During the time that God’s people were exiles in Babylon, God proclaimed His name in this foreign land. Daniel was a believer in the true God. Highly respected in the eyes of King Darius, Daniel was made a trusted leader in Babylon. Other leaders became jealous and passed a law for the purpose of getting rid of Daniel. The men who convinced the king to pass this law turned him in when he disobeyed it. Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den. However, God spared him from the lions and Daniel emerged the next day unharmed. Because of the wonders he had seen, King Darius wrote to all peoples, nations, and men of every language that they must fear and revere the God of Daniel. God’s name spread. God continues to bless His people because of His great love for them, but he also continues to bless them in light of His purpose to be known in every nation!
Bible: Read Daniel 6 together as a family.
Family Activity:
Teaching Time: 10 minutes
Materials: ball, wall
Find a wall outside your house or inside to bounce the ball off of. Have family members line up side by side, facing the wall. This ball is going to represent God’s blessing. God first blessed Daniel by sparing him from the lions. Throw the ball at the wall. When it bounces off, the next person in line should catch it. Then the blessing was passed to King Darius. Have them throw the ball at the wall for the next person to catch. God’s blessing then extended to all peoples when King Darius wrote to them telling them of the God of Daniel. You can repeat the activity as many times as you’d like. You could have the kids state how the blessing was passed on as they throw the ball towards the wall and catch it.
Discuss:
- What three people or groups of people were blessed by God? How did God bless them? What was the greater purpose of God blessing Daniel?
- King Darius learned about God by watching Daniel. What can others around you learn about God by watching your family?
Say With Me (for ages 2-3):
God’s blessing spreads.
Pray:
Pray that God would use your family to demonstrate who God is to others.