CHRONOLOGICAL

A.D.

B.C.

Volume 6
WINTER 2016-17: Personal

Study Guide HCSB

Ed Stetzer Ge n e r a l E di t or
Trevin Wax M a n ag i ng E di t or

Gods Word to You

A Summary of the Bible

In the beginning, the all-powerful, personal God created the universe. This God
created human beings in His image to live joyfully in His presence, in humble
submission to His gracious authority. But all of us have rebelled against God
and, in consequence, must suffer the punishment of our rebellion: physical death
and the wrath of God.
Thankfully, God initiated a rescue plan, which began with His choosing the
nation of Israel to display His glory in a fallen world. The Bible describes how
God acted mightily on Israels behalf, rescuing His people from slavery and then
giving them His holy law. But Gods peoplelike all of usfailed to rightly
reflect the glory of God.
Then, in the fullness of time, in the Person of Jesus Christ, God Himself came to
renew the world and to restore His people. Jesus perfectly obeyed the law given
to Israel. Though innocent, He suffered the consequences of human rebellion by
His death on a cross. But three days later, God raised Him from the dead.
Now the church of Jesus Christ has been commissioned by God to take the
news of Christs work to the world. Empowered by Gods Spirit, the church
calls all people everywhere to repent of sin and to trust in Christ alone for our
forgiveness. Repentance and faith restores our relationship with God and results
in a life of ongoing transformation.
The Bible promises that Jesus Christ will return to this earth as the conquering
King. Only those who live in repentant faith in Christ will escape Gods
judgment and live joyfully in Gods presence for all eternity. Gods message is
the same to all of us: repent and believe, before it is too late. Confess with your
mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe with your heart that God raised Him from
the dead, and you will be saved.

A Word from the Editors

Ed Stetzer
General EditorThe Gospel Project
Professor, Billy Graham Distinguished Chair, Wheaton College
Of the many stages that the people of Israel experienced throughout the
chronology of the Old Testament, perhaps none is more applicable to the church in
our culture, or any culture for that matter, than is the Exile and Return, for this is
the situation in which we live. We are strangers in the world, said to be temporary
residents dispersed throughout a foreign land (1Pet.1:1; 2:11). One day our
Fathers kingdom will be on earth as it is in heaven, but until that day, we are exiles
awaiting the fulfillment of our salvation found in King Jesus.
As exiles, we live here, but we do not belong here as it is now. We aim to
live in peace with everyone, being faithful to our God in our families, jobs, and
communities. But inevitably, the priorities of kingdoms of this world clash with
the priorities of the kingdom of our God, just as they did for Daniel, his friends, Esther, Nehemiah, and
Ezra. Their singular devotion to the one true God put them in the crosshairs of those who made gods of
themselves and of the things of this world. So how did these exiles respond? I dare not spoil our journey
through these stories now, but their actions had some amazing consequences. Standing for the glory of
God, risking their lives for His sake, these people affected the hearts and minds of their brothers and sisters
and even the very kings who ruled over them. May our faithfulness do likewise for the sake of the gospel.

Trevin Wax
Managing EditorThe Gospel Project
Author of multiple books, including Gospel-Centered Teaching, Counterfeit Gospels, and
ClearWinter Nights: A Young Mans Journey into Truth, Doubt, and What Comes After
The Old Testament comes to a close with glimmers of hope. The long dark
night of exile provides Gods people with an opportunity to shine their light to
the nations. In the dawn of their return from exile, the people of God reestablish
themselves on the Word of God and begin rebuilding the temple and the city walls.
This period of history gives us some of the most memorable characters in the
Bibles storyline. Who can forget Daniel and the courage of his friends? Or the
sanctified schemes of Esther, the queen raised up (in the words of her cousin) for
such a time as this? Or Nehemiah, the prayer warrior who became the catalyst for
Jerusalems rebuilding?
But through it all, God remains the central character. Even in books where it
seems like He may have abandoned His people to their enemies (Daniel), or in books where it seems His
ways are hidden and silent (Esther), God is there and He is active.
We need the message of these books today. The apostle Peter said we are exiles and sojourners in
this world. As exiles, we trust that no matter who on earth may be in power, King Jesus is ultimately in
control. And we make the most of every opportunity to shine our light wherever He has placed us.

EDITORS

About the Writers

The Gospel Project

Adult Personal Study Guide HCSB
Volume 5, Number 2 Winter 2016-17
Eric Geiger

Vice President, LifeWay Resources

Ed Stetzer

General Editor
Trevin Wax

Managing Editor
Daniel Davis

Unit 1:
Daniel Akin (sessions 1-4) is the President of
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and also a
professor of preaching and theology. He and his wife,
Charlotte, have four grownchildren.
Walter R. Strickland II (sessions 5-6) serves as
Special Advisor to the President for Diversity and Instructor
of Theology at Southeastern Seminary. He and his wife,
Stephanie, have three daughters, Hope, Kendra, and Kaiya.

Content Editor
Josh Hayes

Content and Production Editor

Ken Braddy

Manager, Adult Ongoing Bible Studies

Michael Kelley

Director, Groups Ministry

Send questions/comments to:
Managing Editor,
The Gospel Project: Adult Personal Study Guide,
One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0102;
or make comments on the Web at
www.lifeway.com.
Printed in the United States of America
The Gospel Project: Adult Personal Study Guide HCSB
(ISSN 2162-7207; Item 005461524) is published
quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources,
One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234,
Thom S. Rainer, President. 2016 LifeWay
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We believe that the Bible has God for its author;
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mixture of error, for its matter and that all
Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To
review LifeWays doctrinal guideline, please visit
www.lifeway.com/doctrinalguideline.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are
taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible,
copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman
Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

Unit 2:
Jimmy Scroggins (session 7) is the Lead Pastor of
Family Church in West Palm Beach, Florida. He and his
wife, Kristin, have eight children, James, Daniel, Jeremiah,
Isaac, Stephen, Anna Kate, Mary Claire, and Caleb.
Matt Capps (sessions 8-10) is Senior Pastor of
Fairview Baptist Church in Apex, North Carolina. Matt
and his wife, Laura, have three children, Solomon, Ruby,
and Abby.
D. A. Horton (session 11) currently serves as a pastor
at ReachFellowship, a church plant in Los Angeles,
California. He and his wife, Elicia, have three children,
Izabelle, Lola, and D. A. Jr.
Robby Gallaty (session 12) serves as the Senior
Pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church and President of
Replicate Ministries. He and his wife, Kandi, have two
young sons, Rig and Ryder.
Special SessionChristmas:
Rey De Armas serves as one of the campus pastors
at Christ Fellowship in Miami, leading the Coral Gables
campus. He is married to Lauren, and they have two
daughters, Zoe and Lexi.

WRITERS

Table of Contents

 uggested for
S
the week of

Unit 1: God the Sustainer (Daniel, Ezra)

December 4

10

Session 1 How to Stay Faithful in Exile

December 11

19

Session 2 The God Who Deserves Our Allegiance

December 18

28

Session 3 The Handwriting of God

December 25

37

Special Session Anticipating the Coming King

January 1

46

Session 4 God Rescues Daniel from the Lions

January 8

55

Session 5 God Brings His People Home

January 15

64

Session 6 God Sustains Us Through Adversity

Unit 2: God the Provider (Esther, Nehemiah, Malachi)

January 22

74

Session 7 For Such a Time as This

January 29

83

Session 8 Esther and the Great Reversal

February 5

92

Session 9 Nehemiah Prays

February 12

101

Session 10 Rebuilding the Wall

February 19

110

Session 11 Ezra Reads the Law

February 26

119

Session 12 The Problem of Shallow Worship

Editors Note: The Special Session suggested for December 25 is a session with a Christmas
focus. This session can be considered optional based on the circumstances of your group.
Check with your group leader to see whether or not your group will use this session so you
can prepare for the correct sessions for your group meetings.

THE GOSPEL PROJECT CHRONOLOGICAL

A Journey Through the Storyline of Scripture

Fall 2015

The Story Begins

God the Creator (Genesis 111)

God the Covenant-Maker (Genesis 1250)

Winter 2015-16 God Delivers

God the Redeemer (Exodus)

God the Lawgiver (Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy)

Spring 2016

The Promised Land

God the Savior (Numbers, Joshua)

God the Judge (Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel)

Summer 2016 A Kingdom Established

God the King (12 Samuel)

God All Wise (1 Kings, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes)

Fall 2016

Prophets and Kings

God the Revealer (12 Kings, Isaiah)

God the Pursuer (Prophets, 2 Chronicles)

Winter 2016-17 Exile and Return

God the Sustainer (Daniel, Ezra)
God the Provider (Esther, Nehemiah, Malachi)

Spring 2017

The Rescue Begins

God the Son (Gospels)

God Among Us (Gospels)

Summer 2017

Stories and Signs

Jesus the Storyteller (Synoptic Gospels)

Jesus the Miracle-Worker (Gospels)

Fall 2017

Jesus Saves

Jesus the Savior (Gospels)

Jesus the Risen King (Gospels, Acts)

Winter 2017-18 The Church on Mission

The Spirit Who Empowers (Acts)

The God Who Sends (Acts)

Spring 2018

Letters to Gods People

The God Who Directs His People (Epistles)

The God Who Changes Us (Epistles)

Summer 2018

Come, Lord Jesus

Gods Prisoner (Acts, Epistles)

The God Who Makes All Things New (Epistles, Revelation)

How to Use The Gospel Project

Session 1

Session

How to Stay Faithful in Exile

THEOLOGICAL THEME: As Christians, we can trust in Gods guidance even

while we are in exile here on earth.

When we find our feet forcibly planted in the soil of an anti-God, anti-Christian
culture, it is vitally important for our hearts to be drawn to God and our minds
immersed in His Word. The apostle Paul told the early Christians, Do not be
conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Rom. 12:2).
One of the best examples of such non-conformity comes from the Book of Daniel, from
the story of four Hebrew teenagers who were plucked from their country and taken
captive to the evil empire of Babylon.

Read the session in preparation

for group discussion. Record
any insights or questions you
may want to discuss during the
groupexperience.

What are some Christian beliefs or practices that cause us to stand out
from the world today?

Why is it important for us not to conform to the world in these areas?

In this session, we are inspired by the courage and faithfulness of Daniel and his friends.
Because they remained true to their identity as Gods chosen people and because they
were willing to demonstrate their trust in God through their actions, they provided
a testimony to Gods power and goodness while in exile. As believers, we are sojourners
and exiles in this world, redeemed by the blood of Jesus and called to be a testimony to
His grace by remaining true to our identity in Christ.

10

Date of My Bible Study:

1. Remember your true identity (Dan. 1:1-7).

How do we live in exile? To begin, we must
recognize the hand of God in our circumstances.
God may send us to a difficult place to spread His
name among the nations. God often brings
suffering into the lives of His people to
demonstrate His sovereignty, strengthen their
faith, show Himself wise and strong, and put His
glory on display among the nations that they
might be drawn to Him, as He did in this story.

Dale Ralph Davis

1
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king
of Babylon came to Jerusalem and laid siege to it. 2 The Lord handed Jehoiakim
king of Judah over to him, along with some of the vessels from the house of God.
Nebuchadnezzar carried them to the land of Babylon, to the house of his god, and put
the vessels in the treasury of his god.
3
The king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his court officials, to bring some of the
Israelites from the royal family and from the nobility 4 young men without any
physical defect, good-looking, suitable for instruction in all wisdom, knowledgeable,
perceptive, and capable of serving in the kings palaceand to teach them the Chaldean
language and literature. 5 The king assigned them daily provisions from the royal food
and from the wine that he drank. They were to be trained for three years, and at the end
of that time they were to serve in the kings court. 6 Among them, from the descendants
of Judah, were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave
them other names: he gave the name Belteshazzar to Daniel, Shadrach to Hananiah,
Meshach to Mishael, and Abednego to Azariah.

On the surface, Gods people were invaded and taken captive. But from a different
perspective, we see that Gods people were now free to bring Gods light into enemy
territory. Babylonalso known as Shinar, the land of ziggurats (remember the tower of
Babel in Genesis 11?)this place teeming with idols was now being infiltrated by the
Lords army. Israel would be oppressed and her people scattered, but the nations would
now have a witness among them to the one true and living God.

11

Session 1

______________________________

How is our missionary identity as Gods people strengthened by

remembering that our present circumstances are no accident?

Voices from
the Church
Sometimes God may allow
hardship to reach us because
he wants his mercy to reach
beyond us. 1

How can we strengthen our identity in

Christ when facing the pressures of
the culture?

99 Essential
Christian Doctrines
82. New Identity
of the Believer

In order for Gods people to be salt and

light in Babylon, they would need to be
prepared for the cultural challenges
designed to lead them away from God.

In what ways would it be easy

for Christians to fall prey to these
strategies of making us like the world?

Isolation. The Babylonian strategy

was to seize upon the Hebrews
vulnerability once they were separated
from all that was familiarhomeland,
family, and friends (v. 3). Over time, they
would be more likely to abandon their
faith and become like the Babylonians.
Indoctrination. The young men
were enrolled in an educational
school for three years to become
experts in the Babylonian language,
philosophy, literature, science, history,
and astrology, including their pagan,
polytheistic religion (vv. 4-5).

Gather with your group to

discuss and learn together what
God has to say. Contribute to the
conversation and activities.

Assimilation. The Hebrews were

expected to change their minds and
their lifestyle, to eat and drink like the
Babylonians, enticing them with the
delicacies and privileges of their new
life (v. 5). This would wear them down
and win them over to the dark side.
Confusion. Finally, the young men were
given new names (v. 7). In the ancient
world, a name went to the core of a
persons identity, so this was a way of
reorienting their lives away from their
past and toward the pagan gods of
Babylonian culture (ex. Bel, Aku, Nebo).

12

2. Embrace the risk of holiness

(Dan. 1:8-16).

When a person places faith in

Christ, that person undergoes
a fundamental change of
identity. He or she goes
from being an enemy under
Gods wrath (Eph. 2:1-3) to
being welcomed into Gods
family as a beloved child
(Eph. 2:19). The believer in
Christ is declared righteous
on account of Christs perfect
life and substitutionary death
and resurrection. No longer
is the person a slave to sin,
defined by past failures
or present struggles. The
person has been delivered
from the realm of darkness
and now belongs to the
kingdom of light (Col. 1:13).
Anyone who is in Christ is
a new creation in whom
the old, sinful self is passed
away and the new, redeemed
self is alive and progressing,
becoming more and more
like Christ (2 Cor. 5:17).

8
Daniel determined that he would not defile
himself with the kings food or with the wine he
drank. So he asked permission from the chief
official not to defile himself. 9 God had granted
Daniel favor and compassion from the chief
official, 10 yet he said to Daniel, My lord the king
assigned your food and drink. Im afraid of what
would happen if he saw your faces looking thinner
than those of the other young men your age. You
would endanger my life with the king.
11
So Daniel said to the guard whom the chief official had assigned to Daniel,
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 Please test your servants for 10 days. Let us
be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then examine our appearance and
the appearance of the young men who are eating the kings food, and deal with your
servants based on what you see. 14 He agreed with them about this and tested them for
10 days. 15 At the end of 10 days they looked better and healthier than all the young men
who were eating the kings food. 16 So the guard continued to remove their food and the
wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables.

Personal Study Guide

Session 1

13

Session 2

Session

HIS MISSION, YOUR MISSION

MISSIONAL APPLICATION: God calls us to be a shining testament

to His grace by remaining true to our identity in Christ and living

in holiness.

1. In what ways can we encourage one another regularly to live as missionaries

sent to the people around us?

Apply the truths of the session

by working through His Mission,
Your Mission with your group or
by yourself.

2. How can we fortify our faith and the faith of the next generation to
resist temptation?

The God Who

Deserves Our Allegiance
THEOLOGICAL THEME: God alone deserves our ultimate allegiance.

Echoing the apostle Paul (Phil. 1:21), Nate Saint

(1923-1956), a martyred missionary among the
missionaries to the Huaorani people group, the
Auca Indians, wrote: The way I see it, we ought
to be willing to die. In the military, we were
taught that to obtain our objectives we had to be
willing to be expendable. Missionaries must face
that same expendability. 1 Not just missionaries,
but every follower of the crucified Jesus should
have that sense of expendability.

Voices from
Church History
When through fiery trials thy
pathway shall lie, My grace,
all sufficient, shall be thy
supply; The flame shall not
hurt thee; I only design Thy
dross to consume, and thy
gold to refine. 2
From the hymn
How Firm a Foundation

Why should followers of Jesus be

willing to give their lives for the sake of the gospel?

3. With whom can you share about the grace of God available through Jesus
Christ? Write a prayer asking God to help you testify of Christ with this person.

What does this willingness communicate to others?

18

Personal Study Guide

Date of My Bible Study:

______________________________

19

Visit GospelProject.com/Blog for additional content related to the study.

Visit GospelProject.com/AdditionalResources for links to podcasts, articles,
and blog posts related to each session.

Personal Study Guide

Unit 1

God the Sustainer

Daniel, Ezra

Memory Verses

If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing
fire, and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king. But even if He does
not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or
worship the gold statue you set up.
Daniel 3:17-18

Writers
Daniel Akin is the President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Walter R. Strickland II serves as an Instructor of Theology at Southeastern Seminary.
Rey De Armas (Christmas) pastors the Coral Gables campus at Christ Fellowship in Miami.
9

Session

How to Stay Faithful in Exile

THEOLOGICAL THEME: As Christians, we can trust in Gods guidance even

while we are in exile here on earth.

When we find our feet forcibly planted in the soil of an anti-God, anti-Christian
culture, it is vitally important for our hearts to be drawn to God and our minds
immersed in His Word. The apostle Paul told the early Christians, Do not be
conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Rom.12:2).
One of the best examples of such non-conformity comes from the Book of Daniel, from
the story of four Hebrew teenagers who were plucked from their country and taken
captive to the evil empire ofBabylon.
What are some Christian beliefs or practices that cause us to stand out
from the world today?

Why is it important for us not to conform to the world in these areas?

In this session, we are inspired by the courage and faithfulness of Daniel and his friends.
Because they remained true to their identity as Gods chosen people and because they
were willing to demonstrate their trust in God through their actions, they provided
atestimony to Gods power and goodness while in exile. As believers, we are sojourners
and exiles in this world, redeemed by the blood of Jesus and called to be a testimony to
His grace by remaining true to our identity in Christ.

10

Date of My Bible Study:

______________________________

2016 LifeWay Christian Resources. Permission granted to reproduce and distribute within the license agreement with purchaser.

1.Remember your true identity (Dan.1:1-7).

How do we live in exile? To begin, we must
recognize the hand of God in our circumstances.
God may send us to a difficult place to spread His
name among the nations. God often brings
suffering into the lives of His people to
demonstrate His sovereignty, strengthen their
faith, show Himself wise and strong, and put His
glory on display among the nations that they
might be drawn to Him, as He did in this story.

Voices from
the Church
Sometimes God may allow
hardship to reach us because
he wants his mercy to reach
beyondus.1
Dale Ralph Davis

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king
of Babylon came to Jerusalem and laid siege to it. 2The Lord handed Jehoiakim
king of Judah over to him, along with some of the vessels from the house of God.
Nebuchadnezzar carried them to the land of Babylon, to the house of his god, and put
the vessels in the treasury of his god.
3
The king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his court officials, to bring some of the
Israelites from the royal family and from the nobility 4young men without any
physical defect, good-looking, suitable for instruction in all wisdom, knowledgeable,
perceptive, and capable of serving in the kings palaceand to teach them the Chaldean
language and literature. 5The king assigned them daily provisions from the royal food
and from the wine that he drank. They were to be trained for three years, and at the end
of that time they were to serve in the kings court. 6Among them, from the descendants
of Judah, were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7The chief official gave
them other names: he gave the name Belteshazzar to Daniel, Shadrach to Hananiah,
Meshach to Mishael, and Abednego to Azariah.
1

On the surface, Gods people were invaded and taken captive. But from a different
perspective, we see that Gods people were now free to bring Gods light into enemy
territory. Babylonalso known as Shinar, the land of ziggurats (remember the tower of
Babel in Genesis11?)this place teeming with idols was now being infiltrated by the
Lords army. Israel would be oppressed and her people scattered, but the nations would
now have a witness among them to the one true and living God.

Session 1

11

How is our missionary identity as Gods people strengthened by

remembering that our present circumstances are no accident?

In order for Gods people to be salt and

light in Babylon, they would need to be
prepared for the cultural challenges
designed to lead them away from God.
Isolation. The Babylonian strategy
was to seize upon the Hebrews
vulnerability once they were separated
from all that was familiarhomeland,
family, and friends (v.3). Over time, they
would be more likely to abandon their
faith and become like the Babylonians.
Indoctrination. The young men
were enrolled in an educational
school for three years to become
experts in the Babylonian language,
philosophy, literature, science, history,
and astrology, including their pagan,
polytheistic religion(vv.4-5).
Assimilation. The Hebrews were
expected to change their minds and
their lifestyle, to eat and drink like the
Babylonians, enticing them with the
delicacies and privileges of their new
life (v.5). This would wear them down
and win them over to the darkside.
Confusion. Finally, the young men were
given new names (v. 7). In the ancient
world, a name went to the core of a
persons identity, so this was a way of
reorienting their lives away from their
past and toward the pagan gods of
Babylonian culture (ex. Bel, Aku, Nebo).

12

Personal Study Guide

In what ways would it be easy

for Christians to fall prey to these
strategies of making us like the world?

How can we strengthen our identity in

Christ when facing the pressures of
the culture?

99 Essential
ChristianDoctrines
82. New Identity
of the Believer

2.Embrace the risk of holiness

(Dan.1:8-16).

When a person places faith in

Christ, that person undergoes
a fundamental change of
identity. He or she goes
from being an enemy under
Gods wrath (Eph.2:1-3) to
being welcomed into Gods
family as a beloved child
(Eph.2:19). The believer in
Christ is declared righteous
on account of Christs perfect
life and substitutionary death
and resurrection. No longer
is the person a slave to sin,
defined by past failures
or present struggles. The
person has been delivered
from the realm of darkness
and now belongs to the
kingdom of light (Col.1:13).
Anyone who is in Christ is
a new creation in whom
the old, sinful self is passed
away and the new, redeemed
self is alive and progressing,
becoming more and more
like Christ (2Cor.5:17).

Daniel determined that he would not defile

himself with the kings food or with the wine he
drank. So he asked permission from the chief
official not to defile himself. 9God had granted
Daniel favor and compassion from the chief
official, 10yet he said to Daniel, My lord the king
assigned your food and drink. Im afraid of what
would happen if he saw your faces looking thinner
than those of the other young men your age. You
would endanger my life with the king.
11
So Daniel said to the guard whom the chief official had assigned to Daniel,
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12Please test your servants for 10days. Let us
be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13Then examine our appearance and
the appearance of the young men who are eating the kings food, and deal with your
servants based on what you see. 14He agreed with them about this and tested them for
10days. 15At the end of 10days they looked better and healthier than all the young men
who were eating the kings food. 16So the guard continued to remove their food and the
wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables.
8

Session 1

13

Notice how Daniel resisted the temptation to defile himself (v.8). The immersion into
the world of pagan Babylon had not won over his heart or mind. Babylon was where he
lived, but Babylon would never be his home. Like his forefather Abraham, Daniel was
looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God
(Heb.11:10).
What do you think prepared Daniel and his friends to resist this moment
of compromise?

Daniel not only had conviction, but he also had wisdom. He walked in holiness and
humility. He shared his faith and convictions with Ashpenaz, and God granted Daniel
favor and compassion from the chief official (Dan.1:9). Daniel stood his ground, but
he did so with grace and humility. He was not arrogant or rude. He was not obnoxious
or stubborn. He kindly and winsomely won over his superior (vv.10-16). Daniel
believed and trusted God to honor his commitment to obedience.
Charles Swindoll summarizes the lesson we learn in Daniels risky holiness: In a world
filled with people who rebel against the divine King, it is inevitable that believers of all
ages will face situations in which their convictions
will be challenged. We who are parents need to
prepare our children for those occasions by both
Voices from
teaching them Gods truth and modeling
Church History
integrity. And all of us who are Christians need to
Unless there is the element
of extreme risk in our exploits
personally commit ourselves to living Gods way
for God, there is no need
2
regardless of the temptations to live otherwise.
forfaith.3
This is what Daniel and his friends had been
Hudson Taylor (1832-1905)
taught. This is how they would live or die.

14

Personal Study Guide

What did Daniel believe about God that made possible this kind
ofcourage?

In what ways does our commitment to holiness demonstrate our trust

in Gods goodness and power?

3.Look for ways to testify to Gods grace (Dan.1:17-21).

God gave these four young men knowledge and understanding in every kind of
literature and wisdom. Daniel also understood visions and dreams of every kind. 18At
the end of the time that the king had said to present them, the chief official presented
them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19The king interviewed them, and among all of them, no
one was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they began to
serve in the kings court. 20In every matter of wisdom and understanding that the
king consulted them about, he found them 10times better than all the diviner-priests
and mediums in his entire kingdom. 21Daniel remained there until the first year of
KingCyrus.
17

Here, for the third time in one chapter, God gives something (seealso vv.2,9). In this
case, He gave the four youths knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature
and wisdom. These were Proverbs men with the ability to see the things of life and
this world from Gods perspective and to actaccordingly.
God blessed Daniel spiritually by giving him the ability to understand visions and
dreams of every kind (v.17). This gift from God would prove extremely valuable in
chapter 2 and beyond (cf.4:4-27; 5:11-31; 7:18:27; 9:20-27; 10:112:13).

Session 1

15

Wisdom is often in short supply in our world. In what ways does

aChristians wisdom and understanding give glory toGod?

In what ways does such wisdom improve things in ourworld?

After their three years of education, the four Hebrew teens were brought by the chief
official to stand before King Nebuchadnezzar (1:18). They were head and shoulders
above all the rest. No one was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and
Azariah; therefore, they began to serve in the kings court (v.19). They were brought
right into the palace and into the kings courtthey were thatimpressive!
Nebuchadnezzar gave the four Hebrews key administrative posts. He was confident
they would serve and represent him well. Already in this Old Testament narrative, we
see the living out of that cardinal principle in Colossians3:23-24: Whatever you do,
do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that
you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.
Yes, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for Gods glory
(1Cor.10:31). And Daniel1:21 is not so much a footnote as it is a summary of the long
life and ministry of Daniel on account of his faithfulness to God.
How has your walk with God been impacted by the testimony of grace
from people in previous generations?

How might your walk with God impact future generations?

16

Personal Study Guide

Conclusion
Daniel and his three companions remained faithful to their true identity, obeyed God,
and became a shining testimony and witness both to Gods providence and His grace.
He sent them on a missionary journey, leaving behind all that was familiar, that they
might bear a faithful and true witness to kings and nations in foreign lands.
Daniel and his friends point forward to another
Hebrew who would arrive six hundred years later.
He also was sent to a foreign land to bear witness to
the one true God. Like Daniel and his friends, the
Son of God would leave His home and willingly
embrace a sinful world without defiling Himself
even once (2Cor.5:21; Heb.4:15; 1Pet.2:21-25).
Like these Hebrew boys, He would find favor with
God and with people (Luke2:40,52). When He
was still a child, His teachers were astounded at
His understanding and His answers (Luke2:47).4
Jesus is the embodiment of the wisdom of God
(1Cor.1:30; cf.Col.2:3).

Voices from
Church History
Therefore, their faith is not
mistaken. God does not
desert those who firmly cling
to the word of God. From this
it is apparent that humankind
does not live by bread alone
but by every word that
proceeds from the mouth of
theLord.5
Heinrich Bullinger
(1504-1575)

There is divine irony in this story. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah gave
afaithful witness before Ashpenaz and Nebuchadnezzar and were brought to live in
the kings palace. Jesus, in contrast, gave a faithful witness before Herod and Pilate
and was nailed to a cross. And yet, it is by His death that all who trust Him will live
forever with the King of kings and Lord of lords in His eternal palace. So be strong and
exercise good courage in whatever it is God calls you to do. He is with you and He is
accomplishing so much more than meets the eye!
CHRIST CONNECTION: Daniel stayed true to his identity, obeyed God, and

was a testimony to Gods grace. He points forward to the Son of God,

who willingly embraced a sinful world without ever defiling Himself and
through His death and resurrection became the greatest picture of Gods
grace the world has ever known.

Session 1

17

HIS MISSION, YOUR MISSION

MISSIONAL APPLICATION: God calls us to be a shining testament

to His grace by remaining true to our identity in Christ and living

inholiness.

1. In what ways can we encourage one another regularly to live as missionaries
sent to the people around us?

2. H
 ow can we fortify our faith and the faith of the next generation to
resisttemptation?

3. With whom can you share about the grace of God available through Jesus
Christ? Write a prayer asking God to help you testify of Christ with this person.

18

Personal Study Guide

Notes
SESSION 1

SESSION 4

SESSION 7

1. Dale Ralph Davis, The Message of Daniel,

in The Bible Speaks Today (Downers Grove:
IVP, 2013),36.

1. Joel Belz, Dare to Be a Daniel,

WORLD [online], 30 March 1996 [cited
2May 2016]. Available from the Internet:
www.worldmag.com.

1. Clement of Rome, 1Clement55:3-6,

quoted in 12 Kings, 12 Chronicles, Ezra,
Nehemiah, Esther, ed.Marco Conti, vol.V in
Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture:
Old Testament (Downers Grove: IVP, 2014)
[WORDsearch].

2. Charles R. Swindoll, Daniel: Gods Pattern

for the Future (Nashville: Thomas Nelson,
1986), 17.
3. J. Hudson Taylor, quoted in Expect Great
Things: Mission Quotes That Inform and
Inspire, comp. Marvin J. Newell (Pasadena,
CA: William Carey Library, 2013), 89.
4. David Helm, Daniel for You (Purcellville,
VA: The Good Book Company, 2015), 28.
5. Heinrich Bullinger, Daniel the Most Wise
Prophet of God, quoted in Ezekiel, Daniel,
ed. Carl L. Beckwith, vol.XII in Reformation
Commentary on Scripture: Old Testament
(Downers Grove: IVP, 2012), 247.

SESSION 2

3. Tony Evans, No More Excuses, 10th

Anniversary Edition (Wheaton: Crossway,
1996), 112.
4. Menno Simons, A Meditation on the
Twenty-Fifth Psalm, in Early Anabaptist
Spirituality: Selected Writings, ed. Daniel
Liechty (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist, 1994), 248-49.

SESSION 5
1. What are thin places? Thin Places
[online], 2014 [cited 3 May 2016]. Available
from the Internet: www.thinplace.net.

1. Nate Saint, quoted in Introducing World

Missions, 2nd ed., by A. Scott Moreau, Gary R.
Corwin, and Gary B. McGee (Grand Rapids:
Baker, 2015) [eBook].

2. Matt Boswell, Doxology and Theology

(Nashville: B&H, 2013), 15-16.

2. How Firm a Foundation, from John

Rippons Selection of Hymns in Baptist
Hymnal (Nashville: LifeWay Worship, 2008),
456.

4. Mervin Breneman, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther,

vol.10 in The New American Commentary
(Nashville: B&H, 2003) [WORDsearch].

3. John Chrysostom, Homilies on the

Statues, 4.8, New Advent [online; cited
21April 2016]. Available from the Internet:
www.newadvent.org.
4. C.H. Spurgeon, Consolation in the
Furnace, Spurgeons Sermons Volume 11:
1865 [online; cited 21 April 2016]. Available
from the Internet: www.ccel.org.

SESSION 3
1. Johann Wigand, Commentaries on
Daniel, 12, quoted in Ezekiel, Daniel, ed. CarlL.
Beckwith, vol.XII in Reformation Commentary
on Scripture: Old Testament, 305.
2. Sinclair B. Ferguson, Daniel, vol.21 in The
Preachers Commentary (Nashville: Thomas
Nelson, 1988) [eBook].

SPECIAL SESSIONCHRISTMAS
1. C. S. Lewis, in The Quotable Lewis, eds.
Wayne Martindale and Jerry Root (Wheaton:
Tyndale, 1989), 330.
2. Matt Chandler with Jared Wilson,
The Explicit Gospel (Wheaton: Crossway,
2012),172.
3. Horatius Bonar, Come, Lord, and Tarry
Not, in Christ in Song, by Philip Schaff (New
York: Anson D. F. Randolph & Company,
1869), 397.
4. Augustine, Sermons, 18.1-2, quoted in
Mark, eds. Thomas C. Oden and Christopher
A. Hall, vol.II in Ancient Christian Commentary
on Scripture: New Testament (Downers
Grove: IVP, 1998), 186.

128

2. Stephen R. Miller, Daniel, vol.18 in The

New American Commentary (Nashville: B&H,
2003) [WORDsearch].

Personal Study Guide

3. Skye Jethani, With (Nashville: Thomas

Nelson, 2011), 110.

5. Mark D. Roberts, Thin Places: A Biblical

Investigation,
Reflections
on
Christ,
Church, and Culture [online], 2012 [cited
4May 2016]. Available from the Internet:
www.patheos.com.

SESSION 6
1. Saint Augustine, City of God, 1.8, quoted in
The City of God: Books I-VII, trans. Demetrius
B. Zema and Gerald G. Walsh, in The Fathers
of the Church (Washington D.C.: Catholic
University of America Press, 2008), 28-29.
2. William Wilberforce, quoted in The Life of
William Wilberforce, by Robert I. Wilberforce
and Samuel Wilberforce, vol.5 (London:
John Murray, 1838), 318.
3. Mervin Breneman, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther,
vol.10 in The New American Commentary
[WORDsearch].
4. Ibid.
5. Ed Stetzer, What You Celebrate, You
Become, Christianity Today [online], 2June
2015 [cited 5May 2016]. Available from the
Internet: www.christianitytoday.com.
6. Charles Spurgeon, in 2,200 Quotations
from the Writings of Charles H. Spurgeon,
comp. Tom Carter (Grand Rapids: Baker,
1996), 13.

2. Adrian Rogers, Adrianisms: The Wit and

Wisdom of Adrian Rogers, vol.1 (Memphis:
Love Worth Finding Ministries, 2006), 101.
3. John Wesley, Wesleys Notes on the Bible,
Christian Classics Ethereal Library [online;
cited 13 May 2016]. Available from the
Internet: www.ccel.org.

SESSION 8
1. Andrew Murray, Humility (New Kensington,
PA: Whitaker House, 1982)[eBook].
2. J.G. McConville, Ezra, Nehemiah, and
Esther, in The Daily Study Bible Series
(Louisville: Westminster, 1985), 193.

SESSION 9
1. Jerry Bridges, I Will Follow You, O God
(Colorado Springs: WaterBrook, 2010), 91.
2. D. L. Moody, Prevailing Prayer, in The
D.L. Moody Collection, ed. and comp. James
S. Bell Jr. (Chicago: Moody, 1997), 253.

SESSION 10
1. J.I. Packer, Knowing God (Downers Grove:
IVP, 1973) [eBook].
2. Amy Carmichael, If (United States:
Popular Classics Publishing, 2012), 9.
3. John Stott and Christopher J.H. Wright,
Christian Mission in the Modern World
(Downers Grove: IVP, 2015),27.

SESSION 11
1. John R.W. Stott, Culture and the Bible
(Downers Grove: IVP, 1979),12.
2. Augustine Pagolu, South Asia Bible
Commentary, ed. Brian Wintle (Cumbria, UK:
Langham Partnership, 2015) [eBook].
3. A.W. Pink, Eternal Punishment,
Providence Baptist Ministries [online], 2012
[cited 23May 2016]. Available from the
Internet: www. pbministries.org.

SESSION 12
1. A. W. Tozer, quoted in Tozer on Worship
and Entertainment, comp. James L. Snyder
(Camp Hill, PA: WingSpread Publishers,
1997) [eBook].
2. Matt Papa, Look and Live (Bloomington,
MN: Bethany House Publishers, 2014), 246.
3. Michael Catt, The Power of Surrender
(Nashville: B&H, 2010), 150.

PLAYLIST
To download this quarters recommended playlist of songs,
go to LifeWayWorship.com/GospelProject.
Get the following collection of great songs and artists:

Salvations TidePassion
Faithful to the EndBethel Music
Same PowerJeremy Camp
Trust in YouLauren Daigle
Thank You, God, for Saving MeChris Tomlin
Im Going Free (Jailbreak)Vertical Church Band
Sovereign Over UsMichael W. Smith
Trust It AllBrett Stanfill
I Look to the KingMeredith Andrews
Facing a Task UnfinishedKeith and Kristyn Getty
Set a FireWill Reagan and United Pursuit
He Shall Reign ForevermoreChris Tomlin

129

The Gospel Project Core Values

1.PROMOTE GOSPEL TRANSFORMATION, NOT BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION

Every session points participants to the gospel of Jesus Christ as the source of
life-transformation and the foundation for spiritual growth.
2.SEE HOW THE WHOLE BIBLE FITS TOGETHER

From Genesis to Revelation, understand how the entire Bible reveals Gods plan of
redemption through Jesus Christ.
3.UNITE EVERY AGE IN CHRIST-CENTERED STUDY

For churches that wish to align all ages, The Gospel Project provides Christ-centered
study for babies through adults.
4.COMPEL MEN AND WOMEN TO LIVE ON MISSION

Every session challenges participants to consider how the gospel compels them to live on
mission every day.
5.UNDERSTAND THE KEY THEMES OF CHRISTIANITY

Helps men and women identify and understand 99 essential theological doctrines of the
Christian faith as they are found throughout the Bible.

130

Personal Study Guide

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The Gospel Project

Exile and Return
God is faithful to His word. He blessed His people with a land, but
He also exiled them from it on account of their wicked hearts,
just as He had said. Yet God continued to sustain the Israelites,
showing Himself to be the one true God even in a foreign land.
From kings, fire, and lions, the Lord preserved His servants and
demonstrated His glory and power. And when the time of their
exile was completed, He brought them home to worship Him with
a renewed faith.
Though the forced exile of the Israelites was over, they still faced
severe challenges that threatened their very existence. In the
midst of these struggles, The Lord provided for His people. He
appointed a queen for such a time as this; He led a man of faith
to return home and rebuild a wall; and He worked through a priest
to center His people on His word. Still, sin darkened and distracted
their hearts. But one day, God would provide His Son to save
people from their sin.

Whats Next?
SPRING 2017
Volume 7: The Rescue Begins

SUMMER 2017
Volume 8: Stories and Signs

God the Son (Gospels)

God Among Us (Gospels)

Jesus the Storyteller (Synoptic Gospels)

Jesus the Miracle-Worker (Gospels)

SOME OF OUR UPCOMING WRITERS

Michael Card
D. A. Horton
Kevin Smith

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WINTER 2016-17