BIG IDEA
There is a king mentioned in the book of Daniel who gets only one chapter of Scripture dedicated to him. This king, King Belshazzar, destroyed his life, and his story is devastating from start to finish. In our Bible study today, we will look at how he destroyed his life and learn from his example of what to avoid and what to do so that we will not make the same mistakes as he did.
BREAK THE ICE
Thanksgiving is coming up. What is one food you have tried to make, whether during Thanksgiving or another time, that failed? What happened?
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Bible Study
1. Daniel 5 begins by introducing a new king of Babylon, Belshazzar. Take a few moments to think about what Belshazzar should have known and learned based on Nebuchadnezzar's successes and failures.
WATCH SERMON RECAP
2. Read Daniel 5:1-6. What actions of Belshazzar and the rest of the people at his dinner party disappointed God?
Daniel 5:1-6
" Many years later King Belshazzar gave a great feast for 1,000 of his nobles, and he drank wine with them. 2 While Belshazzar was drinking the wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver cups that his predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar, had taken from the Temple in Jerusalem. He wanted to drink from them with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines. 3 So they brought these gold cups taken from the Temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. 4 While they drank from them they praised their idols made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone. 5 Suddenly, they saw the fingers of a human hand writing on the plaster wall of the king's palace, near the lampstand. The king himself saw the hand as it wrote, 6 and his face turned pale with fright. His knees knocked together in fear and his legs gave way beneath him."
" Many years later King Belshazzar gave a great feast for 1,000 of his nobles, and he drank wine with them. 2 While Belshazzar was drinking the wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver cups that his predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar, had taken from the Temple in Jerusalem. He wanted to drink from them with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines. 3 So they brought these gold cups taken from the Temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. 4 While they drank from them they praised their idols made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.
5 Suddenly, they saw the fingers of a human hand writing on the plaster wall of the king's palace, near the lampstand. The king himself saw the hand as it wrote, 6 and his face turned pale with fright. His knees knocked together in fear and his legs gave way beneath him."
3. Read Daniel 5:13-16. Contrast the differences between Daniel and all of the king's wise men.
Daniel 5:13-16
"So Daniel was brought in before the king. The king asked him, "Are you Daniel, one of the exiles brought from Judah by my predecessor, King Nebuchadnezzar? 14 I have heard that you have the spirit of the gods within you and that you are filled with insight, understanding, and wisdom. 15 My wise men and enchanters have tried to read the words on the wall and tell me their meaning, but they cannot do it. 16 I am told that you can give interpretations and solve difficult problems. If you can read these words and tell me their meaning, you will be clothed in purple robes of royal honor, and you will have a gold chain placed around your neck. You will become the third highest ruler in the kingdom."
4.Read Daniel 5:25-31. Summarize God's message to Belshazzar in these verses. In what ways did Belshazzar destroy His life?
Daniel 5:25-31
"This is the message that was written: Mene, mene, tekel, and Parsin. 26 This is what these words mean: Mene means 'numbered'-God has numbered the days of your reign and has brought it to an end.27 Tekel means 'weighed'-you have been weighed on the balances and have not measured up.28 Parsin means 'divided'-your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians." 29 Then at Belshazzar's command, Daniel was dressed in purple robes, a gold chain was hung around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom. 30 That very night Belshazzar, the Babylonian king, was killed. 31 And Darius the Mede took over the kingdom at the age of sixty-two."
"This is the message that was written: Mene, mene, tekel, and Parsin. 26 This is what these words mean:
Mene means 'numbered'-God has numbered the days of your reign and has brought it to an end.27 Tekel means 'weighed'-you have been weighed on the balances and have not measured up.28 Parsin means 'divided'-your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians."
29 Then at Belshazzar's command, Daniel was dressed in purple robes, a gold chain was hung around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom.
30 That very night Belshazzar, the Babylonian king, was killed.
31 And Darius the Mede took over the kingdom at the age of sixty-two."
Application
1. One of the ways that Belshazzar destroyed his life was not taking God seriously. What is one area of your life where you need to take God and His instructions more seriously?
2. Belshazzar finally brought someone into his life who could speak the truth and point him to God. Who in your life points you to Christ?
3.What lesson from Belshazzar's story stands out to you, and what action steps can you take to avoid his mistakes?
Moving Forward
Daniel was fearless when it came to sharing God's message, even when sharing His message could have cost Him greatly. Who can you reach out to this week and share your two-minute story with? Reach out to them today and schedule a time to get a meal or coffee. Then, when you meet them in person, share your two-minute story and explain the difference Christ has made in your life.
Going Deeper
Belshazzar’s story in Daniel 5 reminds us of the importance of surrounding ourselves with people who point us to God. When we live life in community with other Christians and followers of Christ, we are stronger and more confident in our faith. Let’s look at what Scripture says about the impact of surrounding ourselves in a godly community.
When We Surround Ourselves with Godly People, We are Held Accountable:
One of the benefits of living in a godly community is accountability. When we have friends and family members who point us toward God, they will call us out when we are living in a way that dishonors God. They will help us when we are struggling with temptation and more. Spend a few minutes looking at what Scripture teaches about accountability.
1. Read James 5:16.
James 5:16
"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results."
2. Summarize this verse in your own words.
3. What is the impact of prayer and confession, which are vital parts of accountability?
4. How have you seen the positive impact of accountability in your life?
When We Surround Ourselves with Godly People, We Receive Godly Advice:
This may seem obvious, but when we surround ourselves with people who point us to Christ, we can trust that they will give us advice that points us to Christ. After all, a person can only advise others according to their spiritual maturity. Take the next few minutes to explore the impact of surrounding yourself with people who give godly advice.
1. Read Proverbs 11:14.
Proverbs 11:14
""Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers."
2. In your own words, what is this verse teaching about having godly people to give us advice?
3. What is the impact of having godly advisors? What happens when we do not have godly advisors?
4. Describe a time someone gave you godly advice when you needed it.
Encouragement:
We all get tired at times. We all feel discouraged at points in our lives. Godly friends are there for us during those times to encourage and keep us going. Look at what Scripture tells us about why we need godly friends who encourage us.
1. Read Hebrews 10:23-25
Hebrews 10:23-25
"Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."
2. How does this passage of Scripture call us to live?
3. Why is encouragement vital?
4. Who is someone who encourages well? How do they do this?
Reflect:Reflect with your group members on this passage of Scripture that you read.
1. Which of these qualities, giving accountability, giving godly advice, or giving encouragement, comes most naturally to you? Which is the least natural for you?
2. Which of the qualities we discussed do you need the most in your life right now? How can this group help you in that area?
3. When it comes to the people you surround yourself with, who is particularly impactful to you and points you to Christ.
What is a need that you have in your life right now? Part of the privilege of being in community is that we get to pray for each other. Spend some time praying for the needs of your group. Commit to continue praying throughout the week.
MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)
And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6
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