Owning Religious Freedom Daniel 5:8-18; 6:10-13; Mark 12:13-17; Acts 5:27-29; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17

David & Jason Benham

Baphomet

1.What are the historic origins of religious liberty? 2.Is there a difference between religious liberty and separation of church and state? 3.What are some challenges to religious liberty today? 4.How should believers respond to events like the recent Supreme Court decision relating to gay marriage? 5.What is our responsibility when it comes to religious liberty?

John Bunyan

Owning Religious Freedom The Court and Conscience in Conflict – Daniel 5:8-18; 6:10-13 A Taxing Question about Taxes – Mark 12: Whom Should We Obey? – Acts 5:27-29; Romans 13:1-7 An Appropriate Response – 1 Peter 2:13-17

Discussion Guide: 1.The first verses of Daniel 5 describe a banquet in the palace of King Belshazzar in which the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote a message in the plaster wall. How did the King react to the writing on the wall? Who was brought to interpret the writing? How did Daniel respond to the King’s words? (Daniel 5:8-18) King Belshazzar was frightened by the writing on the wall. Daniel was called to interpret the writing. Daniel refused the King’s gifts but promised to read the writing.

Discussion Guide: 2.The first verses of Daniel 6 tell of a time when King Darius issued a decree stating that anyone who prayed to any god or man except for the King, for the following thirty days would be thrown into the den of lions. How did Daniel respond to the King’s decree? (Daniel 6:10) When Daniel heard about this decree he went to an upstairs room in his home and prayed to God, just as he had always done.

Discussion Guide: 3.What was the result of Daniel’s civil disobedience? (Daniel 6:11-13) Daniel’s enemies observed him praying and reported him to the king.

Discussion Guide: 4.What do these events from the life of Daniel tell us about religious freedom?

Discussion Guide: 5.How did the religious leaders try to entrap Jesus? (Mark 12:13-15) The religious leaders tried to entrap Jesus by asking him a controversial question about taxes.

Discussion Guide: 6.What do you think Jesus meant when he said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s?” What does this tell us about religious freedom?

Discussion Guide: 7.What was the High Priest’s accusation against Peter and the other apostles? (Acts 5:27-28) The Sanhedrin and the High Priest reminded Peter and the apostles that they had been given strict orders not to teach in the name of Jesus.

Discussion Guide: 8.What reason did Peter give for their disobedience? (Acts 5:29) Peter told the High Priest, “We must obey God rather than men!”

Discussion Guide: 9.What would you do if the government threatened you with imprisonment or death if you continued to pray, read your Bible or talk about God in public?

Discussion Guide: 10.How should a believer respond to the laws and leadership of government? (Romans 13:1-7) Believers must submit to governing authorities because they have been established by God.

Discussion Guide: 11.Why does Peter urge believers to submit themselves to governmental authority? (1 Peter 2:13-15) Peter says that it is God’s will, because when we do good we silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.

Discussion Guide: 12.What did Peter say that believers should not do with their freedom? (1 Peter 3:16) Peter says that believers should not use their freedom as a cover-up for evil.

Discussion Guide: 13.How might believers use freedom as a cover-up for evil?

Discussion Guide: 14.What role does respect play in our attitude toward government? (1 Peter 3:17) Peter says that we should respect everyone, even the king.

Discussion Guide: 15.As we have done our scripture study todayit seems that there have been two seemingly conflicting teachings. What are they? How can we reconcile them?