Here are our small group discussion questions we used at our conference.
“God is Sovereign, yet . . .”
Small Group Session #1: Daniel 1-2
A lost identity: The sovereignty of God unshaken
Daniel “resolved not to defile himself…”
Daniel 1: 8
1. What does it look like for you “not to defile yourself”?
Or, what have you discovered that has power to defile you?
- What are some personal disciplines that assist you in pursuing holiness?
- Do you think you maintain a good “safety margin” in maintaining uncompromising purity?
What would you like to change?
Reflect on the prayer of Daniel 2: 20-23.
- What have you learned about the God of Daniel in these first two chapters?
- Are there any hostile environments which you are currently facing?
What have you learned from Daniel about facing a hostile environment?
Pray for one another.
Small Group Session #2: Daniel 3-4
A blazing furnace: The glory of God revealed
“As soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp
and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations and men of every language
fell down and worshiped the image of gold…”
Daniel 3:5, 7, 9, 15
- Where do you feel pressure to conform?
· Within OMF?
· Within your family?
· Within your culture?
· Within your cross-cultural community?
What would conformity look like?
When would this conformity become sin for you?
Reflect on Daniel and his three friends in Daniel 3:16-18 (“we” is used five times).
- Consider your friends:
What does a friend look like that you can trust?
Who in your life asks you the “tough” questions?
Where can you go with a struggle?
Rate this as a current need for you on a scale from 1 . . . . to . . . . 10.
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1. I am “dying.”…………………………………………………. 10. Someone is always available |
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I rarely have someone I can talk with. |
to talk with, and I know who “they” are. |
A broken sanity: The incomparable God acknowledged
“…until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over
the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes.”
Daniel 4:32
- How do you demonstrate to others that you “acknowledge” God’s sovereignty?
How do you personally know if you are acknowledging God’s sovereignty?
- Is there any area in your life that you struggle with “acknowledging” God’s sovereignty?
Would you be willing to share an example with the group?
Pray for one another.
“And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”
Daniel 4: 37
- Read these words from C.S. Lewis about pride. In what areas do you tend to be proud? Why is it so hard to let go of control?
There is “no fault which makes a man more unpopular, and no fault which we are more unconscious of in ourselves. And the more we have it ourselves, the more we dislike it in others. If you want to find out how proud you are: “Ask yourself, How much do I dislike it when other people snub me, or refuse to take any notice of me, or shove their oar in, or patronize me, or show off?” “Pride is essentially competitive. . . Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. . . It’s the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest. Once the element of competition is gone, pride has gone.
- In what areas of pride has God been molding and shaping you?
(Consider relationships, personal needs, ministry results, present or future plans)
How do you feel? What do you find most difficult?
Small Group Session #3: Daniel 6
An impossible decree: The higher purpose of God overcomes
- What have you noticed in Daniel’s life regarding “finishing well”?
What do you think are some of the key elements in “finishing well”?
What would it look like for you to finish well?
- What resources do you need to finish well?
· Accountability partner?
· Spiritual mentor?
· Spiritual director?
Share resources with one another in your group
“Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed,
giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”
Daniel 6: 10
- Reflect on your own spiritual disciplines. What areas do you feel need to be strengthened or re-developed? Share one particular spiritual discipline that you would like to develop.
Pray for one another.
