1. Shaping the Next Generation’s Future

2. Text: Daniel 1:1-7 1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

3. 2 And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure-house of his god. 2 And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure-house of his god.

4. 3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz (eunuch), chief of his court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility — 3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz (eunuch), chief of his court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility —

5. 4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. 4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians.

6. 5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. 5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.

7. 6 Among these were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 6 Among these were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.

8. Is there any hope for the next generation? Is there any hope for the next generation? Based on where we are now as a nation … what does the future of the next generation look like? Based on where we are now as a nation … what does the future of the next generation look like? How would you like things to be different? How would you like things to be different?

9. Fact Only the future is shapeable. Only the future is shapeable. You cannot shape the past; it is over. You cannot shape the past; it is over. You cannot shape the present; it is passing by. You cannot shape the present; it is passing by. You can only shape the future...it is still coming. You can only shape the future...it is still coming.

10. Shaping Defined To shape means: To mold or To make into a particular form… To shape means: To mold or To make into a particular form… Shaping the Future means: Pre- forming and conditioning a way of life or mode of existence. Shaping the Future means: Pre- forming and conditioning a way of life or mode of existence.

11. Learning from the world system For us to be able to shape the future of the next generation, we need to understand, learn and counter attack the system of the world. For us to be able to shape the future of the next generation, we need to understand, learn and counter attack the system of the world.

12. World system Nebuchadnezzar

13. 1.Besiege To besiege… is an act of surrounding or crowding around with hostile forces… to strip off power, rights and captivate. To besiege… is an act of surrounding or crowding around with hostile forces… to strip off power, rights and captivate. Dan1:1 …Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. Dan1:1 …Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

14. 2. Pick the Cream of the crop Cream of the crop…the most powerful and influential people… Cream of the crop…the most powerful and influential people… Dan 1:4 …(choose) Young, good looking with no blemish, Gifted with wisdom, knowledge, and the ability to learn quickly... from the royal family and the nobility. NIV Dan 1:4 …(choose) Young, good looking with no blemish, Gifted with wisdom, knowledge, and the ability to learn quickly... from the royal family and the nobility. NIV Dan 1:4 Dan 1:4

15. 3.Change of Mindset The set of beliefs a person has which affects the outcome of all their endeavors. The set of beliefs a person has which affects the outcome of all their endeavors. Daniel 1:4b…to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. Daniel 1:4b…to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. "Tell me what you read and I'll tell you who you are“ Francois Muriac "Tell me what you read and I'll tell you who you are“ Francois Muriac Francois Muriac Francois Muriac Brain a key to success

16. 4.Change of Diet Daniel 1:5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table… Daniel 1:5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table… …to sit at the king’s table and dine, symbolized a covenantal relationship (ancient belief)

17. 5. Change of Identity Names are not just names …they have roots and they carry wait…able to shape our destiny accordingly… Names are not just names …they have roots and they carry wait…able to shape our destiny accordingly… Daniel 1:7 The chief official gave them new names… Daniel 1:7 The chief official gave them new names…

18. Daniel (God is my judge) - Belteshazzar (a servant of Bel) Daniel (God is my judge) - Belteshazzar (a servant of Bel) Hananiah (the Lord is gracious) - Shadrach (inspired by the sun god) Hananiah (the Lord is gracious) - Shadrach (inspired by the sun god) Mishael (who is what God is?) - Meshach (who is what the moon god is?) Mishael (who is what God is?) - Meshach (who is what the moon god is?) Azariah (the Lord helps) - Abed-Nego (servant of Nebo) Daniel 1V:7 Azariah (the Lord helps) - Abed-Nego (servant of Nebo) Daniel 1V:7

19. Our response

20. 1.Revolution A total or radical change of mind… transformation of mind… A total or radical change of mind… transformation of mind… Rom 12:2 Do not conform (fashion) any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind… Rom 12:2 Do not conform (fashion) any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…

21. 2. Take a stand To assume or maintain an upright position… To assume or maintain an upright position… Dan 1:8 …Daniel purposed (resolved) in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s meat, nor with the wine… Dan 1:8 …Daniel purposed (resolved) in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s meat, nor with the wine…

22. 3. Be Committed

23. COMMITMENT COMMITMENT …is remaining steadfast and true to your principles and goals, no matter how much dust is kicked up on the path ahead. …is remaining steadfast and true to your principles and goals, no matter how much dust is kicked up on the path ahead. Dan 1:8b Dan 1:8bDan 1:8bDan 1:8b NB: "he requested"…He did not "demand", but respected the authority of those over him.

24. 4. Plead God’s Favour …promotion over another …promotion over another Dan 1:9 God gave him favor in the eyes of the chief of eunuchs… Dan 1:9 God gave him favor in the eyes of the chief of eunuchs… Dan 1:9 Dan 1:9 Dan 1:9 Now God had caused the official to show favour and sympathy to Daniel, Dan 1:9 Now God had caused the official to show favour and sympathy to Daniel,

25. 5. Be competent …the quality of being adequately or well qualified physically and intellectually. …the quality of being adequately or well qualified physically and intellectually. Dan 1:12 “…test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink…13 Then compare…and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” Dan 1:12 “…test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink…13 Then compare…and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.”

26. The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time. Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln