THE COURAGE OF DANIEL

 

memory verse for this unit

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1, NIV*).

objectives of this unit

This unit will help your students:• Decide to defend their faith in God, despite difficult situations• Learn to trust God’s wisdom• Understand what the judgment of God means• Learn that having faith in God gives us courage.

the reason we teach this unit

God calls the Church to epxpress its life in the unity and fellowship of the Spirit. When we deeply care for one another, we discover just how rich our identy is in Christ, and spiritual growth results. Loving relationships in the Body of Christ help us walk the path of holiness because we are receiving both encouragement and loving correction. We take a personal interest in one another and encourage each other to grow in God's grace. Spirit-enabled relationships are necessary as we support one another in living a fully surrendered and Spirit-filled life.

At this stage of their development, pre-adolescents face serious identity problems and want others to accept them. It is common for them to worry about what others think of them and try to do anything to identify with the group. For that reason, sometimes they easily give in to pressure and conform to what the world offers them. Most Christian pre-adolescents want to please God, but they require adult support to make decisions that honor the Lord. They need to have positive role models nearby to help them live as God wants, encouraging them to defend their faith and resist the temptation to act like others. The life and testimony of Daniel, Azariah, Mishael and Ananias (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) will be excellent examples for your students. Help them understand that, although they were young and living in a terrible situation, they obeyed God and defended their faith.

* Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™