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Sermon Study Guide

Lessons from the Life of Daniel
Part 1

Jesus’ endorsement of Daniel in Matthew 24:15

Ideas embedded within the endorsement by Jesus:
1. Jesus took for granted that Daniel was a ____________ who had written an _____________ book.
2. The book of Daniel should be ___________.
3. Jesus promised that the book of Daniel would be _____________.
4. The book of Daniel’s predictions reveal end time world conditions that will be _____________.
5. The book of Daniel’s messages are _______________, and those who grasp them must do their part in escaping the
dangers which will face them.

Background on Daniel
The name Daniel means: God is my __________.
The last day church, Laodicea, means: A people ___________.

The book of Daniel has two different genres: the prophetic and the stories. For this sermon series we will be focusing on
the stories. Of the eight stories, six reveal characteristics we are to seek to emulate as the prophecies are being fulfilled
and two reveal characteristics we are to seek to avoid as the prophecies are being fulfilled.

Background on Captivity
2 Kings 20:16-19 – Hezekiah
Jeremiah 25:11 – 70 years
2 Chronicles 36:21 – 70 years of Sabbath rest
Leviticus 26:64 – Prediction by Moses

Daniel 1
Daniel 1 is a ______________ of the entire book of Daniel. It begins with the captivity and finishes with the conquering
of Babylon by Cyrus the Mede, thus ending the captivity.

Shinar
Genesis 10:9, 10
“He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; that is why it is said, ‘Like _____________, a mighty hunter before the Lord.’”
The first centres of his kingdom were _____________, Uruk, Akkad and Kalneh, in _______________.

Genesis 11:1, 9
“Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. As people moved eastward, they found a plain in
_____________ [That is, Babylonia] and settled there…. That is why it was called _____________ [That is, Babylon] –
because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the
whole earth.”

Key Passage: Daniel 1:8

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's ________________, nor
with the __________________ which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not
defile himself.”

4 Issues with the Babylonian diet

1. The drink provided was ________________.
Alcoholic beverages are clearly forbidden by Scripture. The word "wine" in the Bible can mean either fermented
or unfermented grape juice.
 2
Proverbs 23:29-32
“Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it ____________ in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it
____________ like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will
imagine confusing things.”
2. Food offered to __________.
3. ___________ not drained in slaughter.
Lev. 17:12
“You must not eat meat that still has blood in it.”
4. The Babylonian diet included _________ meat. (See Leviticus Chapter 11)

What was the Daniel diet?

Daniel 1:12
“Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.”

The term pulse springs from the word seed and is a reference back to the Genesis diet.

Genesis 1:27
“Then God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every __________ yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and
every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be ________ for you.’”

According to the American Dietetic Association, vegetarians are at lower risk for developing: heart disease; colorectal,
ovarian, and breast cancers; diabetes; obesity; hypertension (high blood pressure).

“Study results have shown that, as a group, they [Seventh-day Adventists] currently lead the U.S. in longest life
expectancy.” National Geographic

What was the result of the Daniel diet?

Daniel 1:17
“Daniel had understanding in all __________ and _____________.”

Thesis:
In order to understand the _____________ of Daniel, we must eat the ________ of Daniel.
Cooperation
Daniel 1:17
“To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and __________________.
And Daniel could _____________________ visions and dreams of all kinds.”

When we choose to glorify God with our diet, we reap the natural benefits plus God adds to the increase. God will bless
us with spiritual and intellectual understanding when we cooperate with Him.

“The body is a most important medium through which the mind and the soul are developed for the upbuilding of
character… The body is to be brought into subjection to the higher powers of the being. The passions are to be controlled
by the will, which is itself to be under the control of God.” (Prophets and Kings, 488)

Romans 12:1
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the _________ of God, that you present your _____________ a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

1 Corinthians 6:19, 20
“Your body is the ___________of the Holy Ghost. ... Therefore glorify God in your body.”

1 Corinthians 10:31
“Whether therefore ye eat, or ________, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”