Sp 2020 Ezekiel Daniel - Morningside Baptistmorningside.ws/.../2020/02/Sp-2020-Ezekiel-Daniel.pdf · 8 Sunday School Member Quarterly, Spring 2020, Ezekiel, Daniel Introduction to

Sunday School Member Quarterly

Spring 2020

Ezekiel, Daniel

Messages from God

Sunday School Lessons for Adults and Youth Written by John O. Yates

2604 Bemiss Road, Valdosta, GA 31602 (229) 242-1426 www.morningside.ws

Sunday School – 8:45 each Sunday Morning

Sunday School Member Quarterly, Spring 2020, Ezekiel, Daniel 2

Sunday School Member Quarterly, Summer 2005, Ezekiel, Daniel.

Copyright © 2005, John O. Yates, April 2005. All rights reserved

Revised and updated 2020 for the Spring 2020 quarter.

Unless otherwise noted, all scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Morningside Baptist Church – Valdosta, GA 3

Sunday School Lessons March through May 2020

Ezekiel, Daniel Messages from God

EZEKIEL 1 – 33 – GOD WILL JUDGE SIN Mar. 1: Commissioned By God (Eze. 1 – 3) ............................ 10 Mar. 8: Departed Glory (Eze. 4 – 11) ....................................... 13 Mar. 15: Beware of Lying Prophets (Eze. 12 – 15) ..................... 16 Mar. 22: Ungrateful (Eze. 16 – 19) ............................................. 19 Mar. 29: Single-Minded Determination (Eze. 20 – 24) ............... 22 Apr. 5: Pride (Eze. 25 – 32) ...................................................... 25 Apr. 12: Respond to the Resurrection (Mark 16; Acts 2) ............ 28 Apr. 19: Responsibility (Eze. 33) .............................................. 31

EZEKIEL 34 – 39 – GOD’S PROMISES FOR ISRAEL’S FUTURE Apr. 26: Sheep and Bones (Eze. 34 – 39) ................................... 34 May 3: The Millennial Kingdom (Eze. 40 – 48) ....................... 37

DANIEL – GOD’S WARNINGS FOR THE FUTURE May 10: Standing Firm (Dan. 1 – 3) .......................................... 41 May 17: The Danger of Pride (Dan. 4 – 6) ................................. 44 May 24: God Controls World History (Dan. 7 – 8) .................... 47 May 31: Understanding God’s Word (Dan. 9 – 12) ................... 50 Supplementary Materials

Daily Bible Reading Guide ........................................................ 4 Coming Next Quarter ................................................................. 5 Map of the Middle East .............................................................. 6 Map of Israel .............................................................................. 7 Introduction to Ezekiel ............................................................... 8 Introduction to Daniel ............................................................. 40 How to Become a Christian ...................................... Back Cover


Daily Bible Reading Guide Read the following scripture passages each day and complete the learning activities in this book each week. This will prepare you for Sunday School class, and God will bless you as you read, study, and memorize His Word.

Week of February 24 – 29 Mon: Ezekiel 1; Tues: Ezekiel 2; Wed: Ezekiel 3; Thurs: Memorize Matthew 28:18-20; Fri: Ezekiel 1; Sat: Ezekiel 2 – 3

Week of March 2 – 7 Mon: Ezekiel 4; Tues: Ezekiel 5 – 6; Wed: Ezekiel 7; Thurs: Ezekiel 8; Fri: Ezekiel 9 – 10; Sat: Ezekiel 11

Week of March 9 – 14 Mon: Ezekiel 12 Tues: Ezekiel 13; Wed: Ezekiel 14; Thurs: Memorize Ezekiel 12:2; Fri: 2 Peter 2; Sat: Ezekiel 15

Week of March 16 – 21 Mon: Ezekiel 16; Tues: Ezekiel 17; Wed: Ezekiel 18; Thurs: Memorize Ephesians 2:1; Fri: Ezekiel 19; Sat: Ezekiel 16

Week of March 23 – 28 Mon: Ezekiel 20; Tues: Ezekiel 21 – 22; Wed: Numbers 14; Thurs: Memorize James 4:7; Fri: Ezekiel 23; Sat: Ezekiel 24

Week of March 30 – April 4 Mon: Ezekiel 25 – 26; Tues: Ezekiel 27; Wed: Ezekiel 28; Thurs: Memorize Proverbs 16:18; Fri: Ezekiel 29 – 30; Sat: Ezekiel 31 – 32


Week of April 6 – 11 Mon: Matthew 28; Tues: Mark 16; Wed: Luke 24; Thurs: John 20; Fri: Acts 2; Sat: 1 Corinthians 15

Week of April 13 – 18 Mon: Ezekiel 33; Tues: Ezekiel 3; Wed: 2 Corinthians 5; Thurs: Memorize Ezekiel 33:11; Fri: Colossians 1; Sat: Ezekiel 33

Week of April 20 – 25 Mon: Ezekiel 34; Tues: Ezekiel 35; Wed: Ezekiel 36; Thurs: Ezekiel 37; Fri: Ezekiel 38; Sat: Ezekiel 39

Week of April 27 – May 2 Mon: Ezekiel 40; Tues: Ezekiel 41 – 43; Wed: Ezekiel 44 – 45; Thurs: Memorize Ezekiel 48:35b; Fri: Ezekiel 46 – 47; Sat: Ezekiel 48

Week of May 4 – 9 Mon: Daniel 1; Tues: Daniel 2; Wed: Daniel 3; Thurs: Memorize Daniel 3:17-18; Fri: Exodus 20:1-7; Sat: Daniel 1 and 3

Week of May 11 – 16 Mon: Daniel 4; Tues: Daniel 5; Wed: Daniel 6; Thurs: Memorize James 4:6; Fri: Daniel 4; Sat: Daniel 5 – 6

Week of May 18 – 23 Mon: Daniel 7; Tues: Daniel 8; Wed: Revelation 13; Thurs: Memorize Jeremiah 29:11; Fri: Daniel 7; Sat: Daniel 8

Week of May 25 – 30 Mon: Daniel 9; Tues: Daniel 10; Wed: Daniel 11 – 12; Thurs: Memorize Psalm 66:18; Fri: Daniel 9; Sat: Daniel 12

Coming Next Quarter (June – August 2020)

Revelation


Map of the Middle East


Map of Israel


Introduction to Ezekiel Author: Ezekiel

Date: 592-570 B.C.

Author & Date: Ezekiel was a Jewish priest (Eze. 1:3) who was taken captive from Jerusalem to Babylon in 597 B.C. (see the Map of the Middle East on page 6). Ezekiel was called by God to be a prophet five years later (in 592 B.C.), at the age of thirty. Over half the book was written before Ezekiel learned of the fall of Jerusalem (586 B.C.). Prophecies concerning the Millennial Kingdom (chapter 40 – 48) were written in 572 B.C. Ezekiel’s last recorded prophecy was in 570 B.C. (Eze. 29:17).

Ezekiel’s Contemporaries: Ezekiel lived and ministered during the same time as the prophets Jeremiah and Daniel. Ezekiel and Daniel were both in Babylon, while Jeremiah was in Jerusalem. Ezekiel mentioned Daniel by name three times (Eze. 14:14, 20; 28:3). Jeremiah sent a letter containing his prophecies to the captives in Babylon (Jer. 29:1). Daniel’s study of Jeremiah’s prophecies caused him to earnestly seek understanding from God about the meaning of the seventy years of captivity (Dan. 9:1-2).

General Outline of Ezekiel: • Ezekiel’s call and commission: chapters 1 – 3 • Prophecies predicting the destruction of Jerusalem:

chapters 4 – 24 • Prophecies against foreign nations (most of which were

given during the siege of Jerusalem – 588-586 B.C.): chapter 25 – 32

• The fall of Jerusalem: chapter 33 • Prophecies concerning Israel’s future: chapters 34 – 48



March 1, 2020 Ezekiel 1 – 3 Commissioned By God

Go online or get a dictionary and look up the word “commission.” Write the first definition you find here: _____________________ _____________________________________________________

While the word commission can be used in several different ways, the primary meaning is “a formal written warrant granting the power to perform various acts or duties.”1

Military officers receive a commission that grants them authority and gives them tasks and duties to perform. Diplomats are commissioned to represent their country before world leaders.

Commissions (1) come from someone with greater power and authority, (2) bestow power, and (3) demand the performance of certain duties or tasks. In this week’s lesson, you will learn about Ezekiel’s commission.

Eze. 1:1 The story begins in the 30th year of Ezekiel’s life. Where was he? What did he see?

Eze. 1:2-3 The year was 592 B.C., and Ezekiel was in Babylon (“the land of the Chaldeans”) with other Jews who had been taken captive from Judah (see map on p. 6).

Eze. 1:4-14 Ezekiel saw a whirlwind, out of which came four living creatures (identified as cherubim in chapter 10). Describe these creatures:

Eze. 1:15-21 Describe what Ezekiel saw with the creatures:

1 https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commission


Eze. 1:22-25 Ezekiel saw the sky or heavens above the creatures.

Eze. 1:26 What was above the firmament?

Eze. 1:28 “This was the appearance of the likeness of the _________ of the ________. And when I saw it, I ________ upon my face, and I heard a _________ of one that spake.”

Eze. 2:1-2 God spoke to Ezekiel, calling him “Son of man.”

Eze. 2:3a Where was God sending Ezekiel?

Eze. 2:3b-4 How did God describe the children of Israel?

Eze. 2:6 God said, “Be not __________ of them, neither be __________ of their _________.”

Eze. 2:7 What was Ezekiel to do if the people refused to hear?

Eze. 2:8 What warning did God give Ezekiel?

God put His Words in Ezekiel’s heart, and sent him to speak to the stubborn and rebellious Israelites (3:1-16). Ezekiel obeyed.

Eze. 3:17 “Son of man, I have made thee a ____________ unto the house of __________.” Ancient watchmen were like sentries, who stood atop the city walls and kept a lookout for approaching danger. What was he to do?

Eze. 3:18 What would happen if Ezekiel failed to warn a wicked person of God’s judgment?

Eze. 3:19 What would happen if Ezekiel warned the wicked?


Eze. 3:20-21 The same principles held true in the case of a righteous person who committed sin. The watchman (Ezekiel) had a responsibility to deliver God’s warnings, but if he failed he would be accountable.

Ezekiel 3:26-27 indicates God struck the prophet speechless. He could only speak when God wanted him to deliver a message.

Concluding Thoughts: Ezekiel received a commission from God. First, the Lord revealed His awesome power and authority to Ezekiel (chapter 1). Next, He gave Ezekiel power and authority to speak for Him (chapter 2). Finally, the Lord assigned Ezekiel some specific tasks to perform (chapter 3).

Have you ever been commissioned? Perhaps you served in the military, law enforcement, on a jury, or even as the representative (salesperson, receptionist or other employee) of some business. In each case, someone or some organization with greater authority granted you authority and power to carry out specific tasks.

Have you been commissioned by God? Look up Matthew 28:18-20 and read it right now. How much power does Jesus have?

Jesus gave us authority to do specific tasks. What are those tasks?

What promise did Jesus make, which assures we have the power to do the things He told us to do?

If you are saved you have been commissioned by God. Are you faithfully doing your duty? If not, why not?

Accept the authority the Lord has given you and get busy doing the things He has commanded. Confess the sin of failing to obey God and recommit yourself right now to obeying Him in the future.

Project: Memorize Matthew 28:18-20. Tell someone the Good News about Jesus Christ.


March 8, 2020 Ezekiel 4 – 11 Departed Glory

Have you ever seen pictures of ancient ruins? The scattered piles of rubble may have once been the majestic palace of a great king. When you view the rubble it is obvious the king no longer lives and rules there. The only creatures living where the great palace once stood are bugs, lizards, and small rodents.

What happened? The glory and splendor departed. The ancient palace, which once was a seat of great power, has become merely a dwelling place for animals and an intellectual curiosity for archaeologists.

Jerusalem was once the seat of power for David and Solomon, two of the greatest kings of their time. Because of the wickedness of some of Jerusalem’s later kings, however, God marked the city for destruction. In this week’s lesson you will learn that Ezekiel saw the reason for God’s judgment upon Jerusalem, and he saw God’s glory depart from the city.

Eze. 4:1-2 God told Ezekiel to do some unusual things to visually portray His messages. What did He tell Ezekiel to draw on the tile? What was he to do to the drawing?

Eze. 5:1 What did God tell Ezekiel to do?

Eze. 5:2 He was to divide the hair into thirds. What was he to do with the first third? What about the second third? What was he to do with the last third?

Eze. 5:12 According to this verse, what did the groups of hair represent?


God told Ezekiel to prophesy utter destruction upon Israel’s many places of idol worship (chapter 6). He was also to announce that the time when Babylon would destroy Jerusalem and loot the Temple was drawing near (chapter 7).

Eze. 8:1-3 In 591 B.C., the Lord took Ezekiel in a vision to the Temple in Jerusalem.

Eze. 8:4 What was there?

Eze. 8:5-6 The Jews had set up idols in God’s Temple!

Eze. 8:10 What was on the walls of the hidden room?

Eze. 8:11-12 What were the elders of Israel doing?

In verses 13-14, Ezekiel saw Jewish women worshiping a Babylonian fertility god. Next, God took Ezekiel into the inner court of the Temple (where only priests were allowed to go). This was where the priests were supposed to offer sacrifices to God.

Eze. 8:16 What were the priests doing?

Eze. 8:17 What had the house of Judah done?

Eze. 8:18 “Therefore will I also deal in ________: mine eye shall not _________, neither will I have ________: and though they _______ in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I _______ ________ them.”

In chapter 9, God showed Ezekiel a vision of the widespread death that would occur in Jerusalem.

Eze. 10:4 Ezekiel saw the cherubim (the same living creatures he saw in chapter 1) in the Temple. Where did the glory of the Lord go?

Eze. 10:18-19 From where did the glory of God depart?


Where did it go?

Chapter 11 contains prophecies against Jerusalem’s wicked religious leaders, and a promise of Israel’s future restoration.

Eze. 11:22 The cherubim raised their wings; the wheels were beside them. Where was the glory of God?

Eze. 11:23 From where did the glory of God go up? Where did it go?

The vision ended; Ezekiel told everything to the Jews in captivity.

Concluding Thoughts: Because of the Israelites’ wickedness and idolatry, God planned to destroy Jerusalem, kill most of its people, and send many others into foreign lands as captives. Ezekiel saw a vision of the glory of God departing the Temple and the city of Jerusalem. The glory of God left the Holy Place, the inner court, and finally even the threshold of the Temple. Later it left the city and moved above the Mount of Olives.

Is there a danger of God’s glory departing from our church? Have we made room for ungodly behavior and misplaced allegiance? What can we do to keep the glory of God from leaving our church?

Has the glory of God departed from your life? Have you compromised and let ungodly influences in? What can you do to prevent the glory of God from leaving?

The Jews worshiped idols, false gods, and even the sun, instead of worshiping Jehovah God. They thought they could get away with it, but God knew all about their sin.

Confess your sin and recommit yourself to God.

Project: Remember this truth: God knows everything you do or think.


March 15, 2020 Ezekiel 12 – 15 Beware of Lying Prophets

Jim found something unusual in the mail. In addition to the usual bills and sale flyers, there was a letter promising answers to all his prayers. The letter asked Jim to send a generous gift of $50.00 to help Brother So-and-So spread this miracle to others. There was even a free “prayer rug” included. If Jim placed the “prayer rug” on the floor, knelt on it and prayed, he would get whatever he asked for. The letter contained amazing testimonies from others who had already received miraculous answers to prayer.

The letter Jim received was from a false prophet. The world is full of lying prophets, and many people are fooled by their tactics.

How does God feel about false prophets? In this lesson, God delivered a message through Ezekiel concerning the lying prophets in Jerusalem.

Historical Background: Since 627 B.C., God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah, predicting the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. In 597 B.C., Ezekiel and many other Jews were taken captive to Babylon. God began speaking through Ezekiel in 592 B.C., just six years before the fall of Jerusalem.

Eze. 12:2 What did God say about the Israelites?

God told Ezekiel to carry out two object lessons (Eze. 12:3-20), predicting the fall of Jerusalem and captivity of many more Jews.

Eze. 12:27 What were some Israelites saying?

Eze. 12:28 What did God say about this?

Eze. 13:2 Where did the prophets of Israel get their messages?


Eze. 13:3 “_______ unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own __________, and have seen ___________!”

Eze. 13:6 Who did the prophets claim to speak for? What did their words give the people?

Eze. 13:8 How did God feel about the false prophets?

Eze. 13:9 What would God prevent the lying prophets from doing?

Next, God spoke to Ezekiel about the elders (leaders) of Israel.

Eze. 14:3 Where had the elders set up their idols? What had their iniquity become?

There is an important lesson here. The Israelites were guilty of idolatry. They worshiped images of false gods, and even set up pagan altars in God’s Temple; but chapter 14 reminds us that idolatry starts in the heart. You may not worship a statue, but you may still be an idolater, worshiping idols in your heart (such as lust, greed, selfishness, or pride). Idolatry in the heart is not outwardly visible, but it is still deadly. It sets up a stumbling block, blinds the eyes, and keeps you from worshiping Jesus.

Eze. 14:5 What did idolatry do to their relationship with God?

Eze. 14:6 What did God tell them to do?

Eze. 14:13-20 God was planning to destroy Judah. Would Noah, Daniel, and Job have been able to persuade God to withhold His judgment?

In Ezekiel 15:1-5, God said the “vine tree” was useless, except as fuel for a fire. The “vine tree” is the woody part of the plant, from which the fruit-bearing branches grow. The wood is so twisted and


gnarled that you cannot make furniture or anything useful from it. All it is good for is to burn in a fire.

Eze. 15:6 What did God compare the vine tree to?

Eze. 15:7 What was going to happen to the people?

Eze. 15:8 Why was God going to make the land desolate?

Concluding Thoughts: What can we learn from this lesson that will help us live for the Lord?

First, we should remember that God’s patience with sin has a limit. One reason people think they can get away with sin is that God doesn’t strike them down instantly, the moment they sin. God is patient, but his patience has a limit. You don’t know how close that limit is, so you should confess your sin and repent of it right now.

Secondly, there were lying prophets in Ezekiel’s day, and there are still lying prophets today (1 John 4:1). You must beware of false prophets. They preach lies and will lead you away from God. If you don’t know God’s Word, you might fall prey to lying prophets. Read the Bible every day.

Third, idolatry is a heart matter. Have you set up any idols in your heart? Ask God to reveal any idols in your heart, and then tear them down. Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit.

And fourth, remember that when God pronounces judgment, nobody can stop it. Don’t live in a way that puts you under the judgment of God.

Project: Memorize Ezekiel 12:2. Be aware of false prophets you might hear about this week. If you have questions about a prophet or preacher, ask your Sunday School Teacher. Do the Daily Bible Readings (pages 4-5) each day this week.


March 22, 2020 Ezekiel 16 – 19 Ungrateful

Megan’s parents were perplexed. They adopted her as an infant, after she was found by a sanitation worker in a trash dumpster. She was near death, but they paid the medical costs to nurse her back to health. They provided a wonderful, loving home for Megan, and gave her the best they could afford. As their only child, she was the center of their attention and affections.

As a teenager, Megan turned away from her parents. She had an insatiable desire to “hang out” with the wrong crowd. Megan became a prostitute to support her drug habit, and finally ended up in jail. Her parents couldn’t understand why Megan rejected their love and provision, and seemed determined to live on the street.

Eze. 16:1-2 God spoke again to Ezekiel. What did He want Jerusalem to know?

The rest of the chapter is an allegory, in which Jerusalem is portrayed as a baby that grows into a woman. Before King David conquered Jerusalem and made it Israel’s capital, it belonged to the Amorites and Hittites.

Eze. 16:4 What was not done for “baby” Jerusalem when it was “born?”

Eze. 16:5 “________ eye __________ thee, to do any of these unto thee, to have ______________ upon thee; but thou wast ________ out in the open _________, to the ____________ of thy person, in the day that thou wast born.” She was unwanted and uncared for.

Eze. 16:6 What did God see? What did God say?


Eze. 16:7 What did God do for Jerusalem?

Eze. 16:8 “I spread my skirt over thee” – a visible sign of entering a marriage covenant (see Ruth 3:9-10). What else did God do?

Eze. 16:9-13 Describe some of the things God did for her:

Eze. 16:14 Jerusalem became famous. What was the source of her beauty?

Eze. 16:15 What did Jerusalem trust in? What did this pride cause it to do?

Eze. 16:16-19 What did they do with the fine things the Lord gave them?

Eze. 16:20-21 What did they do with their children?

Eze. 16:22 What did they forget about?

The Israelites forgot they were as good as dead when God rescued them. They forgot God gave them life and caused them to grow and prosper. They forgot God gave them everything they had.

When they forgot God and became ungrateful, they went into wicked, vile, perverse idolatry. They embraced many different foreign gods, abandoned all moral restraints, and even sacrificed their children in pagan rituals to false gods. All of this happened because they forgot where they had come from!

Eze. 16:23-34 Israel committed spiritual adultery with everyone she could. She could not be satisfied (v. 28), and even paid her foreign “lovers” (v. 33-34).

Eze. 16:35 “Wherefore, O __________, hear the word of the ________.”


Eze. 16:38 What did God promise?

Eze. 16:40 What was going to happen?

Eze. 16:41 What else?

Concluding Thoughts: God had done everything for Israel, but they ungratefully forgot the Lord and became idol worshipers.

If you are saved, you were once like Israel – helpless, lifeless, abandoned, and uncared for. When you were “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1), God graciously looked at you and said “Live!” God gave you life, both physically and spiritually.

Everything we have came from God. We must be grateful to Him and seek to live faithfully for Him.

Remember this important principle – A keen awareness of where we were when God saved us, as well as speculation about where we might be if He had not interrupted our lives, will help us stay faithful to the Lord.

How dangerous is ungratefulness? Read Romans 1:22-32. Even though those verses were written almost 2,000 years ago, they accurately describe the wickedness of our modern world. Those verses contain a terrible litany of sins, but where did all those sins actually begin? Romans 1:21 says, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were THANKFUL; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” Ungratefulness is the beginning point of sin.

Confess your sin of ungratefulness. Contemplate all God has done for you. Thank Him right now.

Project: Memorize Ephesians 2:1. Make a list of things God has done for you, and then thank Him for those things.


March 29, 2020 Ezekiel 20 – 24 Single-Minded Determination

When Joey was just a teenager, he decided he wanted to become a doctor. This was his goal and his constant motivation. He worked hard through high school, college, and medical school. When obstacles and difficulties seemed to block Joey’s path, he worked even harder and overcame them. Because of his single-minded determination, Joey fulfilled his dream and became a doctor.

We love stories like that, don’t we? Our culture applauds such determination and drive to succeed.

The ancient Israelites also exhibited single-mindedness. In this week’s lesson, God describes their determination.

Eze. 20:1 This took place in the seventh year of Ezekiel’s captivity (about 590 B.C.). Why did the elders of Israel come to him?

Eze. 20:2-3 What did God tell Ezekiel to tell them?

Eze. 20:4 “Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? Cause them to ________ the ________________ of their ___________.”

Eze. 20:5 When did God make Himself known to Israel? The phrase “lifted up mine hand” refers to God swearing an oath or promise to the children of Israel (like when the President takes the oath of office).

Eze. 20:6 God promised to bring them out of the land of _________, and take them where?

Eze. 20:7 What did God tell them?


Eze. 20:8 What did the Israelites do? What did God say?

Eze. 20:9 Why didn’t God destroy them in Egypt?

Eze. 20:10-12

God brought them out of Egypt (v. 10). What instructions did He give them?

Eze. 20:13 What did the Israelites do? What did God say?

Eze. 20:14 Why didn’t God destroy them in the wilderness?

The Israelites refused to enter the Promised Land, so God let them wander in the wilderness until the adults all died (Num. 14).

Eze. 20:18-20 What instructions did God give the younger generation?

Eze. 20:21 What did the younger Israelites do? What did God say?

Eze. 20:22 Why didn’t God destroy them?

Eze. 20:28 When God brought the Israelites into the Promised Land, what did they do?

Eze. 20:30 The Israelites in Ezekiel’s time were as sinful as their ancestors.

Eze. 20:31 What sins were the Israelites committing? “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will _______ be ____________ of by you.”


Chapter 23 is a lengthy parable about two adulterous sisters, who represented Samaria (Israel) and Jerusalem (Judah; the Lord also compared Israel and Judah to sisters in Jer. 3:6-11). The sisters learned harlotry in Egypt. Rather than learn from Samaria’s mistakes, Jerusalem became even more corrupt.

Concluding Thoughts: Single-minded determination can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your goal.

The Israelites had a single-minded determination to sin. • God made wonderful promises to them, but they didn’t let

those promises deter them from sinning. • God gave them clear instructions, but they still sinned. • God miraculously delivered them from Egypt, but still they

were determined to sin. • God protected them from the Egyptian army and others, but

they were still single-minded in their desire to sin. • God provided their daily food, but they still chose to sin. • God warned them about the dangers of sin and rebellion,

but they didn’t let that stand in their way. • God gave them clear and dramatic examples of the bad

results of sin, but even that couldn’t shift their focus.

The Israelites’ single-minded determination to sin was a very bad thing, which brought about very bad results.

If you look at the list above and think about your life, you will see that God has done all those same things for you. God has given you promises, instructions, deliverance, protection, provision, warning, and examples. You have the choice to either ignore all those things and sin (like the Israelites did), or you can be single-minded in your determination to resist sin and obey God. The choice is yours.

Project: Tell God every morning this week: “I am determined to resist sin and obey you.” Memorize James 4:7.


April 5, 2020 Ezekiel 25 – 32 Pride

The word “pride” has several meanings. It can be used to describe the feeling you have for your country or family (“I’m proud to be an American,” or “I’m proud of my son’s good grades”). Pride can also describe the satisfaction you feel when you have done a good job (“I’m proud of the way the room looks when I repainted it”).

Pride can also be defined as conceit or an overly inflated opinion of oneself, that often results in arrogance and disdain for others.

We see examples of pride all the time. Most athletes feel they are the best at what they do, and many freely voice that opinion. One Olympic athlete publicly claimed to be the “greatest of all time,” but he finished the competition in second place.

Even though they were primarily directed toward Israel, most prophecy books in the Bible also contain words of judgment against foreign nations. Ezekiel 25 – 32 contains such prophecies; as you study them you’ll learn how God feels about pride.

Eze. 25:6 Verses 1-7 are words of judgment against Ammon, Judah’s neighbor to the east (see the Map of Israel on page 7). How did they react to Israel’s troubles?

Eze. 25:7 What did God promise to do to Ammon?

Eze. 25:8 Moab was located southeast of Judah. What did they say about Judah?

Eze. 25:12 Edom was south of Judah. What was their offense?

Eze. 25:15 The Philistines lived on the Mediterranean coast, just west of Judah. They had been Israel’s enemies since the time of King David. What did they do?


The pride and arrogance of Ammon, Moab, Edom, and the Philistines led them to seek vengeance against Israel and rejoice when the Israelites were oppressed or attacked.

Eze. 27:1-2 Chapters 26 – 28 address Tyre, a great seaport city 100 miles north of Jerusalem.

Eze. 27:3 What was Tyre’s attitude about itself?

Eze. 27:4 Tyre was a city of beauty and splendor, and the people were very proud and boastful.

The rest of chapter 27 describes Tyre’s greatness and predicts its destruction. Chapter 28 focuses on its ruler.

Eze. 28:2 “Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is __________ up, and thou hast said, I ______ a _______, I sit in the ________ of _______”

Eze. 28:3 How wise did the king think he was?

Eze. 28:4-6 The king’s wealth and wisdom went to his head, so he actually thought he was God!

Eze. 28:7-10 What did God promise would happen to the king?

Although verses 12-19 are addressed to the king of Tyre, they actually describe the real power behind Tyre’s proud king – Satan.

Eze. 28:13 How was Satan described?

Eze. 28:14 What kind of access did Satan have to God?

Eze. 28:15 Satan was perfect, but what was in him?

Satan’s beauty and position led him to believe he could overthrow God (Isa. 14:12-15).


Eze. 28:16 What did God say He would do to Satan?

Eze. 28:17 What led to Satan’s pride? How did God respond to Satan’s pride?

Chapters 29 – 32 contain seven prophecies against Egypt.

Eze. 29:2 Who is this prophecy directed toward?

Eze. 29:3 What was God’s attitude toward Pharaoh? Note Pharaoh’s pride: “My river (the Nile) is mine own, and I have ________ it for myself.”

Concluding Thoughts: Based on what you have studied today, how do you think God feels about pride?

Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Every one of the nations God rebuked through Ezekiel’s prophecy fell to foreign invaders. The Lord God keeps His promises.

James 4:6 says, “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” Do you want God to resist you or give you grace?

Are you proud, boastful, and arrogant? Do you claim credit for the things God has given you? Do you look down on others? Are you happy when bad things happen to others? Are you vengeful?

Confess your sin of pride. Humble yourself before God. Put others first. Let God take care of those who hurt you.

Project: Memorize Proverbs 16:18. Confess your pride daily and thank God for His provision.


April 12, 2020 Mark 16; Acts 2 Respond to the Resurrection

Every year on Easter we have a lesson about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If you’ve attended Sunday School for very long there’s no telling how many times you have studied and been taught an Easter lesson. The resurrection of Jesus is an important topic in many Sunday School lessons and sermons. Sometimes a Bible story or passage we hear often can become sort of “old hat” – so familiar that we barely pay attention to it.

We must not approach the Bible’s accounts of Christ’s resurrection that way. The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus are, in fact, the most important events in history. The sinless Son of God willingly went to the cross and died to pay the price for our sin. Then He came forth alive from the tomb, conquering death and proving that He is the eternal, all-powerful Savior.

How should we respond to the fact of Christ’s resurrection? What should we do in light of such an important event? Does the resurrection of Jesus Christ really make any difference in our lives today? We’ll discover answers to those questions as we study some verses from Mark 16 and Acts 2.

Mark 16:1-2 Why did the women go back to the tomb?

Mark 16:3 What did they wonder?

Mark 16:4 What did they see?

Mark 16:5 Who did they find in the tomb?

Mark 16:6 “Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was _____________: he is _________; he is not ________: behold the place where they ________ him.”


Mark 16:7 What did the angel tell them?

The women went out quickly and spread the Good News. Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and two men. These eyewitnesses reported back to the disciples, but they didn’t believe their stories.

Mark 16:14 What happened next?

Mark 16:15 What did Jesus tell them to do?

Fast-forward several weeks. Jesus appeared to His disciples and others numerous times over the next forty days, after which He ascended back to heaven. The day of Pentecost was an important Jewish religious celebration. Thousands of Jews from all over the world gathered in Jerusalem. Peter spoke to the multitudes.

Acts 2:22 What had the people seen Jesus do?

Acts 2:23 What did the Jews do to Jesus?

Acts 2:24 What did God do? “Because it was _______ ____________ that He should be __________ of it.”

Acts 2:25-28 Peter quoted what King David wrote in Psalm 16:8-11. What did David prophesy about Christ?

Acts 2:29 Where was David when Peter spoke these words?

Acts 2:31 What did David speak of?

Acts 2:32 “This Jesus hath God __________ ______, whereof we all are ______________.”

Acts 2:34 David’s body was in the tomb, but where is Jesus?

Acts 2:36 What does the resurrection prove about Jesus?


Acts 2:37 How did the people react to this? What did they ask?

Acts 2:38 What did Peter tell them?

Acts 2:39 Who is the promise of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ for?

Acts 2:40 Peter continued to preach and teach the people. How did he urge them to respond?

Acts 2:41 How did the people respond?

Concluding Thoughts: The resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything. It is the pivotal event of human history. Those who receive and believe the Good News of Christ’s resurrection are forever changed.

Peter and the other disciples were changed from skeptics and doubters into bold witnesses. They responded to the resurrection by devoting the rest of their lives to telling others the Good News.

Those who heard Peter on the day of Pentecost responded with belief. They received Christ, were baptized, and started living for the Lord (Acts 2:42-47). The resurrection of Jesus Christ has been changing lives for 2,000 years.

What about you? Have you been changed by the miraculous power of Christ’s resurrection? Has Jesus saved your soul and changed the direction of your life? If so, live out your faith.

If you’ve never placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ for salvation, wouldn’t you like to? Read the verses printed on the back of this book, turn from your sin, and receive Christ now. ______________________________________________________ Project: Ask the Lord to make you a bolder witness this week.


April 19, 2020 Ezekiel 33 Responsibility

America has experienced some terrible hurricanes and tornados in recent decades. Billions of dollars worth of property has been destroyed and numerous lives have been lost. Many more would have died, however, if we did not have the benefit of satellite technology and mass communications. When a killer storm approaches, the authorities warn us to evacuate and seek shelter.

Some people choose to ignore those warnings and “ride out” killer hurricanes in their homes. If such a person is killed, it is because they chose to ignore the warnings – they are responsible for their death. If no warnings were issued, however, the authorities could be held accountable for loss of life.

In Ezekiel 33 God spoke of the responsibility of watchmen, as well as our personal responsibility for our sin.

Eze. 33:2 A watchman was like a sentry, posted atop the city walls or near the kingdom’s borders.

Eze. 33:3 What was the watchman to do?

Eze. 33:4-5 Who bore the responsibility for the death of someone who ignored the watchman’s warning?

Eze. 33:6 Who was responsible if the watchman didn’t blow the trumpet?

Eze. 33:7 “So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a ____________ unto the house of __________; therefore thou shalt hear the ________ at my mouth, and ________ them from me.”

Eze. 33:8 What if Ezekiel did not warn the people?


Eze. 33:9 What if he warned them?

Ezekiel was God’s watchman to the Israelites; he was responsible to deliver God’s warnings to them.

Eze. 33:11 What does God get no pleasure from? What gives Him pleasure? What did He tell Israel to do? What did He ask them?

Verse 12 presents two scenarios to illustrate an important truth.

Eze. 33:12 When will your past righteousness not deliver you? When will past sin not cause you to fall?

This verse teaches we cannot rest upon our past “track record” of righteous living to spare us from the consequences of our present sin. Similarly, the person with a history of sin may find forgiveness and deliverance by repenting and trusting Jesus.

Eze. 33:21 What did Ezekiel learn about?

Eze. 33:22 Ezekiel’s speech was restored. God struck him speechless in 3:26-27, and promised in 24:27 to restore his speech when he heard of Jerusalem’s fall.

Verses 23-30: Lots of people claim they belong to God, but their lifestyle doesn’t match their words. The Lord told Ezekiel that mere lip service to God is insufficient.

Eze. 33:31 The people heard God’s, but did they obey it? “With their mouth they show much ________, but their heart goeth after their ________________.”


Concluding Thoughts: RESPONSIBILITY.

Ezekiel was responsible for delivering God’s messages and warning the people of the consequences of their sin. God taught that we are responsible for our own sin and we can’t rest on our past righteousness to protect us from the results of our present sin. Finally, God reminded us there is a big difference between claiming to be righteous and really living a righteous life.

How do these scriptures, written 2,600 years ago, relate to us?

Like Ezekiel, we are responsible to warn people of the deadly consequences of sin. God wants people to repent (Acts 17:30). Are you carrying the Good News of forgiveness and new life in Jesus Christ to others?

We are responsible to obey the Lord on a daily basis. Past victories don’t ensure future success. Are you living righteously right now, or merely clinging to the memory of the “good old days?” Live for the Lord today.

The ancient Israelites claimed with their mouths to love God, but their hearts were wicked. We are responsible to see that our words and our actions are consistent. Are you giving lip service to God but actually living to please yourself?

Confess your sins and accept your responsibilities before God. Do it now.

Project: Memorize Ezekiel 33:11. Take the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ to someone this week. Do the Daily Bible Readings each day. Keep an eye on you behavior.


April 26, 2020 Ezekiel 34 – 39 Sheep and Bones

They say sheep are some of the dumbest animals on earth. As long as there is grass to eat, sheep will keep their nose to the ground without any regard for hazards or predators. Without a shepherd to guide and guard them, sheep are completely helpless.

The first twelve years of Ezekiel’s ministry were devoted to predictions of the fall of Jerusalem, as well as prophecies of judgment upon Israel’s neighbors. With the fall of Jerusalem (Eze. 33:21), the focus of most of Ezekiel’s prophecies shifted to God’s plans for restoring and blessing Israel in the future. This lesson contains two such prophecies.

Eze. 34:2 Who did God tell Ezekiel to prophesy against? The shepherds were Israel’s leaders – prophets, priests, and kings. What were they doing wrong?

Eze. 34:3 What were they taking for themselves? What were they not doing?

Eze. 34:4 Were they doing any of the things expected of shepherds?

Because of the failure of their shepherds (religious leaders and teachers), the flock (Israel) was scattered and fell prey to attackers.

Eze. 34:10 How did God feel about Israel’s wicked shepherds?

What did He promise to do?

Eze. 34:11 Who will seek the sheep?


Eze. 34:13 Where did God promise to bring them?

Eze. 34:14-15 What will He give them?

Eze. 34:16 What else did the Lord promise to do?

God not only promised to re-gather His scattered sheep, return them to their land, and meet their needs; He made another promise.

Eze. 34:23 Who will He set over them? Who will that shepherd be?

The Great Shepherd is Jesus Christ, the rightful heir to King David’s throne. In John 10:11-30, Jesus said He is the Good Shepherd who gives His life for His sheep.

Eze. 34:24 “And I the LORD will be their _______.”

Eze. 34:26 What kind of showers did God promise?

In chapter 37, the Lord took Ezekiel in a vision to a valley.

Eze. 37:1 What was the valley full of?

Eze. 37:2 What two things did Ezekiel say about the bones?

Eze. 37:3 What did God ask Ezekiel?

Eze. 37:4 What strange instruction did God give Ezekiel?

Eze. 37:5-6 What was Ezekiel to say to the bones?

Eze. 37:7 What did Ezekiel do? What did he hear?

Eze. 37:8 What happened next?


Eze. 37:9 What did God tell him to do?

Eze. 37:10 What happened when Ezekiel obeyed God?

Can you imagine such a bizarre experience? Thankfully, God explained the vision.

Eze. 37:11 What did God say the bones represented?

At the time God gave Ezekiel this vision, the Israelites were scattered all over the earth, like dry, lifeless, disconnected bones.

Eze. 37:12 What did God promise?

Eze. 37:13 What will Israel know when this takes place?

Eze. 37:14 What did God promise to put in them?

Concluding Thoughts: Israel was like sheep with no shepherd – lost, helpless, and easy prey for predators. If you have not trusted Jesus Christ for salvation, those same descriptions apply to you.

Israel was like dead, dry, scattered bones – completely lifeless, helpless, and hopeless. If you have never asked Jesus to forgive you and save you from your sins, you are like those dry bones.

Israel’s only hope was the Lord. He promised to be their shepherd, re-gather them, feed them, and protect them. He promised to re-assemble their dead bones, recreate their dead bodies, and give them new life.

Your only hope is the Lord, too. Jesus Christ can give you life and then be your shepherd. Read the verses printed on the back of this book, confess your sins, and turn your life over to Jesus. Do it now. Thank Jesus for saving you. Project: Tell someone about your new life in Christ right away.


May 3, 2020 Ezekiel 40 – 48 The Millennial Kingdom

Do you enjoy dreaming about the future?

Don and Karen are planning to build a new house. They spend many hours each week looking over house plans, trying to get every detail of their dream house “just right.”

Hank and Helen are nearing retirement. They often discuss their dreams and plans for the future. They’re looking forward to devoting more time to travel, hobbies, and their grandchildren.

God gave Ezekiel a very detailed vision of the way things will be for the Jews in their long-awaited Millennial Kingdom.

Eze. 40:1 God spoke to Ezekiel in the 25th year of his captivity, which was also the 14th year after Jerusalem fell. The year was 572 B.C.

Eze. 40:2 Where did God take Ezekiel in this vision?

Eze. 40:3-4 Ezekiel saw a man (actually an angel) with a measuring rod and line in his hand. He told the prophet to report what he saw to the Israelites.

The angel measured every aspect of the future Millennial Temple. Like the actual Temple built by Solomon, this new Temple will have a Holy Place, Holy of Holies, surrounding chambers, and both inner and outer courtyards. The Millennial Temple complex will be a perfect square and much larger than the ancient Temple.

Eze. 43:1 Where did the angel take Ezekiel?

Eze. 43:2 What did he see coming from the east?

Earlier, the prophet saw a vision of the glory of God leaving the Temple (Eze. 10:18-19) and then leaving Jerusalem (Eze. 11:23).


God’s glory departed before the destruction of the city. The Lord’s glory will return to the future restored city and Temple.

Eze. 43:3 To what did Ezekiel compare this vision? The prophet first saw the glory of God by the River Chebar (chapter 1).

Eze. 43:4 Where did God’s glory go? The “house” is the main Temple building.

Eze. 43:5 The Spirit brought Ezekiel to the inner court of the Temple. What filled the house?

Eze. 43:6 The Lord spoke to Ezekiel from the house.

Eze. 43:7 God promised to rule and dwell with His people forever. What will they no longer do?

Eze. 43:8 Previously, the Jews set up altars to false gods in God’s Temple. This brought God’s judgment.

Eze. 43:9 What were they to put away?

Eze. 43:10-11 What feeling would the vision of the glory of the future Temple produce in the Israelites?

Eze. 43:12 The Temple and the mountain upon which it sits will be “most holy.”

Chapters 44 – 48 tell about the Temple offerings, the prince who will rule the city, a river flowing from the Temple, and the division of the land among the twelve tribes.

Eze. 48:31-34 The city will be square, with three gates on each side. The twelve gates will be named for the twelve tribes of Israel.


Eze. 48:35 What will be the name of the city?

The LORD will dwell with His people (Rev. 21:3, 22). Remember that Ezekiel and the Jews to whom he spoke were still in captivity in Babylon. God gave them a wonderful promise – He will live with them in the future Kingdom.

The Christian enjoys the reality of that promise right now, because the Holy Spirit of God lives within us twenty-four hours a day. If you are saved you can look in the mirror and reverentially proclaim, “The LORD is there.” Hallelujah!

Concluding Thoughts: When we enjoy an especially blessed worship service at church, we sometimes say, “The Lord sure was here today!”

When you are right with God, you sense His presence throughout the day. When you’ve got unconfessed sin, rebellion, or an ungodly attitude, you’re not as aware of God’s presence.

While God’s Spirit never truly leaves the believer, if we’re not right with God it feels like the Lord isn’t there. Just like it hurts when your fellowship with a loved one is broken, it hurts when you’re not right with God.

Is there anything between your heart and God?

Do you have any unconfessed sin, rebellion, disobedience, or ungodly attitudes? Are you willing to get those things right?

Confess your sins right now. Renew your commitment to God, and ask Him to restore the freshness and joy of your fellowship with Him. Project: Memorize Ezekiel 48:35b – “And the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there.” Every day this week, ask yourself the following question:

Is everything right between my Savior and me?


Introduction to Daniel Author: Daniel

Date: 604-536 B.C.

Author & Date: Daniel was a young member of Jerusalem’s royal family or nobility (Dan. 1:3), who was taken captive to Babylon in 604 B.C. (Dan. 1:1; see also the Map of the Middle East on page 6). This was the first major deportation of Jews to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar (the second was in 597 B.C. when Ezekiel was taken, and the third was in 586 B.C. when Jerusalem was destroyed). Daniel was among the wise and intelligent youths who were taken to Babylon to serve as advisors in Nebuchadnezzar’s court. If Daniel was about 15 years old when he went to Babylon, then he lived and ministered into his eighties. Daniel ministered during the same time period as the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel (see Ezekiel’s Contemporaries on page 8).

Daniel’s Ministry: Daniel served as God’s messenger to foreign kings. The Lord enabled him to interpret dreams and visions, which God used to get the attention of the pagan kings. Daniel and his friends (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) were called upon to remain faithful to God while living in a foreign land under the authority of heathen rulers.

General Outline of Daniel: • Daniel’s ministry under King Nebuchadnezzar: chapters 1

– 4 • Daniel’s ministry under kings Belshazzar and Darius the

Mede: chapters 5 – 6 • Daniel’s visions concerning the future: chapters 7 – 12


May 10, 2020 Daniel 1 – 3 Standing Firm

Rob was promoted to a higher position, in which he was required to host dinner meetings with associates and important clients. As a Christian, Rob refused to drink alcoholic beverages. Rob’s boss strongly urged him to order a drink, because his refusals made the clients feel uncomfortable. “For the good of the company, and your future,” he said, “you’d better order a drink.” Rob had a choice: compromise his convictions, or risk his boss’ displeasure. What should he do? What if his boss threatened to fire him?

We are often faced with temptations to compromise. The challenge for the Christian is to stand firm in the face of the world’s pressure. The prophet Daniel and his friends stood firm against more pressure than you’ve probably ever faced.

Dan. 1:1-2 About 604 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and stole some of the gold and silver vessels from the Temple.

Dan. 1:3-4 What did Nebuchadnezzar order Ashpenaz to do?

It was common in those days for invaders to capture exceptional youths from the royal family, take them back to their land, and train them to serve as wise men and advisors to the king.

Dan. 1:5 How long would these captured youths be trained?

Dan. 1:6-7 Daniel and three other young Israelites were taken captive. They were given new Babylonian names.

Dan. 1:8 What did Daniel request?

The king’s food may have violated Jewish dietary rules, or it may have been food that had been offered to pagan idols.


Dan. 1:10 What did the prince of the eunuchs fear?

Dan. 1:12 What did Daniel suggest?

Dan. 1:15 How did the test turn out?

Dan. 1:17 What did God give Daniel and his three friends?

Chapter 2 tells us King Nebuchadnezzar had a troubling dream. He couldn’t remember the dream, so he asked his wise men, magicians, and advisors to tell him what the dream was and what it meant. No one could do this but Daniel, so the king promoted him to a high position.

Dan. 3:1 What did Nebuchadnezzar build? Sixty cubits is 90 feet high!

Dan. 3:2-3 Who did Nebuchadnezzar summon?

Dan. 3:5 What were they to do when they heard music?

Dan. 3:6 What was the penalty for disobedience?

Dan. 3:12 What accusation did the Chaldeans bring against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?

Nebuchadnezzar summoned the three Jewish young men and gave them another opportunity to worship his statue.

Dan. 3:15 What was the last thing the king asked them?

Dan. 3:17 What did they say God was able to do?

Dan. 3:18 “But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not _________ thy ________, nor __________ the golden image which thou hast set up.”

They refused to compromise, regardless of the consequences!


Dan. 3:19 What did Nebuchadnezzar do?

Dan. 3:20-21 What did the mighty men do to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?

Dan. 3:22 What happened to the men who threw them in?

Dan. 3:24 What did Nebuchadnezzar ask?

Dan. 3:25 What did Nebuchadnezzar see?

Dan. 3:26 The king called the three Jews, and they came out.

Dan. 3:27 Describe the condition of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego:

Dan. 3:28-29 Nebuchadnezzar praised God, and then issued a decree. What was that decree?

Concluding Thoughts: What happened when Daniel stood firm and refused to compromise?

What happened when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood firm and refused to compromise?

Is someone trying to force you to compromise your convictions? Are you afraid of the consequences if you refuse to compromise?

The only way you can stand firm in the face of pressure to compromise is to be like Daniel, who “purposed in his heart” not to defile himself. Daniel and his friends drew strength from God and from one another. Talk to your friends about the pressures you are facing, and ask God for strength to stand firm. Project: Memorize Daniel 3:17-18. When your convictions are challenged, respectfully refuse to compromise – even if it means paying a price.


May 17, 2020 Daniel 4 – 6 The Danger of Pride

Pride is a dangerous thing. It can make you think the world revolves around you, it can make you feel like a “self-made man,” and it can make you think everyone needs you to survive. Pride can inflate your ego to the point you forget about God.

In this week’s lesson you will learn about three great kings, all of whom had problems with pride. Their pride manifested itself in different ways, but in each case pride caused someone to suffer.

King Nebuchadnezzar had a troubling dream about a great tree, which was cut down. Daniel interpreted the dream as a warning from God.

Dan. 4:30 In what way did Nebuchadnezzar exhibit pride?

Dan. 4:31 What happened next? What did the voice say?

Dan. 4:32 What else was going to happen to Nebuchadnezzar?

Dan. 4:33 Describe Nebuchadnezzar’s … Food ________________________________ Body ________________________________ Hair _________________________________ Nails ________________________________

Dan. 4:34 What did he do when his understanding returned?

Dan. 4:35 “And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as ___________: and He _________ according to His ________ in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can ________ His hand, or say unto Him, What doest thou?”


Dan. 4:37 Nebuchadnezzar praised God. What did he say God can do to those who walk in pride?

Dan. 5:1 Belshazzar was Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson, who reigned from 553-539 B.C. What was he doing?

Dan. 5:2 Where did the gold and silver vessels come from?

Dan. 5:4 What did the king and his guests do?

Dan. 5:5 What happened next?

Dan. 5:6 How did Belshazzar react? He called Daniel to interpret the handwriting.

Dan. 5:18-21 What did Daniel remind the king about?

Dan. 5:22-23 What was Belshazzar’s problem?

Dan. 5:26-28 Daniel explained that Belshazzar’s kingdom would fall to the Medes and Persians.

Dan. 5:30 What happened to proud Belshazzar?

That night the Medes and Persians conquered Babylon and killed Belshazzar. Darius, the Mede, became king.

Dan. 6:7-9 Darius’ advisors appealed to his pride and got him to sign a decree that would get Daniel in trouble. What was that decree?

Dan. 6:10 Daniel knew about the decree. What did he do?

Dan. 6:12-14 Daniel was charged with violating the decree. How did Darius feel about this?


Dan. 6:16 Daniel was cast into the lion’s den. What did the king say to him?

Dan. 6:20-22 What happened in the lion’s den?

Dan. 6:23-24 Daniel was brought out of the lion’s den. What happened to those who accused him?

Darius sent a decree throughout his kingdom instructing everyone to respect Daniel’s God.

Concluding Thoughts: Nebuchadnezzar was puffed up with pride, claiming to have built Babylon to show off his greatness. God taught him a lesson about pride, by taking away his reasoning and making him live like an animal in the field. Through that experience he learned that God is sovereign and chooses whom he wants to rule as king.

Belshazzar was proud and arrogant, and brashly used the gold and silver vessels stolen from God’s Temple for drinking glasses at his drunken party. He proudly praised false gods who don’t exist, until God took his life and gave his kingdom to foreigners.

Darius was so proud that he was fooled into signing a law that put his friend and deputy in grave danger. Darius thought people should pray to him, but he couldn’t deliver Daniel. God protected Daniel, causing the king to realize Daniel’s God was the true God.

Pride was dangerous in the lives of those three ancient kings, and pride is still dangerous today. As Nebuchadnezzar learned, God is able to abase those who walk in pride (Eze. 4:37). Ask God to reveal areas of pride so you can confess them. Acknowledge God’s sovereignty, and confess your sins of pride.

Project: Memorize James 4:6. If you start to feel important or boastful, remember these three kings and confess your sin.


May 24, 2020 Daniel 7 – 8 God Controls World History

Look in any encyclopedia or book on American history and you can find information about the War of 1812, World War I, the election of President Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Those events are in the history books because they happened in the past.

Imagine flipping through the encyclopedia and finding the outcome of the 2024 presidential election or a description of a war in the 23rd century. Those things are not in the history books or encyclopedias because they haven’t happened yet. We can’t read about the future because no one knows what will happen.

God created time and He controls world history. He knows the future better than we know the past, and this week you will learn that He gave Daniel a glimpse of the future.

Dan. 7:1 In the first year of Belshazzar’s reign (553 B.C.), Daniel had a dream, described in this chapter.

Dan. 7:3 What came up out of the sea?

Dan. 7:4 Describe the first beast:

Dan. 7:5 Describe the second beast:

Dan. 7:6 Describe the third beast:

Dan. 7:7 Describe the fourth beast:

God told Daniel the four beasts represented four kings (Dan. 7:17). Bible scholars agree that the first represented Babylon; the second represented Medo-Persia, which conquered Babylon in 539 B.C.; the third represented Greece under Alexander the Great, which conquered Medo-Persia in 331 B.C.; and the fourth represented the


Roman Empire, which rose to world domination in the century before Jesus Christ was born.

Dan. 7:8 What came up among the ten horns? What did the “little horn” do?

The little horn represents the Antichrist, who will rise to rule the world during the Tribulation.

Dan. 7:9 Who did Daniel see next? Describe Him:

Dan. 7:10 Hundreds of millions of people stood before Him, and He judged them out of His books. Compare this to Revelation 20:11-15.

Dan. 7:11 What happened to the fourth beast?

Dan. 7:12 What happened to the other beasts?

Dan. 7:13 Who do you think this is?

Dan. 7:14 How long will His kingdom last?

Daniel was very troubled by this vision (verses 15-16). He wanted to know what it meant.

Dan. 7:17 What were the four beasts?

Daniel wanted to understand the meaning of the fourth beast with ten horns, and he was especially curious about the little horn (verses 19-20).

Dan. 7:24 What did the ten horns represent? What will the little horn do?


Dan. 7:25 What will he say? What will he do to the saints of God? How long will he have power?

Dan. 7:26-27 Will Antichrist be able to stop God’s judgment? His kingdom will be taken away. To whom will it be given?

Concluding Thoughts: In 553 B.C., God gave Daniel a detailed description of things that didn’t happen until 14 years later (Medo-Persia’s conquest of Babylon), 222 years later (Greece’s conquest of Persia), and 500 years later (Rome’s conquest of the world). He also revealed to Daniel some things that still haven’t come to pass.

God can reveal the future because He controls it. It is no accident the United States is the greatest power on earth right now – it is part of God’s plan. If the U.S. falls and another nation rises to world power, that, too, will be God’s plan. We study history in the past, but God knows and controls history in the future.

Does it matter that God controls the future? What good is that to us? It gives us peace and assurance, knowing that things aren’t spinning out of control, even if they seem to us like they are.

Read Daniel 7:18, 22, and 27. All those verses have good news for Christians, because they tell us the saints (believers) will possess the kingdom forever. God controls the future, and He has good plans for us! Hallelujah!

Thank God right now that He controls world history and that He has good plans for you.

______________________________________________________ Project: Memorize Jeremiah 29:11. When you hear troubling news this week, remember that God is in control.


May 31, 2020 Daniel 9 – 12 Understanding God’s Word

Do you have trouble understanding the Bible? Do you sometimes run your eyes over a passage of scripture, but not really get anything out of it? Do you often feel the need to ask others what Bible passages mean? Do you ever struggle to grasp the overall message of the Bible? Do you want to understand the Bible?

If you answered “Yes” to any of those questions, this week’s lesson may open a new realm of Bible understanding for you.

The last four chapters of Daniel contain prophecies of future events. Some of those prophecies have already been literally fulfilled, while others tell of things still to come in the future.

Dan. 9:1 The year was 539 B.C., and Darius had been made ruler of the realm of the Chaldeans.

Dan. 9:2 What did Daniel want to understand?

Daniel was reading the book of Jeremiah, and was especially interested in Jeremiah 25:11-12 and 29:10. Read those verses. How long did Jeremiah say the captivity would last? ___________

Daniel was taken captive in 604 B.C., and it was now 539 B.C. How long had Daniel been in captivity (604 – 539 = ____ years)?

Why do you think Daniel was so interested in this prophecy?

Dan. 9:3 Daniel really wanted to understand God’s Word. Look at the things he did: “And I _______ my ________ unto the Lord God, to seek by __________ and supplications, with ___________, and _____________, and _________.”


Dan. 9:4 Daniel prayed and did what? After confessing his sin, the prophet praised God.

Dan. 9:5 “We have __________, and have committed ____________, and have done ____________, and have ____________, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments.” Daniel confessed the sins of his people.

Dan. 9:6 What other sin did Daniel confess?

Daniel humbled himself before the Lord, confessed his own sin, and then confessed the sins of his people. Next, he admitted Israel’s sin had brought about terrible judgment, of which God had repeatedly warned them. In verses 16-19, Daniel begged for God’s mercy upon Jerusalem.

Dan. 9:20 What was Daniel doing?

Dan. 9:21 Who appeared to Daniel?

Dan. 9:22 Why had Gabriel come?

Dan. 9:23 When was he commanded to come to Daniel?

Dan. 9:24 “Seventy _________ are determined upon thy __________ and upon thy holy ________.”

The word translated weeks literally means “sevens.” The seventy weeks represented 70 groups of 7 years, or a total of 490 years. These prophecies relate to Daniel’s people (the Jews) and his city (Jerusalem).

Dan. 9:25 How many weeks will pass from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem (Neh. 2:1-8) until the Messiah?

Dan. 9:26 What will happen to the Messiah and the city?


Dan. 9:27 This verse points to the seven-year Tribulation, which will be the 70th week. We are now living in the gap between the 69th and 70th weeks (Jesus called it the “times of the Gentiles” in Luke 21:24).

In chapter 10, Daniel learned that spiritual warfare delayed the answer to his prayer. This should remind us that understanding God’s Word is a spiritual matter, and Satan wants to hinder us. Chapters 11 and 12 predict Israel’s history between Daniel’s time and the coming of Christ, as well as the future Tribulation and final judgments. Daniel admitted that he couldn’t understand everything he heard. He was told that some of those future predictions wouldn’t be understood until they come to pass.

Concluding Thoughts: Daniel wanted to understand God’s Word, so he earnestly asked God to give him understanding. He confessed his sin, as well as the sins of his nation. He praised God and acknowledged that what God had done to Israel was right and just. He accepted what God said without arguing or complaining.

Daniel set a good example for us to follow.

Before you read the Bible, ask God to give you understanding. Confess your sin, praise God, and tell the Lord you will accept what He says. Then read the Bible. You may be amazed how much you understand.

One more thing: God sent an angel to explain the scripture to Daniel, but He won’t send an angel to you for that purpose. Unlike Daniel, you have the New Testament – the complete revelation of God through Jesus Christ. You also have the Holy Spirit living inside (John 14:26), whose job is to teach you the scripture.

Project: Memorize Psalm 66:18. Pick up a new Sunday School Member Quarterly and begin the Daily Bible Readings on Monday. Before you read the Bible, confess your sin, ask for understanding, praise God, and commit to accept what He says.

Documents

Sp 2020 Ezekiel Daniel - Morningside Baptistmorningside.ws/.../2020/02/Sp-2020-Ezekiel-Daniel.pdf · 8 Sunday School Member Quarterly, Spring 2020, Ezekiel, Daniel Introduction to