Bible Studies
Christian Living in a Non-Christian WorldDaniel 1, 6
As Christians we are to be in the world but not of the world. Many times it is difficult to know what specific activities are a part of being in the world and what things are of the world. Daniel faces this problem as a Jewish captive in Babylon. He is able to resist the sins of the Babylonian culture and yet excel in it.
We have seen that as Christians we are to respect and appreciate other cultures without letting culture control us. In this study we will look at a situation we are faced with today.
1. Read Daniel 1:1-16 and Daniel 6. In 1:1-7 we get a history of the capture of the Jews by the Babylonians. When did this happen? From your study of history, what do you know about Nebuchadnezzar? For what purposes were the Hebrews chosen by the king? What is significant about their learning the language and letters of the land they were in? What would be your feelings if you were taken to a foreign land and put in Daniel's position?
2. Why wouldn't Daniel eat the king's food (see Lev 11:44)? Why was the eunuch afraid to allow Daniel to follow his own customs? How did Daniel respond to the eunuch's fear? How else might he have responded, and what would have been the result? How would you have responded to the situation? What was the result of Daniel's faithfulness to the way God wanted him to live?
3. In Daniel 6, who was Darius? Why was Daniel given a leadership position? What does this say about Daniel's conduct in an unfamiliar situation? Why did the other people wish to complain about Daniel? if you were a Mede, how would you feel about a Hebrew gaining so much power in your government? What does the plan of the other leaders tell you about them? About Daniel? Why do you suppose Darius agreed to it?
4. What was Daniel's response to the interdict? What is significant about the fact that he prayed before open windows as previously? Why did Daniel disobey this law? Was he aware of the consequences? How do you think he felt? What would you have done? What were the results of Daniel's faithfulness (a) for himself? (b) for the nation of Media-Persia?
5. How did Daniel conduct himself in a foreign culture? What points did he go along with in the foreign culture? What points did he reject? Do you see any basic pattern for our own Christian living in a non-Christian culture?
Adapted from Should I Not Be Concerned: A Mission Reader, Urbana 87.
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