1. Welcome to 12:13! Need to use the bathroom?
Ask a parent volunteer.
Need a handout from last week?
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 Understand THE 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. Starting Point podium Table for water/OJ table Table for coffee/food
14 chairs
podium
Table for water/OJ
table
Table for coffee/food
Starting Point