Glencairn Church

Going Deeper is designed for use with your small group, a friend or on you own. Its aim is to create time for you to spend with God and his word. Do as much or as little as you like. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact one of our pastoral staff.

1. Pray for the needs of your Life Group, for our church and our leaders, for personal and corporate renewal, and to allow God’s word to transform us. Share a recent entry from your Life Journal with the group. Review any commitments made during your previous meeting.

2. Daniel and his friends now serve their captors, their lives have been radically changed. The pressure to conform to the king’s wishes is overwhelming. The first chapter of Daniel displays Daniel’s confidence in God that enabled him to not conform. What thoughts or questions did the sermon message raise for you?

3. Read Daniel 1:8-19. How did Daniel exhibit these 6 characteristics?
1) Develop a reputation for being responsible. 2) Be humble, not belligerent. 3) Don’t be deceptive or manipulative. 4) Appeal to the authorities’ goals and interest. 5) Choose the right place, time, and words. 6) Trust God if they reject your appeal.

4. Read Proverbs 22:29. If you asked a coworker to describe your work style or reputation, what do you believe they would share with you? What would you want coworkers to say about your work?

5. Read Proverbs 25:6. Describe a time when someone was pushy or belligerent in their demands to you. How did that make you feel? Now, talk about a time when someone had a humble attitude. Which one were you more interested in fulfilling and why?

6. Read 2 Cor 4:2. What behaviors in this verse are we encouraged to embrace and how do they help guard against being deceitful or manipulative?

7. Read Phil 2:3-4. When you have a new idea or project to present, how can applying these verses help you be successful in making your argument?

8. Read Pro 16:21. When making a case to an authority, it is important to choose the right place, time, and words. Recall a time when choosing pleasant words led to success. Why is it important for us to choose our words carefully?

9. Read Romans 8:28. If your appeal is rejected, trust God that he let that happen for a reason. How can knowing God’s promises help you to hold on in the face of apparent failure?