Materials Needed: coloring sheet of a lion (link below)
Bible Verse Daniel 6:13-24:
13 Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” 14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.
15 Then the men went as a group to the king and said to him, “Remember, O king, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.”
16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”
17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.
19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”
21 Daniel answered, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king.”
23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
Talking Points:
Daniel was thrown in the cave with the lions because the other men were jealous of him. Lions eat animals and people when they are hungry. God saved Daniel though because Daniel prayed to him and asked him to help. Because of his prayers, an Angel of the Lord came to the lions’ den and closed the lions’ mouths so they couldn’t hurt Daniel. Sometimes we have to do hard things and face difficult situations but this is when we see God’s miracles.
Questions:
Why were the men jealous of David? Have you ever had to do something that was hard? What was it? Did you pray that God would help you? Did he?
Activity:
Coloring activity:
http://www.calvarywilliamsport.com/images/daniel1.gif
Prayer:
We know, God, that you are always with us–in the good times and the bad times. We pray that we always seek your help and guidance in everything that we do and that you give us strength when we face something hard. Amen.