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Discussion Episode | God Can Rescue Us

Bible Story Podcast
Bible Story Podcast
Discussion Episode | God Can Rescue Us
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Discussion Episode | God Can Rescue Us

We heard the story of Daniel’s three friends being thrown into a blazing furnace because they would not worship a statue that King Nebecunezzer set up. We were left with this challenge to reflect on. God can rescue us; will you honour him regardless if he does or does not like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?

Daniel 3

Story Episode Link

Lesson

God can rescue us; will you honour him regardless if he does or does not like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?

Questions

  1. Tell each other about a difficult time in your life and how you honoured God or did not honour God.
  2. Our Growth tip today talked about making honouring God a habit. What are some routines and habits that you have that honour, God? How could you tweak or change a habit so that you can better honour God?
  3. People may not ask you to bow down to a statue, but people will encourage you to do things that do not honour God. It could be friends pressuring you to do something wrong, or it may be images that you see on social media that cause you to want to explore other things that don’t honour God. What are some behaviours that you know dishonour God but are consistently enticing you?

Tips and Tricks for leading a discussion

It is common for people to not pursue God like they know they should or with as much effort as they onced did.

Have a conversation with them and rather than challenging them just listen and ask questions.

If it is you than find someone to talk with about it!

Growth Tip

Make honouring God a habit! One thing that is so important is to honour God in the little things. When we honour God in the little things when we get to the big moments in life we will continue to honour God in those big things too. 

This is not to say that every moment will be easy? We are often tempted to go our own way and respond in a way that does not honour God. Rather than thinking of life as a bunch of decisions think of life as a bunch of habits. The more your habits honour God the easier it becomes to continue in those habits when something really difficult comes your way and you are tempted to choose a path that does not honour God. Make honouring God a habit and you will continue to honour God when challenges and difficulties arise.

Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

God is in Control

Bible Story Podcast
Bible Story Podcast
God is in Control
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God is in Control

Today we are going to learn that God is in control. Now, that does not mean God is controlling. He has given us free will and allows us to make every big and little decision for our lives. God is in control of everything because He is all-powerful.

A few years have passed since Daniel, and his three friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, were taken from their homes in Jerusalem and forced to serve King Nebuchadnezzar. All was going well for these four men, but I am sure they were all still hurting and missed their families, friends and home back in Jerusalem. 

I am confident they could see how God was protecting them and guiding each of them as they settled in the land of Babylon and served King Nebuchadnezzar. God was watching out for them and blessed each of them. Our God has not changed; He does not change. He was good back in Daniel’s day, and he is good now. Since our Lord is good, we can have confidence in the fact that God will care for you and watch out for you.

Daniel 2

Story Episode Link

God is in control even when it seems the worst is about to unfold.

God is in control even when it seems the worst is about to unfold. The king did not kill Daniel and his three friends instead he promoted. God puts the world leaders into their roles. God knows the future, and he takes care of those who love and follow him!

One of the things I admire about Daniel is that when he got news about the King’s order to execute all the wise men, he didn’t panic, but he and his three friends started praying. They believed that could help them. Learn from Daniel, pray because God is in control.

Discussion Episode | God is in Control

Bible Story Podcast
Bible Story Podcast
Discussion Episode | God is in Control
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Discussion Episode | God is in Control

In this episode, we learned about how King Nebuchadnezzar wanted his wise men to tell him his dream and what it meant. The problem was, he was not going to tell anyone anything about his dream. God revealed to Daniel the dream and what it meant. Daniel saved all the wise men from death, including himself and his three friends.

We learned from the interpretation of the dream and Daniel’s response to the situation that God is in control, and we can trust him because God is good.

Daniel 2

Story Episode

Lesson

God is in control even when it seems the worst is about to unfold.

Questions

  1. How would you respond to the captain of the guard knocking on your door and hearing the whole story that led to the King’s order to execute the wise men?
  2. Ok have each person finish the following sentences.
    Life is hard because ______.
    God is in control so I can ____________.
  3. When God answered Daniel’s prayer he started to praise God. Tell each other how God has cared for you and then give thanks and praise God with each other. For example, God has given me health throughout my life. I praise you God because you are a wonderful creator and designer. Thanks for giving me a healthy body. Your turn. Tell each other how God has cared for you and then give thanks and praise God with each other!

Tips and Tricks for leading a discussion

Is there someone in your group (maybe it’s you) who is grumpy, upset, or just sad? Take time to listen to them before jumping into the discussion.

Growth Tip

One important thing is good friends that love God. Who we spend time with will help us grow closer to God or discourage us from growing closer to God.

We all need good Christian friends that are dependable. Daniel needed his friends to pray, and they did! Who are the Christian friends in your life that help you grow closer to Jesus? Who will help you when life gets hard? Consider letting them know how much you appreciate them and be sure to be praying for them regularly.

Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

When Everything Goes Wrong

Bible Story Podcast
Bible Story Podcast
When Everything Goes Wrong
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When Everything Goes Wrong

When everything goes wrong, God is still present and ready to help you through difficult times. I have met a lot of people and have listened to a lot of stories. Stories about tough times when everything goes wrong! Some people not only remain faithful to God like the Characters in our story today but grow closer to God. I have also seen others become very angry at God and walk away from their relationship with God. But, even then, when everything goes wrong, God is still present and ready to help each person through difficult times. 

Yout can find today’s story in the book of Daniel, which is in the Old Testament. The nation of Israel, at this point, is divided into two kingdoms, the Northern part was called Israel, and the Southern part was called Judah. 

The Northern Kingdom, Israel, had already been captured. They had already been exiled to other parts of the world. The kingdom of Judah followed in Israel steps worshipping false gods, which involved some terrible behaviours. The king of Judah at this time was King Jehoiakim, and he was a relatively new king only three years into his reign when this story takes place.

Discussion Episode | When Everything Goes Wrong

Discussion Episode | When Everything Goes Wrong

Bible Story Podcast
Bible Story Podcast
Discussion Episode | When Everything Goes Wrong
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Discussion Episode | When Everything Goes Wrong

It feels like a lot has gone wrong in 2020 with COVID 19. You and your family may have some other things that have made life even more complicated and challenging amid everything that is going on. Today in your discussion, encourage one another to be vulnerable.

King Nebcubnezzer took Daniel and his three buds by force away from their home in Jerusalem to enter the Royal Service in Babylon.

Daniel 1

Story Episode

Lesson

When everything goes wrong God is still present and ready to help you through the difficult times.

Questions

  1. One of the difficult things when everything is going wrong; we often can’t see how God is working because we are so fearful and anxious about the situation. We often need our friends to help us understand how God is working. Imagine the conversation between Daniel and his three friends as they walked to Babylon.
  2. After arriving in Babylon and being served from the King’s table or kitchen, what would you hope to see on that table?
  3. Think back to a situation that was hard when everything seemed to go wrong. How did God help you through that time?

Tips and Tricks for leading a discussion

Listen carefully to each other and when someone has shared something vulnerable show your appreciation.

Growth Tip

When everything goes wrong, we need a reminder of God’s presence. What is something that can tell you of God’s presence? Every time you see or hear that reminder, acknowledge God and say a little prayer.

Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

Even the Best is Tempted

Bible Story Podcast
Bible Story Podcast
Even the Best is Tempted
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Even the Best is Tempted

Did you know that even the best is tempted? The best of us was tempted just like you and I. We are going to look at a story about this today, and I think you will find that there are some exciting things to learn about today!

You know, when I am tempted, there are a few things that are often present within me. Usually, I am sad or angry, and I’m typically pretty tired. As you listen to this story, think about some of the things that the main character is feeling. 

Now it’s important to note that temptation and sin are not the same things. Temptation, is the consideration of acting out our sinful desires. For example, two brothers are fighting, and the one thinks to himself, I would sure like to punch him but resists that desire to punch. The other brother has the same thought I would sure like to punch him but then does punch his brother. Both brothers were tempted to punch, but only one hit or punched his brother. Now, this is an essential concept for us to remember so that we can fully understand this story. If a person does not act on the temptation, then they have not sinned. 

Last week we heard about Jesus’ baptism. He went up to the Jordan River, found his cousin John and then was baptized. As Jesus came up out of the water, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove, and a voice from heaven said this is my son whom I love, and I take great joy in him!

There are two characters in today’s story, Jesus and the Devil. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went out into the wilderness, and this is where we pick up today’s story!

Discussion Guide | Even the best is Tempted

Discussion Guide | Even the Best is Tempted

Bible Story Podcast
Bible Story Podcast
Discussion Guide | Even the Best is Tempted
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Discussion Guide | Even the Best is Tempted

You know there are a lot of situations where we find ourselves tempted. I am going to list a few of these circumstances and I’d like you as a group to come up with a plan. Talk about how you should respond to each, how to avoid these situations if possible, and if there are any scripture verses that might help you to respond well.

Matthew 4:1-11

Story Episode

Discussion Guide | Even the Best are TemptedDownload

Lesson

Even the best, Jesus, was tempted.

Situations

  • You find yourself at school or work when your friends are talking poorly about others behind their backs.
  • You find yourself on your phone or device when an image or video comes up that you know is not good.
  • You are asked to complete a task immediately by your boss, teacher, or parent but you feel really tired and want to do it later.
  • Think of a situation that you would like help with when you are tempted. Describe the situation and then answer the following.

Questions

  1. How should you respond? 
  2. Is there a way to avoid this situation in the future? 
  3. What scripture can you respond with?

Growth Tip

To respond with scripture, we need to know the scriptures. Memorizing Bible verses is a great practice. I won’t lie memorizing is hard work, but the payoff is huge, and it will serve you very well for the rest of your life! So Memorize scripture as a defence in the temptations that will come your way!

Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

Created to be Loved

Bible Story Podcast
Bible Story Podcast
Created to be Loved
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Created to be Loved

You were created to be loved by God and he takes so much joy in you! Some of the biggest questions in life that we all have to answer at some point is this, “Who am I? What is my purpose?” Let me jump ahead a bit and just spell it out really clearly. You were created by God. You were created to be in relationship with him. You were created to be loved by God and he takes so much joy in you!

Perhaps this is not the answer you expected or maybe it was. Regardless, according to scripture, you were clearly made for a relationship with God. What an incredible gift that is.

Discussion

Discussion Guide | Created to be Loved

Bible Story Podcast
Bible Story Podcast
Discussion Guide | Created to be Loved
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Discussion Guide | Created to be Loved

You were created to be loved by God and he takes so much joy in you! Having someone gush over you can be a bit awkward, yet this is exactly what God is doing about you! Soak it in and enjoy it!

Matthew 3:13-17

Story Episode

Discussion Guide | Created to be LovedDownload

Lesson

You were created to be loved by God and he takes so much joy in you!

Questions!

  1. Have any of you been baptized? If so share the story of your baptism. If you have not been baptized then share your thoughts about being baptized.
  2. Imagine you are one of the people on the shore of the Jordan River watching John baptize Jesus and then the Holy Spirit descending from above and settling on him like a dove. Try and imagine what that looked like and how everyone responded.
  3. Followers of Christ have the Holy Spirit. God has given the Holy Spirit to fill us with his love! What are some other things you know about the Holy Spirit?
  4. Most people don’t think very highly of themselves. How can you begin to adopt God’s opinion of you and how will that help you show love?

Growth Tip

Play a simple game with others. With enthusiasm and excitement call a person’s name and wait for them to look at you Now, with the biggest grin on your face, simply say. God loves you. Do your best to make them smile! 😉

Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

Stay Humble and True to God

Bible Story Podcast
Bible Story Podcast
Stay Humble and True to God
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Stay Humble and True to God

Stay humble and true to God, is easier said than done. Life can be hard. It is full of temptation. It can seem like the only answer is the very tempting thing. In today’s lesson, we will learn about Achan and the temptation he faced.

What is behind the temptation for each of us is an emotion. It may be fear, anger, sadness, loneliness or frustration. For us to deal with temptation well, we first need to deal with the emotion behind it.

Discussion