The Book of Daniel: Daniel 1: 1-3, 6

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the vessels of the house of God; and he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and he brought the vessels into the treasury of his god. Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, including some of the royal family and of the nobles... Now among them from the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. (Daniel 1:1-3, 6, NASB)

Sermon Summary
On Sunday, Pastor Russell Johnson began our 14-week journey through the book of Daniel with "Daniel and The Rest of the Bible," using Briton Riviere's 1872 masterpiece of Daniel in the lions' den to introduce this remarkable book. Pastor Russell emphasized that Daniel models for us what it looks like to maintain faithfulness to God when the world and culture around us are hostile to our biblical worldview, displaying "quiet confidence" in God even as a teenager while being "far from home in a strange land, with strange customs and strange gods." The sermon revealed both the historical reality of Judah's exile beginning in 605 BC and the theological truth that "the Lord gave Jehoiakim into Nebuchadnezzar's hand," demonstrating God's faithful humility as He was willing to suffer shame to awaken His people to their sin. Pastor Russell concluded by answering the question of what hasn't changed even though we find ourselves far from home: "God has not changed; he is still there, He is still present."

1. What's the most "far from home" situation you've experienced—whether moving to a new place, starting a new job, or finding yourself in completely unfamiliar circumstances?
2. Pastor Russell described how Briton Riviere painted the lions with different personalities—some "ready to bounce and snarling," others "timid and cowering," and the large male "fascinated with Daniel." Which lion best represents how you are approached by the world as your faith is challenged or tested?
3. How does our understanding of being "far from home" in this world affect the way we navigate daily situations where our biblical worldview clashes with cultural values?
4. Pastor Russell emphasized Daniel's "quiet confidence" even as a teenager facing impossible circumstances. What area of our lives currently needs that same quiet confidence in God's presence and sovereignty?
5. The sermon explained God's "faithful humility"—being willing to suffer shame if it might awaken His people to their sin. How do we balance recognizing God's discipline in difficult circumstances without becoming bitter or losing hope in His goodness?
6. Pastor Russell shared how Elisabeth Elliot used the Apostles' Creed to answer "What things have not changed even though my husband has died?" What loss or major change in your life has challenged you to remember what hasn't changed about God?
7. Pastor Russell concluded that "God has not changed; he is still there, He is still present" even when we're far from home. What's one specific way you'll live out that truth this week in a situation where you feel spiritually or culturally distant from your comfort zone?

Extra Credit
Look up and read these passages about God's presence in difficult circumstances:

1 Samuel 5:1-2 - When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it to the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon.
Philippians 2:6-8 - who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Luke 21:23-24 - Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days; for there will be great distress upon the land and wrath to this people; and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Jeremiah 25:11-12 - This whole land will be a desolation and a horror, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years. Then it will be when seventy years are completed I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, declares the Lord, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans; and I will make it an everlasting desolation.

How do these passages expand our understanding of God's faithfulness even when circumstances make Him appear absent or defeated? What common thread runs through all of them about God's character and presence during seasons of apparent loss or exile?