Thriving in Babylon: Week 6 PERSPECTIVE
Are we surviving culture or thriving? Are we enduring or influencing?
Week 6 - PERSPECTIVE Daniel 5
Tuesday - Wednesday: Read Daniel 5, 1 Corinthians 2:14-16, Job 15:4, Psalm 90:12, James 4:14
(MENE - Numbered) Daniel 5:25
Why do so many spend their lives ignoring the fact that someday they will die? In Psalms, they write as God to teach him that his days are numbered. How does this bring wisdom?
Final thought: Daniel was different than the kings and leaders of Babylon. He lived as if his days are numbered. When you live this way you start living for the Kingdom that will never end instead of the one you find yourself in.
Thursday - Friday: Read Daniel 5:25, Exodus 31:18, John 8:1-11, Hebrews 9:27, Romans 3:23
(Weighted - Tekel)
This is one of only 3 times where in the Bible we see the finger of God. What if anything is similar in all three stories? How does Jesus in John 8 show both judgment and forgiveness?
In the ancient days, a scale was used in situations of judging. On one side was the standard, on the other was what they would put on the scale to see if what they had measured up or was found “wanting”. How does Jesus help us measure upon the scales of ultimate judgment? How will the glory of Jesus balance our scale and not find us wanting?
The Hebrew meaning for Daniel is - “God is my Judge”. Daniel knew who his judge was and who his judge was not. This is why he lived with so much peace and courage. He lived to please God, not Nebuchadnezzar, not Belshazar, not even himself. He had the right perspective. What is your perspective on judgment? Are you constantly worried about the judgment of others? Do you find peace in knowing Jesus will take your judgment?
Saturday - Sunday Read Daniel 5:25,Philippians 2:6-11, Romans 6:23, John 19:23, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8
(Parsin - Divided)
When thinking about division, or being divided what comes to mind? In what areas do you see the world divided today? The church? When you think about division, about sin, ask yourself this; From what you have read and learned, how was Jesus himself numbered, weighed, and divided for you? How does First Corinthians 15:1-8 speak into this?
