Keys of the Kingdom.
He desperately desires
z people around him have every reason to give him answers,
Daniel Review 2
Review & Introduction
In Daniel one we found that Daniel and many others had
been taken captive. We saw that the king of Babylon
attempted through various ‘gifts’ to steal the heart of
Daniel and his friends. However, Daniel had given his
heart to God, and as a result was able to be used to
influence the world for Him. Giving our hearts to God was
then, and is now the first step to true success. Daniel two
focuses on the second step which is equally important:
Maintaining a connection with God. As we study this
chapter, our confidence in the Bible will grow. We will
see that what God predicted 2,500 years in advance
actually happened. This prophecy comes right down to
our day and tells how the world will end. While we are
sure you will enjoy learning about this prophecy, the most
important lesson you will learn is how to maintain a vital
connection with God through prayer.
Let’s read Daniel 2:1-11
What problem is the king facing? Who is he looking to
for answers?
Note: None of these ‘wise’ men were really wise. They all
relied on trickery of different types. Magicians can stand
right in front of you and deceive you. Astrologers can
supposedly tell you the future by looking to the stars.
Sorcery is seeking the truth through communication with
the spirits of the dead who give the needed answers to your
problems. The Chaldeans were probably the most believable
people of the day. Many of their discoveries still are in use
today. However when it came to knowing the king’s dream,
each of these groups were powerless.
What did the [Type here] them if they would tell him
king promise
the truth about the dream?
Note: How likely is it that you can get the truth by
promising gifts, rewards, or promising fame or honor?
As we can see, the king is perplexed.
to know the truth but has surrounded himself with liars. The
even if they don’t know the truth. Unfortunately the king is
not the only person who has experienced such problems.
Today many desire to know the truth but have either
knowingly or naively surrounded themselves with lies or
liars.
What is the last thing the king tries?
Note: Many operate on this model. There is no real heart
appreciation for one another. Through gifts, rewards, and idle
promises they manipulate one another and ultimately get
angry if someone doesn’t do what they say.
Did any of these ‘wise men’ really have a connection with
God? (verse 11)
Note: When the dust settled, they had to admit they had
absolutely no connection with God. No matter how much time
or how many rewards they were given, they were helpless to
do anything for the king. Today each person is surrounded by
those who are truly wise as a result of seeking God’s wisdom
(James 1:5), or unwise as a result of having no connection
with God.
Read Daniel 2:12-13
What happened as a result of the method the king used to
discover the truth? (verses 12,13)
Note: Ultimately this method does not lead to truth but to
frustration, alienation, vengeance, and death. Those who
‘preyed’ on the king became the ‘prey’ of the king. What a
telling picture of a life without connection with God.
Read Daniel 2:14-19
What differences do we see between the ‘wise men’ of
Babylon and Daniel and his friends?
Note: Daniel asked for time to inquire of God. He and his
friends had already shown their integrity by being obedient to
God in what many would call ‘little things’. They had not
accepted the many gifts the king offered (chapter one) and
were thus more trustworthy. They told the truth and were
honest. They had a vital connection with God that the others
were lacking. Instead of preying on the king they began
praying for the king. Their heart’s desire was that he
would know the truth.
Read Daniel 2:20-24
What did Daniel do when the truth about the dream was
revealed?
Note: He asks that the other ‘wise’ men not be killed, even
though it was their dishonesty which had endangered his
very life. When someone is godly “they are not willing that
any should perish, but all should come to repentance.” (2
Peter 3:9) Daniel and his friends had a vital connection with
God. There are steps to having this kind of relationship with
God. They had given their hearts to Him (step one) and had
maintained a vital connection with Him (step two).
Read 2 Chronicles 7:14
How do we stay connected with God?
Note: Daniel and his friends were God’s people. (Daniel’s
very name meant “God is my judge”) This promise had come
true in their case and it can in ours as well.
Do you know how to pray? Is there anything more you
can learn about prayer?
Note: The Bible says none of us pray as we ought (Romans
8:26). No matter how good our prayers may be, the Spirit
prays for us. All of us can learn more about prayer. Here are
some Scriptural questions which lead to a vibrant prayer life.
We have seen amazing things happen as people ask these
questions. Allow the Holy Spirit to bring things or situations
to your mind.
1. What is it that I have to be thankful for? (1
Thessalonians 5:18)
2. What is coming between me and You, God? (Psalm
19:12-14)
3. What is coming between me and others? (Psalm
139:23-24)
Note: As soon as God reveals what is coming between you
and Him, or as soon as He reveals what’s coming between
you and another person, confess the sin and claim the promise
of 1 John 1:9. “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.” This is so important! Remember God’s
love is unconditional, but His forgiveness is not. Spirit-led
confession to God is a key in maintaining a vital relationship
with God.
4. With what do you want to fill my life? (Galatians 5:22-23)
Note: Jesus told of a person healed of demon possession. He
likens it to a house that was emptied and swept clean. Then
He tells how the devil returned with seven more wicked
spirits. (Matthew. 12:43-45) The point of Christ’s story is
that we not only need to be emptied by the Spiri, but we also
need to be then filled by the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 is a list
of the fruits with which God wants us to be filled. The Bible
says He is much more willing to give us the Holy Spirit than
we are to give good gifts to our children. (Luke 11:13)
 5. What do you want me to do right now, Lord? (Acts
9:6)
z Next Time
SEVENTH-DAY
ADVENTIST
Note: This last question brings all the others
together. After you praise God and ask forgiveness Next week we will focus on the last half of this amazing
for wrongs between you and Him, and have made chapter. We will look at a prophecy that spans 2,500 years,
things right between you and others, you are pure. from Daniel’s day till the time of the end.

CHURCH
Then Lord can then reveal to you His will for that
time or situation. Of course it is best to do this in the
morning. God says, “I love them that love me; and Do You Desire…
those that seek me early shall find me.” Proverbs 1. To maintain a vital connection with God through
8:17
prayer and Bible study? GOLDIE MARKET
Read Daniel 2:25-30 (notice especially the last part of 2. To surround yourself with those who are wise and CARE GROUP LESSON
verse 30) godly? THEME:
What do these verses teach us about God’s desire for the
king? Keys of the
Kingdom
Note: Daniel 2 shows us that God is interested in a heart-
to-heart relationship with us. He desires to communicate
directly with us, just as He did with the King. As we give
our hearts to Him (step one) and learn to maintain a vital
connection with Him through prayer and Bible study (step
two), He is able to reveal to us what is best. Come and experience the
Creative power of the word God. Gen.1:1
Let Us Summarize
Fulfilling power of the word of God. Isa.55:11
In our first lesson we discovered that giving our hearts to Life-giving power of the Word of God. Heb.4:12.
God as Daniel did is the first step to true success. In this Discerning power of the word of God. Heb.4:12
lesson we saw that the second step for continued
spiritual success is found through maintaining
Upholding/sustaining power of the word of God
connection with God. We saw that there were two Heb.1:3; Ps.119:116
groups of people that surrounded King Nebuchadnezzar,
those who lied and preyed on the king and those who
The WORD BECAME FLESH.
told the truth and prayed for the king. John.1:14

Suggested Memory Text

“But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and
maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be
in the latter days.” Daniel 2:28

[Type here]