Daniel prays when he is afraid
key words
bible reference
Daniel 2:1-30, 47-48
lesson objective
That the children learn that they can pray when they are afraid.
memory verse
“Pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17, NIV*).
prepare yourself to teach
When the Babylonians conquered the land of Judah, the best men were taken captive. This was a common practice during conquests. Daniel was amongst those men. He proved to be a person of great value in the Babylonian empire.
Because of the wisdom and knowledge that God had given him, he helped King Nebuchadnezzar, and thus was given high-ranking positions. The Bible tells us that Daniel became a real counselor and leader of the wise men of the kingdom. In each stage of his life, Daniel maintained a close relationship with God and was always faithful to him. He prayed daily and went to God to receive strength and answers to his prayers.
King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream in which God revealed a future event to him. Therefore, he called his wise men and magicians, but they could not interpret the dream. The king was so angry that he ordered the death of all the wise men of his kingdom, including Daniel. Fearing for their life, they asked for another opportunity to interpret the dream. The king agreed to the request, so Daniel and his friends fasted and prayed.
God answered Daniel’s prayer and revealed the details and meaning of the dream. Daniel’s life was safe. God was exalted and as a man of faith, he held even more important positions in the kingdom. Despite fear, hardship and danger, Daniel trusted God fully. As the dream of Nebuchadnezzar revealed, the things of this world are not eternal. We can find security only through faith in God.
adaptation
Preschoolers have many fears: the dark, disease or being left alone. If you ask them what they’re afraid of, it is probably going to take more than one answer. Feeling fear is normal human behavior. However, we will not enjoy a healthy life if we allow fear to control us. This lesson will help your children know they can trust God when they are afraid.
Just like Daniel, you can pray before allowing fear to paralyze you.
Help them understand that no matter what, God is powerful, always present, and ready to listen to the prayer of His children.
introduce the lesson
The following activities will focus the attention of the children as they listen to the Bible story. Modify or add activities that fit your class’ particular needs.
God listens to our prayers
Give the children time to mention new prayer requests. If you are using the prayer poster, add new requests to the mural and note any answers to the group’s prayers. Give thanks for those prayers that have been answered. Encourage the children to pray during the week and remind them that through these lessons, they have learned that God answers the prayers of his children. Remember, it is important that you follow up on this activity and intercede for all requests during the week.
I dream with...
Sit with the children in a circle and talk about dreams. Allow some volunteers to briefly tell about the dreams they have had and how they have felt afterwards.
Tell them that today’s story tells us about a king who had a very special dream, but he did not remember it. He was very concerned its meaning.
teach the lesson
These activities will help children have a better understanding of the Bible story.
What are you afraid of?
Talk with the group about what it means to feel fear. Give soft item, such as a plastic ball, to one of the children. Tell the children to pass it to each other while the group sings or a musical instrument is played. When the music stops, the person holding the item/ ball must say something that makes them feel afraid. When everyone has participated, tell them: “When we feel fear, we can pray and ask God to help us. He hears our prayers and is close when we need it. Today’s Bible story tells us about a man who felt fear. Do you want to know who it was? Listen carefully.’
Ask your children to put their hands together in prayer every time they hear the words “prayer” or “pray” in the story.
Daniel’s prayer
Daniel was a man who loved God from his childhood. God helped him when he was taken captive to Babylon to serve the king in the palace.
King Nebuchadnezzar knew that Daniel was a very wise man. That’s why he was in his service.
One night the king had a dream that bothered him, so he sent for all the wise men of his kingdom.
“I had a dream and I want you to tell me what it means,” he said.
“Tell us what you dreamed and we can tell you its meaning,” said the wise men. But the king replied, “I want you to tell me what I dreamed and what it means. If you do not, you will all die.”
“But king, we cannot do what you ask!” replied the wise men. “Nobody in the world can do something so difficult. No other king has asked for something like this.”
King Nebuchadnezzar was very angry and ordered the guards to kill all the wise men of the kingdom. Since Daniel was also considered a wise man, he was afraid of the king’s order and prayed to God. Daniel asked his friends to pray so that God would help him know the king’s dream and its meaning.
God answered his prayers. Everyone was very happy and praised the Lord.
Daniel went to the palace and appeared before King Nebuchadnezzar, who asked him, “Can you tell me something about my dream?”
“I cannot tell you, but God can,” Daniel replied. Daniel told the King what God had revealed to him. The king was glad to know the meaning of his dream and said to Daniel, “Your God is very great and powerful.” As a reward, the king placed Daniel as the chief of all the wise men of the kingdom.
connect the lesson
Prayer reminders
Hand out Student Activity Sheet #73-A and #73-B. Allow time for the children to write their name on the top of the page and trace the word of faith (prayer). Then ask them to color, cut out and glue the bear to a flat wooden stick, so that they can hold it. As you work, tell them: “This bear is a prayer reminder. When you feel fear, remember like Daniel, you can talk to God.
Make sure everyone takes home their finished work and shares the lesson with their families and friends.
practice the memory verse
Invite the children to say the memory verse while using their prayer reminders. Because this is the unit is last lesson, it is likely that the majority will know it by heart. If possible, give some small prizes in recognition of the effort they made to learn it.
wrap-up
Pray
Sing songs about prayer and intercede for the needs of the group.
Encourage
Hand out any activity materials for them to take home, and encourage the children to pray with their family and friends.
Invite
Let the children know that in the next session they will begin a new unit of lessons. Let them know attendance is very important. Hand out all the materials for them to take home. If any of your children are facing fearful difficulties, you can visit them, encourage them, and pray for them this week.
* 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.™