Begin by praying together.

Memory Verse

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) – ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Younger Group (Preschool-3rd) Family Devotional Section

Introduction

Today’s lesson is from Daniel chapter 4. This chapter is a letter that king Nebuchadnezzar wrote to all the people in his kingdom.

King Nebuchadnezzar was the king of Babylon and he was very powerful, he ruled over all the kingdoms of the earth. He was not a man of God. He was a pagan man that worshipped idols. But in Daniel chapter 4 we learn that king Nebuchadnezzar had a dramatic experience that changed him and this experience taught him about God.

Read – Daniel 4

1. What plant was in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream? (a large tree, Dan. 4: 10)
2. What did the dream mean? (God would force King Nebuchadnezzar to live like an animal and take the kingdom away from him, Dan. 4:25-27)
3. What did Nebuchadnezzar do when God restored his mind? (Nebuchadnezzar praised God and said God is in control of all things, Dan. 4:34-37)
4. Why do you think God did what He did with Nebuchadnezzar? (Allow discussions. Help kids understand that God loved Nebuchadnezzar. God wanted Nebuchadnezzar to know Him and see that He is all-powerful and in control. Nebuchadnezzar was prideful and living for his own glory, and only God deserves glory.)
5. Why do you think pride is such a bad thing? (Allow discussion. Guide the kids to understand that pride tries to take glory away from God. He is the only One who deserves glory. Apart from God we are nothing. We owe Him everything, including our praise!)
6. What are some ways that will help us avoiding being prideful? (Allow discussions. Help the kids understand that everything we do is to bring praise to God-when we do anything keep in mind that it is for God.)

Older Group (4^th-Teen) Family Devotional Section

Introduction

Today’s lesson is from Daniel chapter 4. This chapter is a letter that king Nebuchadnezzar wrote to all the people in his kingdom.

King Nebuchadnezzar was the king of Babylon and he was very powerful, he ruled over all the kingdoms of the earth. He was not a man of God. He was a pagan man that worshipped idols. But in Daniel chapter 4 we learn that king Nebuchadnezzar had a dramatic experience that changed him and this experience taught him about God.

Read – Daniel 4

1. What was the meaning of king Nebuchadnezzar’s dream?
   • The dream was about king Nebuchadnezzar and about his kingdom. Through this dream, God revealed that king Nebuchadnezzar would lose his kingdom, his authority, and even his sanity for a set period of time. God was going to humble king Nebuchadnezzar and then after he was humbled God would restore everything.
2. Why did God allow these bad things to happen to king Nebuchadnezzar?
   •  God wanted to humble king Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 4:17). God wanted to save king Nebuchadnezzar from his pride and sin (Luke 9:25)
3. What advice did Daniel give to king Nebuchadnezzar?
   • Daniel told king Nebuchadnezzar to repent and to do right so that God would not punish him (Dan 4:27).
4. God cares even about our enemies. God wants us to pray for our enemies so that they will be saved. Who can you pray for?
5. We know that Daniel and his friends told king Nebuchadnezzar the truth about God. They were witnesses for the truth. Who can you be a witness for?
6. Insanity is becoming more and more common these days. King Nebuchadnezzar lost his sanity because he was very prideful and sinful. What things should we do in our life to make sure we always have a healthy mind?

• • Fear God and follow him (Ps 111:10).
  • Meditate on the Bible (Ps 119:99).
  • Be humble before God (2 Sam 22:28, Matt 23:12).
  • Worship God only (Deut 8:19).