book of Daniel) • Who is the second king we meet in the book of Daniel? • Who was the king when Daniel got cast into the lions den? • What two animals are in Daniel’s vision in Chapter 8?

11. The Jews Vindicated (3:24-27) • King was astonished by what he saw • Four men in walking in the furnace • Fourth looked like a son of the god’s • Jesus? (Christophany) Angel? • Gods presence with believers (Isaiah 43:2) • Called out of the furnace • Fire had no power over their bodies • Hair not signed, cloaks not burned, no smell of fire

12. Kings Decree to Honor God (3:28-30) • King praises God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego • Decree: anyone who speaks against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will be torn limb to limb • Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego promoted

13. On Each Side of the Fiery Furnace • God receives praise from the world (2:47 & 3:28) • God’s people are protected from the world (2:48 & 3:29) • God’s people are given productive work to do in the world (2:49 & 3:30)

14. What’s the Cause? (3:16-18) • Uncompromising resistance to the pull of the world • Not willing to compromise • Will not give their allegiance to anyone but God • Unshakable confidence in the providence of God • God gave (1:2,9,17) • God was at work in everything

15. What’s the Cause?(3:16-18) • Trust in their God and a coming King • Not a belief in themselves but in their God • “Our God is able” • They remembered the promise of a coming King who’s kingdom will endure forever! (2:44) • Genesis 3:15 • 2 Samuel 7

16. table 14 chairs 14 chairs 14 chairs 14 chairs 14 chairs 14 chairs podium Table for water/OJ Table for coffee/food Starting Point