Day 1: Family and Youth

Read It: Daniel 1:8 - 21

8 But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials, 10 and the commander of the officials said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces looking more haggard than the youths who are your own age? Then you would make me forfeit my head to the king.” 11 But Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander of the officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be observed in your presence and the appearance of the youths who are eating the king’s choice food, and deal with your servants according to what you see.”

14 So he listened to them in this matter and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of ten days their appearance seemed better and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king’s choice food. 16 So the overseer continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink and kept giving them vegetables. 17 As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom; Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams.

18 Then at the end of the days which the king had specified for presenting them, the commander of the officials presented them before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and out of them all not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; so they entered the king’s personal service. 20 As for every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and conjurers who were in all his realm. 21 And Daniel continued until the first year of Cyrus the king.

Meditate On It:

1. What did Daniel and his friends go through under the Babylonians? Read Daniel 1:1-7 for more context.

2. What did Daniel do differently from the other youths around him? Why was it so important? (vv 8-12)

3. How did Daniel’s request turn out? What did God do to protect him and his friends? (vv 9, 14-17)

4. What happened to Daniel and his friends as a result? Why was this so significant? (vv 18-21)

Apply It:

Daniel and his friends, having grown up in families that worshiped God, were now in a foreign land – serving under several pagan kings. Despite being exiled, they remained loyal to the Lord and faithful in all of their dealings. These young Israelites continued in their convictions to seek God above all, praying for victory in their journey with God. Daniel’s exemplary standing is one that has impacted his friends, through nations & kingdoms, fulfilling God’s purpose in his lifetime.

1. What are a few examples of my personal convictions? (Ask God in what particular aspect/s of life you need to obey Him. Write them down.)

2. How specifically can I be a godly example and influence among family, classmates/workmates, and friends?

3. In what ways can I develop a lifestyle of prayer and fasting as I go about my daily activities and various roles in life? (Set Simple, Measurable, Appropriate, Realistic, and Time-bound [SMART] commitments. For example: Allot certain days in a week for unhurried time of prayer, Bible-reading, meditation, and fasting. It is also ideal to practice this together with your family, small group, or friends.)

Pray It:

Ask God to use you as a channel of His love to your close relationships, relatives, and family members:

• to be a more Christ-like spouse, parent, child, family member, friend, etc.
• to shepherd our families and friends in the ways of the Lord
• to be filled with the Holy Spirit and exhibit its fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)
• to glorify and praise God in all things, even through the challenging relationships in our families

Let us confess our tendency to take our relationships for granted, to ignore conflicts and tensions, as well as unforgiveness to those who have hurt us within our families.

Pray to be more intentional starting this week to a family member, relative, or friend with whom you need to reconcile.

Take the opportunity to pray with your loved ones and affirm each other's good qualities and actions. Take time to ask one another: "How can I improve? How have I hurt you? Will you forgive me?", then pray for each other.

Pray for the youth in your family, our church, and in our nation to know Jesus in their most vulnerable years; to be discipled excellently, develop lifelong godly convictions and habits that will influence generations and nations for God's purpose.