Crossroads Church
Nebuchadnezzanity :: Ryan Howell
What’s the Issue Anyway?
We all have __________ ______ ______ __________ moments in life.
We feel the pressure most when we are standing against the __________.
The __________ choice is rarely the __________ choice.
What Wisdom do Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel 3 offer us?
The crowd always presents opportunities to compromise our ___________________.
Powerful convictions threaten powerful ________________.
The young men understood the ___________________.
Notice they __________ and were not ________________.
Don’t Miss This!
For the Jews under Antiochus Epiphanes’ persecution: God is ________________ and can ________________ you.
Three Questions to ponder in my everyday, normal life
What are the __________ ________________ in your life?
Are you slipping into _____________________________?
Are you ready to be the ________________ one in the fire?
How does this make me a better person and the world a better place?
Divine ________________ comes from faithfully walking the peacemaking path of Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking with a thankful heart.
What is God inviting you into today?
1. Today, I would like to experience the peace of God that comes from following Jesus.
2. Spend time this week looking for the “Golden Statues” around me.
3. Spend time praying this week, considering if my understanding of Christianity looks more like Nebuchadnezzar or Jesus.
Thought provoking questions:
1. Can you think of a time you have faced a choice that filled you with anxiety? Have you ever felt pressure to compromise your morals or values?
2. Why do you think the author of this story used the word “if” when the young men spoke about God’s ability to rescue them?
3. What does Nebuchadnezzar’s response to the rescue of the young men (commanding punishment for anyone who speaks against God) teach us about power and uniformity?
4. Given the horrors and atrocities of our world like Auschwitz, do you think this story is overly optimistic or fanciful given the many faithful people who have suffered and died? How do we reconcile the point of this story and the reality of our world?
5. Can you think of a time you felt like you were thrown into the fire and someone came along and stood with you? How have you experienced God in moments of pain and disappointment?
6. Do you know someone who has exhibited divine peace during terrible circumstances? How about you? Have you ever had a peace in your heart that you couldn’t explain in human terms?